Yarmouth’s older people are fit, active, and volunteering
10th edition of Ageless opportunites directory launched at the Priory Centre in Great Yarmouth.Picture: James Bass - Credit: Eastern Daily Press © 2016
Research completed recently by a partnership of local organisations shows that Great Yarmouth older people are fit, active and still volunteering in their local community.
Residents over the age of 65 in the borough were asked to fill out a questionnaire about what activities they do both inside and outside the home, how they get out and about, how safe and connected they feel in their community and what provision they have made for their care needs as they get older.
More than 320 people completed the questionnaires at a variety of locations.
Most reported being well connected in their community, are keen to stay fit and active and almost a quarter still volunteer in some capacity.
One of the key findings was despite being active and fit now, the majority of older people had not thought about their future care needs or finances.
The partnership supported by the borough council and led by the Older People’s Network comprised of Norfolk and Suffolk Care Support, Great Yarmouth Community Trust, Dial, Age Concern Great Yarmouth and British Red Cross.
The research formed part of the Great Yarmouth Older People’s Network Strong and Well project, funded by the county council; and the findings were presented at an event held at St George’s Theatre last week.
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Val Pettit, chairman of Great Yarmouth Older People’s Network who helped compile the questionnaire said: “It’s great to know so many are enjoying a fit and active later life. However we all know people are living much longer now and the number of very old people is rising dramatically.
“We all need to take steps to think about how we would like to be cared for in the long term.”
