Health and Wellbeing

We know that what happens during the first few years of life (starting in the womb) has lifelong effects on the health and wellbeing of a child – from obesity, heart disease and mental wellbeing, as well as success at school and later working life. We also know that the choices parents’ make for themselves can support or make it difficult for children to develop healthy habits.

Start4Life website is the place to go for trusted NHS help and advice during pregnancy, birth and parenthood. It gives advice of how to eat well and keep active during pregnancy, helping to ensure you have an uncomplicated delivery and healthy baby. It helps new parents understand about how best to feed a new baby by explaining the benefits of breastfeeding and when to introduce solid foods. There is also a section about the best foods for toddlers and tips to keep them active.

These days, 'modern life' can mean that children are a lot less active. With so many opportunities to watch TV or play computer games, and with so much convenience and fast food available, children don't move about as much, or eat as well as we used to. Nine out of 10 of our kids today could grow up with dangerous amounts of fat in their bodies. This can cause life-threatening diseases like cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The Change 4 Life website helps families ‘Eat Well, Move More and Live Longer’, it helps parents understand what foods keep children strong and healthy, it has loads of easy to cook recipes and lots and lots of ideas to keep kids fit and active. You can find information about

C4L Recipes            Healthy Snacks               Food labels               Get Kids Active

Look After Yourself - One You

Poor health and around 40% of all deaths of adults in England is related to everyday habits and behaviours – such as eating too much unhealthy food, drinking too much alcohol, not being active enough or continuing to smoke. They also cost the NHS more than £11 billion every year.

One You can help you avoid future diseases caused by modern lifestyles by taking control of your health by eating a healthier diet, drinking less alcohol, exercising more, and quitting smoking. One You will help you enjoy a longer and healthier life.

One You encourages you to think about your life and the choices you make, by putting yourself first and making some changes to improve your own health and feel good about yourself. It’s never too late - making changes such as eating well, drinking less alcohol, quitting smoking or being more active can double your chances of being healthy at 70 and beyond. Think about the small changes you can make.  

Take this free online health quiz, called ‘How Are You’, to identify where you can make changes in your life. The quiz provides personalised recommendations and will direct you to tools and advice created by experts to help you take action where it’s most needed.

The One You website can help you understand more about

Quit Smoking                     Eat Better                             Sexual Health

Lose Weight                       Move More                            Sleep Better

Drink Less                          Diabetes                               Better Mental Health

Warrington Wellbeing Service

Wellbeing is about having a good quality of life; it can be described as feeling healthy, happy or being able to cope with the problems that can happen in life. There are many different issues that can affect your wellbeing; worries about money, feeling stuck in a rut, or maybe wanting help to change, for example quit smoking.

For more information click here

These courses are for adults age 18 and over in the Warrington Community.  Who are looking at improving their health and wellbeing.

I am I can Time for Me/Happiness

Mindfulness

Anxiety Management

Positive Thoughts

Looking after your mental wellbeing using - www.happyoksad.org.uk

Youth Connect 5

Boost

Maketime

Dementia Friends

OFFLOAD

Budget Boosting

Creative Remedies

Getting to know your Tablet

Computers for the Terrified

Ageing Well

Blooming Art

All these courses are FREE and held in the local community - for more information click on the course you wish to attend

Happy? OK? Sad? is a mental health site for people who live or work in Warrington.

The site includes information about how to look after your mental wellbeing, as well as a directory of mental health support services. There’s also details of services you can contact if you can’t cope and need help right now. Local services are clearly marked and there’s a short description explaining what each service offers. The website is divided into age related pages, so you can quickly find the information and services most relevant to you. There’s also a page for frontline workers with links to free resources and training.

The aims of the Happy? OK? Sad? website are to make you aware of:

• simple things you can do to look after your mental wellbeing
• symptoms of common mental health problems
• services that can offer information, advice, support or treatment
• what to do if someone can’t cope and needs help right now

Dementia Prevention

Dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing.  Adoption of healthier lifestyles in midlife can reduce the risk of dementia. The World Health Organisation recommends reducing the risk or delaying the onset of dementia by helping people to:

• stop smoking
• be more active
• reduce their alcohol consumption
• improve their diet
• lose weight if necessary and maintain a healthy weight

Health Matters

Those who are at a higher risk of dementia are carer’s of people with dementia, over 65’s, females and those from Black and South Asian Groups.

The protective factors for dementia are keeping socially active, obtaining higher levels of education and cognitive stimulation such as puzzles or learning a second language.

Diagnosis and support

GP’s play a key role in recognising and identifying the symptoms of dementia and referring the person to the specialist Later Life and Memory Service (LLaMS)  The LLaMS service will then undertake a more detailed assessment of the person and may or may not diagnose them with dementia.

Memory Assessment/treatment

Living with Dementia

Upon being diagnosed with dementia there is a range of support available for those living with dementia and those caring for someone with dementia.  In Warrington there are a range of Dementia support groups or cafes across the town, see attachment names Dementia activities.

The Alzheimer’s society provide a care navigator service, to support the person upon diagnosis and their family through the Health and Social care systems ensuring they have the appropriate support they need.  Support can be delivered on a one to one basis or in a group setting.

Alzheimer's Society

The Wellbeing Service

The Wellbeing service provides one to one support for anyone living with dementia and their carers. Anyone can refer to the service and support can be provided for as long as is necessary. The service is also commissioned to provide a dementia navigation service which supports people diagnosed with dementia at the Later Life and Memory Service at Hollins Park and their carers. Support is provided under four areas, dementia friendly community activities, carer needs, equipment & benefit/income support.

Wellbeing Service

Dementia Friends

Wheels for all

Livewire Dementia friendly activities programme

There are respite and a day-care facilities available for those living with dementia in Warrington.  These can be accessed via social services and there will normally be a charge based on a financial assessment.

Telephone: 01925 443322
01925 444400 (out of hour emergencies)

E-mail: asc@warrington.gov.uk

Website: www.warrington.gov.uk/asc

There are numerous Care homes that provide care and support to persons living with Dementia.  These can also be accessed via Adult social care but more information is available here:  Care Homes

Support for carers is available from the local carers service –Wired which is based in the town centre. It is important that people who look after the person with dementia are fully supported in their caring role. Wired

Dying well

People with dementia should be able to choose their preferred place of care, where symptoms are controlled and care is focused on ensuring comfort at end of life.  Support is available to have early discussions about a persons’ wishes and their plans for their end of life care.  The Care navigators with the Wellbeing service or Alzheimer’s society.

There is a list of Dementia Activities in the download section on the right hand side.

It is widely recognised that people are living longer, due to both advances in medicine and the adoption of healthier lifestyles.  In Warrington, 20% of people are over 65years and the number of 80 year olds is projected to increase by 100% over the next 25 years.  It is therefore vital that as we age, we reap the benefits of living in a healthy, prosperous and socially inclusive life.

Here are 11 tops tips to Healthy ageing, to support people to do just that!  Each of the sections below contains advice, guidance and information on how to age well; covering a range of topics from financial planning to strength based exercises to keeping fit and prevent falls.

11 tops tips to ageing well….

1.    Flu jabs

2.    Winter months

3.    Keeping Active/Staying Strong and Fit 

 4.   Mental Health and Wellbeing - Keep Learning

5.    Health Check and Screening

6.    Eat a good healthy diet

7.    Regularly review your medication

8.     Involve yourself in the Community

9.     Check your benefit entitlement

10.    Keep Hydrated - take notice

11.    Independent Living

As life expectancy rises, ageing becomes all the more important. Promoting the concept of healthy ageing involves people thinking about a number of key aspects of their life as they get older. For more information click the leaflet below.

Healthy ageing leaflet

Falls Prevention

Warrington has an ageing population and falls are the most common adverse event for the elderly population. 1 in 3 over 65’s and 1 in 2 over 80 year olds will fall at least once a year.

Warrington has a significant public health issue in relation to falls, particularly for those over 65 years being admitted to hospital with an injury. Falls are costly to the individual, the NHS and the social care system.

It is suggested that the psychological effects of falling can sometimes be more damaging than the physical injuries that someone may sustain. A fall may mean:

-          Fear of future falls

-          Loss of confidence

-          Restriction in activities

-          Social withdrawal and loneliness / depression

This can create a vicious circle where a person becomes more sedentary, this in turn will affect their muscle strength and balance, and consequently increase their risk of a fall. Therefore, fear of falling must be addressed when trying to prevent future falls.

Poor muscle strength and balance are the two most common modifiable risk factors for falls. Between the ages of 50 and 70, we lose about 30% of our muscle strength. As we age, our balance reaction times and reflexes become slower – so it is harder to regain balance.

Experts recommend per week for over 65 year olds:

150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity (10 minute bouts) e.g. walking, gardening, dancing

2 x muscle-strengthening exercises

2 x balance and coordination activities.

8 top tips to stay well on your feet:

Exercise regularly (strength & balancing)

Check vision and hearing

Visit the GP if had a fall or worried about falling

Get medication checked

Look after your feet

Check the home for hazards

Eat well

Seek support for any continence issues.

Local Service Information:

Livewire: ‘Stay on Your Feet’ Exercise programme

Referral based exercise programme ran by Livewire that aims to:

-          Improve balance, muscle strength, & flexibility

-          Build the sustained engagement of older people in exercise

-          Reduce the risk of falling

Livewire also offer other exercise services.

Stay on your feet

University of 3^rd Age (U3A)

Warrington U3A is part of a UK-wide movement that brings together people in their ‘third age’ to develop their interests and continue their learning in a friendly and informal environment.

U3A is all voluntary and members draw upon their knowledge and experience to teach and learn from each other.

Warrington U3A has around 1200 members and is home to over sixty activity groups including exercise sessions such as Tai-Chi, Latin dance, Line dancing, Badminton etc.

University 0f the Third Age

First Response Team (previously known as Access Social Care)

Provide a single point of access for all Social Service needs, and offer support to help people live independently within their own home through adaptations (pendant alarms). Pendant alarms can help prevent a long lie as a result of a fall and provide confidence to remain living in your own home.

Warrington Adult Social Care - First Response Team

 Community Rehab and Falls service   (NHS Bridgewater)

A multi-disciplinary team consisting of therapists and nurses who are responsible for the specialist assessment of people who have had, or are at risk of a fall but remain at home.

Rehab and Fall Service

 Age UK (Mid Mersey)

Age UK is a charitable organization that operates to promote and provide older people with a holistic range of health, wellbeing and care services to allow individuals more choice and control in their everyday lives.

- Home help service

Warrington Home Improvement Agency (WHiA)

Is a non-profit advisory service for older, disabled or vulnerable people and families who own their own homes or live in private rented accommodation and wish to repair, improve or adapt their homes.

Home Improvemnent Agency

Warrington Public Health

The Public Health (PH) team commissions, supports and provides information on a range of public health and wellbeing issues. You can view lots of information and find out about activities and services available in Warrington, specifically Healthy Ageing information and advice by visiting their website.

Public Health

CGL pathways to recovery

Pathways to Recovery is a free and confidential drug and alcohol service for adults in Warrington. They operate an open access service where you can walk in to talk to someone or alternatively speak to your GP who can refer you.

Pathways to recovery

Lifetime Centre

Lifetime is an independent, not for profit centre and free to join. The centre is open weekdays for casual drop in’s, information, computer suite, café facilities and a wide programme of affordable activities and classes including arts/crafts, health and fitness and music and dance. 

Activities for 50+

Warrington Disability Partnership (WDP)

WDP is an independent, user led, charity that offers a wide range of mobility and independent living services. WDP operates from the Warrington Centre for Independent Living which is set out with practical displays of hundreds of daily living aids: 3 and 4 wheel walkers, perching and shower stools, bath boards, helping hands grabbers etc. 

WDP also operates the Smart Flat, which offers working displays of assistive technology. Information, advice and guidance is available on Direct Payments, Personal Health Budgets and Payroll services.

Warrington Disability Partnership

Talking Matters Warrington – CBT for fear of falling

Offer an Exposure-Based Cognitive Behavioural approach for after fall injury for those at risk of further falling due to increased anxiety or those experiencing low mood or trauma following a fall.

Talking Matters

We don’t need to wait until we’re struggling with our mental health, there are lots of things we can do to protect ourselves and prevent problems escalating, just as we do with our physical health. The national mental health campaign Every Mind Matters suggests simple steps we can take to look after our mental health and wellbeing.

The Every Mind Matters website:

• offers a range of useful resources to help us spot signs of common mental health concerns
• provides practical self-care tips and guidance
• explains when to seek further support

The website also has a free NHS-approved online tool “Your Mind Plan”. You can use this to build an action plan, which could help you to deal better with stress and anxiety, boost your mood, improve your sleep and feel more in control.

To learn more about looking after your mental health and wellbeing, or to create your own action plan, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

In addition to visiting the national Every Mind Matters website, you could take a look at www.happyoksad.org.uk. This Warrington site has information about local mental wellbeing resources, as well as details of a wide range of local mental health support services.

*Work in progress - new content to be added soon*

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