We have put together some information, stories, and resources which may give you a greater understanding of why and how, as we live longer, we can also improve the quality of our lives as we age.
What do you need to know about healthy ageing?
While good genes help, there are a number of ways to build a basis for healthy ageing. These include:
- Exercising regularly
- Staying socially active
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Improving brain health
- Having a sense of purpose, and
- Continuing to engage in daily tasks
Research has shown that the sooner someone stops doing things for themselves, the faster they lose their functional ability. By actively promoting physical health, as well as mental, emotional and spiritual health, you can keep able and live an independent life for longer.
Professor Peter Gore from ADL Smartcare Ltd explains the LifeCurve™ in the video here. Wellness and Reablement approaches aim to assist people to perform daily tasks independently for as long as possible and enable older adults the ability to live better; adding life to years.
Look at some of our resources below such as the Make Your Move brochure to discover more about how you can help yourself get the most out of life.
What is wellness and reablement?
All service providers funded by the Australian Government, Department of Health under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) are required to work with people in a manner that:
- Maximises their independence and
- Enables them to remain living safely in their own homes and communities.
This means that service providers should generally not undertake tasks that people are capable of doing safely for themselves. This approach is known as wellness and reablement and aims to assist people to perform daily tasks on their own so that they can maximise their independence and live a happier, healthier life.
What’s the difference between wellness and reablement?
Whilst wellness and reablement have similar aims around supporting people to enjoy a good quality of life and be as independent as possible, reablement is focused on short-term support and helping people, where able, to adapt or regain the confidence and capacity to resume everyday activities without the need for support from aged care services. Click the image to preview the document.
What are good examples of wellness and reablement?
In practice, wellness and reablement can mean different things for different people – it all depends on a person’s individual situation.
Below are some examples of how a service provider might work with you or your loved one.
- Work with you short term and practice daily activities, like cooking and showering to help you regain skills and improve your confidence and get back on your feet
- Find new ways to do some things, so you feel safer and more confident
- Support you to re-engage with community activities and interests
- Help you to build your confidence in catching public transport
- Trial equipment and technology with you to improve your independence
- Look at minor modifications in the house to make the environment safer and easier to negotiate
- Work with you on a targeted exercise plan or strength and balance program developed by a physiotherapist
- Help you build brain reserve by learning new routines and other ways to improve your independence and well-being, and
- Involve your relatives and/or carers in how they can help you live more independently
Defining Longevity
In this sneak peek podcast of episode one of the Longevity Roadmap docu-series, host Dr. Mark Hyman dives into an overview of longevity and the difference between health span and life span.
Personal success stories
Personal Perspective – Putting reablement into practiceAs a person living with Alzheimer’s disease, John Quinn is challenging the belief that a diagnosis means ‘end of life’. Here, he explains how, with adaptations and timely interventions, it is possible to live life well with dementia. Click here to read more.- Moving is good for usWe all know moving more is good for us and the people we support. We know that we need to be more active but sometimes it can be difficult to get started. Click to read more.
- ReAblement – Colin’s story – A UK exampleThis short film was commissioned by Somerset County Council and NHS Somerset. “I have made very small steps which is quite surprisingly mounting up to be being to do as much as I can do now.” Click here to watch Colin’s story.
Resources for clients and community
