Planning for the future

Health promotion refers to activities that make it easier for people to improve their lifestyle, health and wellbeing. Age Concern delivers health promotion activities about, and for, older people.

Mind and body

• Maintaining independence and preventing falls with falls prevention programmes, including Tai Chi, Strength and Balance exercises and Step Ahead. Check the courses available in your area with your local Age Concern.
• Planning for ageing with Ageing is Living, a resource for people 40+.
• Working for men's health to raise awareness of men’s health issues, and provide 'men-friendly' health promotions.
• Encouraging older people to keep active for long term health and well-being. Your local Age Concern can tell you what’s available locally, or phone 0800 ACTIVE (0800 228 483) for individual support and advice from the Green Prescription team.

Education and information

• Continuing driving safely - delivering the Safe With Age programme for mature drivers.
• Keeping healthy and adapting to the changes that occur in older age – contact your local Age Concern for more information.
• Celebrating and promoting International Day of Older Persons, Men’s Health Week, and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
• Advocating to local and national bodies so that policies support the participation of older people in society at all levels. View national Age Concern submissions.
• Educating people working with older people about Elder Abuse and Neglect prevention.
• Helping the local and national media to spread the word about the realities (rewards and challenges) of ageing and to reduce outdated stereotypes about ageing. Contact your local Age Concern if you have a good story to tell.

Social interaction

• Reducing loneliness and making new friends. Age Concern runs the Accredited Visiting Service which matches trained volunteers with lonely or isolated older people/koroua/kuia.
• Linking the generations through activities with children that keep them in touch with seniors in positive ways. Age Concern is always interested in ideas for projects, or good stories – contact Age Concern New Zealand.
• Making new friends and keeping involved - either by volunteering to work with Age Concern or particpating in Age Concern social and leisure activities. Contact your local Age Concern.

Socio-economic status, social isolation, and poor housing are all factors that contribute to poor health. If you are concerned about an issue that affects the wellbeing of a group or population of older people please contact your local Age Concern.

Bibliography

The Bibliography of New Zealand population ageing research June 2005 – December 2008. 

A treasure trove of information designed to promote and enhance New Zealand research on population ageing.

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