Active retirement for healthier ageing

Abstract

Dr Alex McMinn MBE, a former International Medical Education Consultant and former Executive Director of the International Association of Medical Laboratory Sciences, demonstrates how the University of the Third Age (U3A) is offering hope and health to Britain As well as social and economic benefits, one of the foremost success stories of public health policies is population ageing. We have reached a point where 20% of the population is in the 65-80- year-old bracket with this figure expected to continually rise in the foreseeable future. But what is the point of living longer if the extra years are characterized by ill-health, discomfort and social isolation? For most of us in this age group, our wish would be to live longer, live well and die quickly. Retirement for many individuals results not only in loss of income but also a diminution of self-efficacy, self-worth and self-esteem as well as a reduction in social connections - all factors that predispose us to a decline in well-being, increased ill-health and even depression - the more so if you live alone. So while population is one of humanity's greatest triumphs it is, at the same time, one of its greatest challenges. For to be a positive experience we need to intercept decline and threats to well-being in the older person. This can be achieved by providing opportunities for ageing situations that will enhance the quality of life by creating opportunities for older people to realize their potential for physical, cultural, social and mental wellbeing through activities that combine two or more of the following elements: mental stimulation, social engagement, physical activity and creative expression. During 2008, government and local government leaders spoke publicly of the requirement to address the needs of this large cohort of the population by making provision for older people to enjoy a positive quality of life and to create facilities to enable appropriate activities to take place. This not only makes sense for the participants themselves but also in terms of lowering the costs of medical treatment and care services. Available data indicate that old age itself is not associated with increased medical spending, rather it is disability and poor health often associated with later life that is costly. As people age in better health, medical spending need not increase rapidly. Similarly, activities that promote better health for older people need not be costly and small investments can be shown to yield real cost benefits. This is a fertile field of investigation for the health economist. CASE STUDY In August 2008, the 60+ population of Aughton, West Lancashire, became the biggest demographic group. The trend was noted five years earlier and prompted a consideration of how we might develop a voluntary community facility that would provide meaningful well-being activities for this section of the community by using the considerable skills and experience of the members of the community itself. Age Concern. Help the Aged, and local authority adult and community services provide support for older people predominantly (although not exclusively) with high dependency needs, while there is little provision for older people looking for an active lifestyle. Informal adult learning of the model pioneered by the University of the Third Age (U3A) and established in the UK 25 years ago was considered worth exploring. It was seen to provide a framework for creative engagement, opportunities for active participation, physical activity, volunteering and making new friends. Our response was to share the vision with a small group from the local community who we believed shared the vision. Five years on, the membership is 2,000 with seven other groups in the area with a membership in excess of 5.000. Aughton U3A is a registered charity affiliated to the UK Third Age Trust, which itself has a membership of 220,000 functioning in over 700 groups throughout the UK and with a growth rate of 25% per year. …