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Listen
Well? Issue 4: Spring/Summer 2004
Initiatives in Action
movin' aboot
Issues such as social isolation and the lack of opportunities to feel a sense of achievement are all contributory factors in making people feel old, isolated and worthless. However, a survey carried out in the early 90s by Health Promotions and Community Education in Grampian, highlighted the need for basic training in exercise and movement for people working with frailer and less able older people.
movin' aboot is a course which covers the basic knowledge and skills required to lead simple music and movement sessions with less mobile older people, and is aimed at staff and volunteers working in a caring or nursing environment including day centres, lunch clubs, community groups, hospitals, care homes and sheltered housing.
Since a successful pilot scheme in 1996,
movin' aboot has run 28 courses, training 400 people from the North East and Highland.
The five-day course, which was devised by chartered physiotherapist, Edna Matthew, balances theory and practical work, and covers the basics of music and movement including:
basic anatomy, physiology and movement
the effects of ageing on the body
planning a programme and choosing music
leading a group and effective communication
simple equipment to add interest to exercise
exercise and disease
safety issues.
Says Marjory D'Arcy,
movin' aboot chairperson: "So far, we have provided courses in Grampian and the Highlands where we also offer further support whereby members receive yearly refresher courses and have access to local equipment banks. We are also currently reviewing other options for development.
"The course has many benefits including sharing experiences and networking, enhanced understanding of older people's health issues and the benefits of physical activity and follow up support."
Comments from older people include, "We feel good after exercise and enjoy the cheerful music," and, "We look forward to getting together to exercise, reminisce and share a cup of tea afterwards."
Marjory D'Arcy,
"movin' aboot"
t: 01224 722546
t:m.c.darcy@talk21.com
Singing and Mental Health in Older Age
Call That Singing is a project based in Glasgow aimed at older people - who think they can't sing. In fact, everyone can, and they can make a good sound when they get together in big numbers.
Call That Singing runs fun rehearsals attracting some 200 people every week, who then go out into the community and perform for others. There are no auditions and the project is open to people of all ages and abilities.
Participatory singing for older people has been found to have a number of benefits to mental health including:
Marked improvements in perceptions to emotional well-being, particularly amongst those who were widowed; participatory singing was perceived to be pleasurable, fun, uplifting and relaxing and has helped to counter depression, grief and concerns with physical health.
Improvements in social life;
Call That Singing was giving people the opportunity to get out of the house, meet new people, make new friends and develop a network from which to socialise beyond rehearsal nights.
Improvements to self-confidence which were manifesting themselves in participants' pleasure in their improved singing skills and abilities to perform for others; some participants had been helped to overcome personal fears and are now entertaining others and enjoying improved social lives.
Improvements in singing skills and general understanding of music were increasing self-confidence, leading to increased visits to arts and cultural events.
Improvements to general quality of life confirmed the view that participatory singing was combating the potentially negative effects of ageing, along with the debilitating effects of bereavement, widowhood, declining health and isolation.
Sue Hillman,
Call That Singing
t: 0141 337 3336
e:callthatsinging@mac.com
CUMBERNAULD INITIATIVE TARGETS OLDER MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH
A recent report on older people from the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) highlighted the multiple impacts that loneliness can have. The shocking figures showed that 32 older people in the UK die alone and unnoticed in their homes every year, and that one in 10 people over 65 suffer from depression.
Cumbernauld Action for Care of the Elderly (CACE) is a voluntary organisation that has been trying to make life better for older people by providing them with a number of services.
The aim of the project is to encourage older men who are suffering from mild to moderate mental health problems including depression, to engage in services through men's support groups. They are then supported in planning a programme to meet their needs and to take preventative action on their own health and well-being which is monitored through the use of a number of tools, including the geriatric depression scale.
The pilot project follows a previously successful initiative, aimed at both men and women and a number of issues arising from an independent evaluation of that project have been taken into consideration, explains CACE project manager, Annie Millar: "It was felt that men had different interests from women, and that this would influence the type of activities they undertake. It was also felt that, as men have proven difficult to engage in relation to their health, the suggestion of setting up a men's group would encourage their involvement, as well as increasing the availability of support on a regular basis. Other support mechanisms will include assistance from local volunteers to access community services and a telephone befriending service."
The project aims to enable older men to build their confidence to undertake more activities and participate more in the community. Some of the factors that contributed to the success of the previous project were the successful partnership working with the community psychiatric nursing services and local health care co-operative, the commitment of local volunteers and staff, and the fact that clients felt there was a greater sense of security given that they all had a common clinical experience - depression.
"Everyone involved in the development will be striving to ensure that the lessons learned from the previous project will contribute to the success of this new scheme."
Annie Millar
Cumbernauld Action for Care of the Elderly
t: 01236 451393
e:care@cace.fsbusiness.co.uk
Paths to Health
According to research, exercise can be as effective as psychotherapy. One American study even suggests it is better than medication.
Nanette Mutrie, professor of physical activity and health science at Glasgow University's Centre for Exercise, Science and Medicine, says: "Regular physical activity can have a positive influence on reducing levels of depression. The research needs to be repeated, but it was a robust study."
Mary Allison, Scotland's physical activity co-ordinator, needs no convincing of the links between physical activity and good mental health: "The Executive is committed to improving the level of physical activity in Scotland for all age groups. A series of initiatives is already underway including a national Health Walking for Scotland project."
Mary Allison, Scottish Executive
e:mary.allison@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
t: 0131 244 4153
For more information on
Health Walking For Scotland
contact
Paths For All Partnership, Alloa
t: 01259 218855
www.pathstohealth.org.uk
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