Special event gets older people staying safe and active

Keeping Dundee’s older people safe and active was the hot topic at a special Dundee event that took place at the city’s Boomerang Centre in Stobswell.

A range of charities and community organisations teamed up to deliver the free event to around 30 older people, which featured informative speakers, group exercise and mobility sessions, lunch and even live music courtesy of Finmill Guitars.

The event, which took place on Wednesday, was organised as a partnership by Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action, Hillcrest Homes, NHS Tayside, Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership and Royal Volunteer Service.

At the event, the attendees heard first-hand how to stay safe from scams, reduce trips and falls, improve nutrition, and even found out about newly emerging technology-enabled care.

A range of stalls were also on hand to offer advice and support, including Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action; NHS Tayside; Royal Voluntary Service; Dundee advice and support service, Helping Older People Engage (HOPE), and Hillcrest’s energy advice and tenancy sustainment teams who advised on how to reduce bills.

A Community Health nurse, offering free health checks, Dundee Carer’s Centre, Fair Trading Standards and Occupational Therapy Social Work were also in attendance.

As well as offering advice, sessions and support to improve financial and physical wellbeing, the event was also an opportunity to tackle loneliness, which is something many older people struggle with – particularly around Christmas.

Erman Maglalang, participation and engagement coordinator with Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action’s Social Isolation Team, said: “It’s good to see people coming together once again for a common purpose.

“I was overwhelmed to see that we had a great turnout and delighted to witness that everybody had a great time. It was heart-warming to see the smiles on the older people’s faces the whole time.”

Maureen McLay, HOPE community engagement worker, added: “With the weather getting colder, finances tighter and Christmas emphasising the loneliness that many older people feel, this event sought not only to support them with staying safe, but also to help them engage and reduce isolation.

“As well as also bringing a bit of festive cheer, the event put a range of local support services at the attendees’ fingertips, allowing them to get ongoing help with everything from healthcare through to lowering household bills.”