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Ageing Better: Local responses to the Covid-19 pandemic - promoting healthy lifestyles to build resilience

Ageing Better: Local responses to the Covid-19 pandemic - promoting healthy lifestyles to build resilience (PDF, 0.4 MB)

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Introduction

This paper describes how Ageing Better partnerships adapted their work to support people aged 50+ during the first phase of the COVID‑19 pandemic. It explains the challenges older people faced and how projects reorganised services.

The report is for funders, policymakers and organisations supporting older adults at risk of loneliness.

Findings

The report found that Ageing Better partnerships quickly adapted their support for people aged over 50 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They helped meet basic needs by providing:

  • food

  • medicines

  • community helplines

They then then expanded support to tackle:

  • loneliness

  • poor mental health

  • physical inactivity

Many activities moved online or to telephone services, including:

  • counselling

  • befriending

  • exercise sessions

Food projects, gardening, wellbeing activities and social prescribing helped people stay connected and build resilience.

The report also highlights the importance of community action, volunteering and trusted local relationships. It concludes that combining digital, telephone and face-to-face support will be vital for long-term recovery.