Well for Life

Page content: Overview | Well for Life projects | Health Tips for Seniors | Publications | Related websites

Overview

The Well for Life program aims to improve the health and wellbeing of frail older people in aged care settings by improving nutrition and increasing levels of physical activity.

Since Well for Life began in 2003, more than 100 agencies have been involved in Well for Life, working with older people who are residents of Public Sector Residential Aged Care (PSRAC) facilities or participants of Home and Community Care (HACC) Planned Activity Groups (PAGs). Over 300 PAGs and over 100 PSRAC facilities have benefited from funding provided by the Victorian State government through the Well for Life program.

Well for Life projects

Well for Life continues to develop and expand involving a broader population group with innovative projects. These projects have sought to spread the word of activity and nutrition further afield among older people living in different settings.

Well for Life projects are being implemented among older people in public housing and with older people receiving support services through Home and Community Care.

• Well for Life – Older People in Public Housing
• Well for Life - Home Support Services (This links to content referring to ASM, see below)

Health tips for Seniors

Health tips and information about nutrition and physical activity.

Publications

Well for Life currently has a number of publications to support improving nutrition and increasing physical activity among older people. Some of these publications are resources that are more suitable to service providers whereas other publications are equally valuable to service providers and older people and their carers.

Two resource kits have been developed by the National Ageing Research Institute together with the Dietitians Association of Australia, Public Health and the Aged Care Branch and are directed to providers of care in Aged Care Residential facilities or Home and Community Care Planned Activity Groups (PAGs). The two resource kits assist agencies in their planning and implementation of physical activity and nutrition strategies. A supplementary booklet is also available for PAG participants and their carers to have at home to support their physical activity.

Phase 1 Well for Life projects (2003-04) underwent an evaluation, published in the Well for Life: Highlights from the evaluation – phase one projects November 2005. A companion book to the evaluation was created which contains A collection of stories from people directly involved in Well for Life, both staff and participants, describing how Well for Life is helping them provide better choices about nutrition and hydration, and greater access to a variety of physical activities. It is a truly inspirational book to read.

All resources are available in hard-copy format from the Aged Care Branch by contacting Wendi Kruger on (61 3) 9096 7076.

Information is also available from the publication section:

• Well for Life: Improving nutrition and physical activity for residents of aged care facilities

• Well for Life: Improving nutrition and physical activity for older people at home

• Well for Life: Physical activity advice for older people and their carers

• Well for Life Evaluation: Highlights from the evaluation - phase one projects November 2005

• Well for Life: A collection of stories

Related websites

Well for Life operates under the banner of Go for your life which is a State Government initiative aiming to increase levels of physical activity and healthy eating and promote stronger communities for all Victorians. There is valuable information on healthy tips for older people on the Go for your life website.

The Better Health Channel also offers many important healthy living tips for older people including healthy ageing, health information and healthy recipes.

Information for seniors can be found on the Better Health Channel website.

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