Presentation from the 'Better Connected' parallel session at Age UK's fit as a fiddle: A lasting legacy conference

1. Better connected
Using the phone to reduce isolation and improve mental wellbeing
Toby Williamson – Head of Development & Later Life, Mental Health
Foundation
Elizabeth Shaw – Social Inclusion Manager, Community Network

2. Mental Health Foundation
• UK charity and national development agency in
mental health and learning disabilities
• Social research, service development, policy work,
public information
• 55+staff, wide networks, £4m a year turnover
• No local branches/members or direct services
Fit as a Fiddle

3. Mental health and mental health problems
• Mental health doesn’t mean mental illness
• Mental health doesn’t simply mean an absence of mental illness
• Mental health is about mental well being
• People with good mental health can still experience mental
health problems
• Well being still applies to people with mental health problems
• There are close links between mental and physical health
Fit as a Fiddle

4. Mental health in later life
• UK has an ageing population – more people growing older and
living longer
• 9 million people over the age of 65
• Over 10,000 centenarians alive today in the UK
• The person who will live to 120+ is alive today
• 25% of people over the age of 65 have symptoms of depression
• Nearly 20% of people over the age of 85 have dementia
Fit as a Fiddle

5. Mental health in later life: some relevant trends
• Concept of later life becoming more segmented
(and less relevant?) + pace of demographic/social
change
• People living alone, family fragmentation
• Pensions/savings - a wealth/poverty divide
• Rapid development of new technology
• Affordability, access and transport
• Rising expectations
• Economic costs of care – especially dementia
Fit as a Fiddle

6. Mental health and well being life
• UK Inquiry into mental health and
well being in later life (2006)
• Key factors in mental health:
discrimination, physical health, income,
participation, relationships
(“connectedness”)
• Grouchy Old Men? Project (2010)
• How to look after your mental
health in later life (2011)
Fit as a Fiddle

7. Fit as a Fiddle – impact on mental health
• Key objective – improving mental health and well
being by bringing older people together – including
physical activity and healthy eating
• Evaluation outcomes:
• Increases in:
• Mental well-being
• Satisfaction with life
• Social connectedness
• Reduction in loneliness and social isolation
Fit as a Fiddle

8. A fidelity checklist for new or existing approaches to
improve mental health and well being in later life
• Has it been designed with substantive input from older
people?
• How social is it – does it bring older people (and potentially
people of other ages) together?
• How non-age discriminatory and non-stigmatising is it?
• Can it utilise/maximise the talents and experiences of older
people?
Fit as a Fiddle

9. A fidelity checklist for new or existing approaches to
improve mental health and well being in later life
• Does it also have a physical health component? Can it enhance
older people’s physical health?
• How actively inclusive of diverse groups and needs is it?
• How safe, affordable and accessible is it?
• Does it involve a range of partner organisations?
• How far does it support independent living but within supportive
communities?
Fit as a Fiddle

10. Community Networks telephone groups – benefits for
participants
• Develops social skills
• Provides companionship
• Alleviates feelings of isolation and disconnection
• Keeps loneliness and depression at bay
• Improves mood and cerates an optimistic mind-set
• Allows for an exchange of valuable information
• Provides for equality of access and input
• Acts as a safety net for older people
Fit as a Fiddle

11. Thank you
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Fit as a Fiddle