Welcome to a Discussion about Ageing Well Together

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Welcome to a Discussion about Ageing Well
Together
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Ageing Well TogetherIntegral to the work of
Community Linksfunded by Nova Scotia Health
and Wellness
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CL Logo

• Community Links is a provincial organization that
  promotes healthy, age friendly communities and
  quality of life for Nova Scotia seniors through
  community development and volunteer action.

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Ageing Well Together Coalitions

• Through its Ageing Well Together Coalitions,
  Community Links supports awareness, action, and
  change with a focus on falls prevention, physical
  activity and other factors that promote healthy
  lifestyles and age friendly communities.

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• Community Links and its Ageing Well Together
  Coalitions follow a Population Health approach

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Key elements of the Population Health approach

• Focus on the root causes of a problem-as
  illustrated by the social determinants of health
• Take an upstream or preventative approach to
  the problem
• Work to improve the health status of all, while
  considering the special needs of certain
  populations
• Encourage partnerships and cooperation between
  sectors
• Find flexible and multidimensional solutions for
  complex problems
• Foster public involvement and community
  participation

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The Social Determinants of Health
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Ageing in Nova Scotia

• Nova Scotia has the highest percentage of seniors
  in Canada(15.4) (Statistics Canada, 2007).
• The percentage of seniors in the provinces
  population will nearly double by 2026 (Stats Can,
  2007).
• Each month 700 Nova Scotians turn 65.
• Are we Aging Well?

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Ageing Well Means

• Preventing falls and injuries
• Eating well
• Staying physically active
• Adopting positive health practices
• Staying socially connected
• Maintaining ones independence

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Preventing Falls and Injuries

• One in three seniors will fall this year
• Women are 3 times more likely than men to be
  hospitalized for a fall-related injury
• The older you are, the more likely you are to
  fall and be seriously injured
• 40 times more likely at 80 than 60

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Prevent Falls and Injuries

• Assess your personal falls risk with the help of
  the Are You in Danger of Falling Checklist
• Find and remove hazards with the help of the Home
  Assessment checklist
• Use night lights in halls bathrooms
• Wear safe footwear all day.
• Use reaching aids instead of climbing or bending
• Install railings on stairs inside and out
• Install grab bars in bathrooms
• Use rubber mats in tubs
• Take your time dont rush!

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Eat Well

• Do you eat a variety of foods from each food
  group every day? (Canada Food Guide)
• Do you often choose whole grain and enriched
  products?
• Do you often choose lower-fat foods and milk
  products?
• Do you select leaner meats, poultry and fish, or
  meat alternatives such as dried peas, beans and
  lentils?
• Do you eat at regular times?
• Do you eat breakfast every day?

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Be Physically Active

• Do you build some physical activity into your
  daily routine? Experts recommend 30 minutes/day,
  most days of the week.
• Have you had a check-up recently and talked to
  your doctor about increasing your physical
  activity?
• Have you checked into exercise programs for
  seniors available through your local seniors
  center, YM/YWCA, recreation centre?

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Adopt Positive Health Practices

• Have your vision checked once a year
• Have you hearing checked periodically and
  maintain your hearing aids in good condition
• Maintain diabetes in good control
• Be aware of your medications and their effects.
  Review you medications with your doctor or
  pharmacist periodically.
• If you smoke, get help to quit

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Stay Socially Connected

• Dont wait for friends and family to call you.
  Invite friends and neighbours over for coffee or
  a game of cards.
• Keeping active is the key to mental and physical
  health.
• If youve lost touch with friends, then join a
  seniors club in your area and make new ones.
• Check your local library or recreation
  department for programs and events that may
  interest you. Ask a friend to join you.

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Maintain Your Independence

• Canes, walkers, reachers, and grab bars are just
  a few of the assistive devices or mobility aids
  that can help keep you active in your community
  and involved with friends and family.
• They make daily life at work, home or play,
  easier and enhance your independence.
• There are many other options to help us keep our
  independence as we age. Your local library or
  District Health Authority is a good place to
  start.
• For assistance at home, call the Continuing Care
  line at
• 1-800-225-7225.

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What You Can Do

• Identify report falls hazards use the Are You
  in Danger of Falling and Home Assessment
  checklists.
• Think of ways to make your community more age
  friendly and talk to you municipality about them
• Talk to your friends about falls prevention
• Invite a speaker to your seniors or church group
• Host a mobility workshop

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Thank You
For more information or to request a speaker,
please contact Your Ageing Well Together
Coalition