Age Friendly Communities

Rotary support for older adults, those living with dementia and Age Friendly Communities

Upper Eden Rotary members undertake a variety of projects helping their local communities.  They support a fortnightly Memory Club with help from the Alzheimer Society and Eden Carers, which is now in it's 11th year.  These sessions are for those living with memory problems and also their carers.

Upper Eden also run a monthly maintenance service for the various styles of Hearing Aids.  The project aims to provide support for people with hearing loss by helping to maintain their hearing aids where cleaning can be carried out and supplies of batteries made available.  

Image : Tools and parts for the Hearing Aid Service, Upper Eden

At Christian Head Residential Care Home Rotary members help maintain the gardens and area around the building.  This is an ongoing project that they have undertaken for several years.  

They provide transport for the Residents at Christian Head to both the Memory Club and the Hearing Clinic.

Fleetwood Rotary have been running a monthly Memory Drop In Centre since 2012, and in 2014 moved the sessions to Emmanuel Church in Fleetwood.

People living with dementia as well as their carers are made welcome.  Some of the regulars who have been attending for a long time continue to attend after they have lost their partners as they enjoy the company.  The sessions comprise a chat and brew with other activities including speakers, occasional singalongs and trips out.  Approximately twenty people attend each month.

Main picture above Fleetwood Group trip to Barton Grange

Church & Oswaldtwistle Rotary have a weekly Friendship Group for those who may be experiencing loneliness and is attended by over thirty people.  Refreshments are served followed by a variety of activities including visiting bands, bingo and interesting speakers.  Visits are arranged, most recently to Blackpool and Southport Lifeboat Station.

Image : Church & Oswaldtwistle 

Blackpool Palatine Rotary have over the years also supported those living with Dementia and their carers.  These projects include purchasing Dementia Pets which can help provide comfort for those living with dementia.  Rotary members have also supported various Dementia Cafes, and recently donated Easter Eggs to clients and carers at Trinity Hospice Dementia Lounge.

Image : Trinity Hospice Dementia Lounge

About Age Friendly Communities

Kevin Walsh, one of the members of our Direct Members hub, is Chair of Age Friendly Carlisle.  He says "Age Friendly Communities are places that enable people to age well and live a good later life.  Somewhere that people can stay living in their homes, participate in the activities they value, and contribute to their communities, for as long as possible.  This is surely at the heart of what Rotary is all about." 

The Age-friendly Communities approach was developed by the World Health Organisation in 2007, in consultation with older people around the world. It is built on the evidence of what supports healthy and active ageing in a place, and supports older residents to shape the place that they live.

Age Friendly Communities, many supported by your local Authority or Age UK, are always looking for volunteers and partner organisations.  Why not check out if there is one in your area.  

You can also access the Rotary Clubs list to see if your local Club has some Age Friendly projects.