Live Longer Better

We are facing a serious health crisis for older people across the country. The over 80s population will double within ten years, with the majority of those aged over 65 likely to experience poor health for more than half of their remaining years. The impact of COVID-19 is exacerbating these issues and makes this an urgent and vitally important problem.

Furthermore, a recent report produced by Age UK provides a harsh reminder of how our older people's resilience and self-sufficiency has been shattered by COVID-19. Sadly, the findings in this report convey just how frightened, depressed and isolated older people are feeling, with one in three people reporting less energy and one in four unable to walk as far as before.

It is vital that we act, now.

Active Oxfordshire is very proud to be able to work with Sir Muir Gray and his Optimal Ageing Programme to launch a transformational initiative designed to help older people "Live Longer Better."

Live Longer Better launched in late 2020 as a partnership between a number of Active Partnerships across the UK, to fully capture the issues faced by older people right across the country. By setting up a network with initially a small number of Active Partnerships and with Sir Muir Gray and Optimal Ageing, a powerful collaborative movement can be developed. This will address a population-based personalised system for Living Longer, Better and is set to reduce the need for health and social care.

This collaboration between Optimal Ageing and Active Partnerships provides a unique combination of skills and resources, bringing together the cultures of coaching, and health and social care.

In January 2022, the Live Longer Better movement held the sixth National Thought Leadership Event. This event saw the highest number of delegate attendees to date at 300, taking the overall total to 1,272 since the movement began.

Presentations included "Celebrating Longevity rather than Fearing Ageing" by Sir Muir Gray; "The Impact of COVID-19 on older people's physical and mental health" by Dr Lis Boulton, Age UK and why "The Benefits outweight the risk" by Ruth Bell of Sport England.

100% of event evaluation responders considered that the event met their expectations.

92% of responders would be highly likely to recommend future Live Longer Better events to colleagues and stakeholders.

For more information about Live Longer Better and to find out how to get involved and achieve transformational change for older people, please contact Richard Claydon, Strategic Health Lead for Active Oxfordshire.

Cover image from Department of Health/Make Sport Fun