A social enterprise has helped older people to show off their social media skills through a new Alternative Advent Calendar
The countdown to Christmas is well and truly on, but it’s not just the kids who’re getting excited.
A group of campaigners in their 70s, 80s and 90s have turned to social media to launch their Alternative Advent Calendar ensuring it’s not just the kids who have all the fun.
The Stay Mobile Stay Connected champions want every older adult in Scotland to live life to the full, and with the right attitude and a little support from family and friends they believe everyone can do just that…and rescue the NHS while they’re at it.
The Alternative Advent Calendar on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will feature daily winter tips and loads of Christmas gift Ideas to keep older adults mobile and connected. For those who are feeling skint at this time of year, many of the gift ideas are free – for example buddy vouchers with fun ideas to spend time with the older people in your life can be downloaded – all you need to give is your time.
A Real Eye-opener: Behind the Scenes at ‘Stay Mobile Stay Connected’ (6 mins) from ROAR - Connections for Life on Vimeo.
Campaign champion Agnes Alexander (88) is keen to encourage her peers not to write older people off.
She said: “We may be old in years but young at heart. We want to be as independent as possible. Please encourage all your relations, friends and neighbours to join our group with your actions and deeds.”
The tips, vouchers and gifts are designed to help prevent falls and lengthy stays in hospital and combat loneliness and isolation. Over half of all people over 75 live alone – a rise of 24% in the last 20 years.
The Stay Mobile Stay Connected champions want to share the secrets to enjoying a good life whatever age you are and show people small changes can make a huge impact.
The campaign is the brainchild of Paisley-based social enterprise ROAR - Connections for Life, which is Age Scotland’s Charity of the Year.
General manager Nicola Hanssen said: “We need to encourage older people, their families, wider society and decision-makers to take a fresh approach to creating conditions where older people can and want to stay as physically, socially, cognitively, digitally and logistically mobile as possible so they can reduce their risk of falls and loneliness.
“Older people want the NHS to be there when they need it…but they’d rather not need it. And if they don’t need it, that saves the NHS a lot of money.”
The hashtag for the campaign is #StayMobileStayConnected
