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Healthy for life: education and support for older people

Year:
2020
Duration:
12 months
Approved budget:
$29,946.00
Researchers:
Professor John Parsons
,
Professor Vanessa Burholt
,
Professor Ngaire Kerse MNZM
,
Professor Debra Waters
,
Professor Denise Taylor
,
Dr Rosemary Gibson
,
Professor Carol Wham
,
Dr Kathryn Peri
,
Dr Tia Dawes
,
Miss Elizabeth Binns
,
Dr Gary Cheung
,
Professor Clare Wall
,
Mrs Annabel Grant
,
Dr Ruth Teh
Health issue:
Physical activity/exercise
Proposal type:
Health Delivery Research Activation Grant
Lay summary
Remaining active in later life is critical to maintaining physical function, independence and overall health. The COVID-19 social-isolation restrictions highlighted deficiencies in health service delivery to community-dwelling older adults. We worked closely with DHBs, Age Concern, ACC and HQSC to develop and deliver “Healthy for Life”, on TV1 during Level 4/3. Subsequent phone interviews (n=248 older people) demonstrated a significant need for easily accessible education and activities related to key messages of the TV show: exercise; home safety; nutrition and sleep; brain health; and maintaining social connection. This grant will allow further development of these relationships and exploration of the content of health service and education by engaging older people and prioritising the optimal delivery method (TV or other more interactive medium). The findings will inform a project grant application to determine the efficacy and effectiveness of forms of innovative community-based health service delivery and education to frail older people.