Keeping well at home campaign release two new videos

By GreaterSport | 29 March 2021 | TAGS: older adults, Keeping well at home, Covid-19

We’re pleased to share two new videos that have been co-produced with collaborating organisations and public contributors involved in the development of the Keeping Well at Home and Keeping Well this Winter booklet/talking tips and film over the past 12 months.

Jane McDermott, NIHR Older People and Frailty Policy Research Unit Manager and member of the Healthy Ageing Research Group at the University of Manchester, a key-collaborator said:

“The ‘Working Together’ and ‘Valuable not Vulnerable’ short films tell the story of the work undertaken over the past 12 months across the Greater Manchester Ageing eco-system.  It showcases how trusted relationships and shared commitment to co-development, co-design, co-production and co-distribution enable rapid responses. The films highlight how shared values, principles and passion for age-inclusivity and equality can drive forward better outcomes for all our citizens and communities. 

In response to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in March 2020, the Healthy Ageing Research Group (University of Manchester), Greater Manchester Combined Authority (Ageing Hub) and the Greater Manchester Older People’s Network came together to develop printed information for those older people asked by Government to self-isolate or shield (including all those over 70).

The initiative targeted older people who did not have access to the internet, in particular those people who were self-isolating and shielding. The World Health Organisation recognised the booklet as a best practice case study for inclusive communications, and inclusion of older people during the pandemic.

Researchers from the Health Ageing Theme in the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester, undertook a postal survey evaluation (full report here) of the Booklet, which revealed that over 90% of participants found the information in the booklet useful, with 78% finding the tips for keeping their mind well useful and 74% having used the home exercises.

Dr AnneMarie Money, University of Manchester Research Fellow and NIHR ARC-GM Healthy Ageing team lead on the evaluation of the Keeping Well at Home Booklet said:

“The key finding, I take from the evaluation is the evidence challenging the growing trend towards communicating just through digital channels. 

92% of the older adults who responded said they preferred paper-based information sent to the home; and even taking into account those older adults who were digitally engaged, 83% said they still preferred paper-based resources over digital versions.  Bringing together this range of health and well-being information in one place was beneficial to our older adults.

The evaluation really highlighted the need for information, support and services to be made available in an offline equivalent and disseminated to those who otherwise would not have access to it.”

In response to the evaluation a further booklet called Keeping Well this Winter has been produced; this new version also includes a short film made by older people, as well as a two-page talking tips guide. It is also available in Bengali, Urdu, Easy Read and audio versions.

For a copy of the latest outputs of the Keeping Well Campaign, see here.