Title
Contents
Acknowledgements 6
The Author 8
Part one - Core principles of the LinkAge Plus approach 9
Core principles 10
LinkAge Plus approach 11
LinkAge Plus outcomes 12
Summary 14
Part two - LinkAge Plus and benefits for older people 18
1. Introduction 19
1.1 Aims and objectives 20
1.2 Structure of the report 21
2. Policy context 22
3. Introducing the triangle of care and positioning LinkAge Plus 25
4. The benefits of LAP for older people: examples of innovative services and practices 28
4.1 Eight 'Working Assumptions' underpinning the national evaluation 29
4.2 Examples of the benefits of LAP for older people 30
4.3 Social benefits 30
4.3.1 Improving access to services and information and developing opportunities for older people's involvement 31
4.3.2 Promoting social inclusion 32
4.4 Older people's safety 35
4.4.1 Fire safety and prevention 35
4.4.2 General safety and home security 36
4.4.3 Help to remain in the home 37
4.4.4 Providing housing options 40
4.5 Physical health 41
4.5.1 Salford Healthy Hips and Hearts Project 43
4.5.2 Salford Assisted Exercise Therapy 43
4.6 Mental health 45
4.6.1 Devon County Council Deep Outreach (Mentoring Service) 46
4.6.2 Leeds City Council - Older People and the Social Isolation Pack 46
4.6.3 Tower Hamlets: Neighbours In Poplar - Men's' Social Group 47
4.7 Education and lifelong learning 48
4.7.1 Lancaster's Senior Learners' Programme 49
4.7.2 Nottinghamshire Community Computers 50
4.7.3 Salford Creative Start 50+ 50
4.8 Leisure 51
4.8.1 Gardening 52
4.8.2 50plus Nottinghamshire Activity Friends 52
4.8.3 Tower Hamlets - The Sundial Centre 53
4.8.4 Storytelling and reminiscing groups, Tai Chi, book clubs and roller-skating in Gloucestershire 54
4.9 Employment 54
4.9.1 Gateshead Timebank 55
4.9.2 Lancaster Employment/Volunteering Bureau 56
4.10 Welfare entitlements 57
4.11 Transport 59
5. Positioning LAP pilot activities within the triangle of care 61
6. Measuring the impacts 65
6.1 Promoting independence 65
6.2 Developing integrated services 66
6.3 Focusing on wellbeing and prevention 67
6.4 Small scale interventions to meet older people's individual needs 68
6.5 Developing the evidence base of the benefits of LAP 68
7. Conclusions 70
Appendix A: The LinkAge Plus pilot programme and its evaluation 71
Appendix B: LinkAge Plus themes and benefits for older people 76
Appendix C: Working assumptions, benefits for older people and LAP pilot examples 80
References 83
Table B.1 LinkAge Plus themes and benefits for older people 77
Table C.1 Working assumptions, benefits for older people and LAP pilot examples 81
Figure 1 The LinkAge Plus approach 13
Figure 3.1 Support for older people today 25
Figure 3.2 Support for older people today 26
Figure 5.1 Mapping LAP projects within the triangle of care 64
Figure A.1 Benefits for older people 74
Figure A.2 Organisational benefits 75