Age Well in West Sussex

Your home

There are a number of actions that you can take to help you stay independent and safe at home, whether this is preparing for winter or identifying hazards that could cause a fall. For example:

• Equipment House - Visit our interactive equipment house to learn more about the many small items of equipment that can help you keep independent at home.
• Age UK Safety Check - Use Age UK's checklist guide to help you identify and resolve any possible safety risks in the home, in order to prevent accidents.
• West Sussex Affordable Energy - If you're a householder, get advice and impartial information on how to make energy more affordable in order to reduce your energy usage, keep your home warm and save money in the process.
• Warm Home service - If you’re over 65, living in a cold home or have a long term health condition, you may be eligible for the Age UK’s Warm Home service. It can help increase your income to pay for energy bills and help make your home more energy efficient. 

Connect with others

Connecting with other people and having good social relationships are fundamental to our health and wellbeing.

Sometimes we don’t get the chance to talk to people as much as we would like to, but small changes can increase our opportunities to interact with others and increase our social networks.

To connect with others in your community you could: 

• Spend more time with your neighbours, friends and relatives – invite them round for a coffee, give them a call or talk to them online.
• Volunteer at a local charity and meet new people in your community.
• Become a library volunteer.
• Participate in local events and activities, such as our library activities. Local churches, leisure centres and community centres also provide lots of activities from lunch clubs to yoga and art classes.
• Get support from charities, such as Independent Age or Re-engage.
• Book onto a stay safe online event and learn how safely use the internet, to help you keep in touch with family and friends. 

Financial stability

Managing our money enables us to get the most out of life, and this doesn't stop as we enter later life.  

Whatever your age, it is really important that you have good financial plans for the future and make the most of your budget, as well as knowing how to stay safe when dealing with money.

Here are just a few ideas on how you can be financially stable: 

• Look at your benefits entitlement - Find out if you are entitled to receive any benefits you are not currently claiming - this money could be essential to your welfare and quality of life. Visit Connect to Support for more information. 
• Consider your future - Plan ahead and ease the worry of paying for care. Access our Carewise scheme to help you consider all the options that are available. Book your free consultation today.
• Purchase a call blocker - Unfortunately there have been incidents in West Sussex where residents have been targeted by phone scams. Our Trading Standards team recommend that older residents purchase a call blocker to avoid falling victim to a scam. 
• Talk to someone - If you are struggling to manage your money, don't suffer in silence - talk to someone. The Age UK West Sussex money advice service is available between 10.00am and 2.00pm, seven days a week, to listen and give you advice. You can call them on 0800 019 1310.
• Claim your pension - As a council, we work closely with the Citizens Advice Bureau to ensure pensioners don't miss out on claiming their full entitlements. Visit your local office or call them on 03444 771171 if you need advice on claiming your pension, managing debt or general advice. 

Mental health

Maintaining good mental health and wellbeing is important throughout our lives, no matter what age we are. 

There are some simple steps you can take in order to maintain and improve your mental health, enabling you to become healthier and happier:

• West Sussex Wellbeing - Our wellbeing hubs are able help improve your health and wellbeing, physically and mentally. By visiting your local wellbeing hub, you will be able to receive tailored information and support face-to-face.
• Spend time outdoors – Do some gardening, visit a local park or beach, or explore the South Downs National Park.
• Learn something new – Borrow a book from your local library or sign up for a course of your choice with Aspire Sussex.
• Pathfinder West Sussex - Pathfinder is a local mental health charity that can support you in your time of need and give you tips on the best ways to stay well. 
• Coastal West Sussex Mind - Coastal Mind can help you to increase your knowledge and build confidence when supporting people who struggle with their mental health. Take a look at their training courses.

Being active

Regular physical activity is good for your health - it keeps you fit, gives you more energy and helps to prevent diseases such as heart problems, high blood pressure and diabetes. 

For older people, exercise is extremely important as it improves your balance and co-ordination, as well as maintaining bone strength and the flexibility of joints – which means you are less likely to have a fall.

Here are a few ways you can be active in West Sussex:

• Take part in local activities - Across West Sussex there are many activities, aimed at older people, that can help you stay fit and well. Take a look at events near you on the West Sussex Wellbeing website or Connect to Support. 
• Find an activity that works for you – The We are Undefeatable initiative has lots of suggestions for getting active if you have a long-term health condition and want to manage your health through fitness. 
• Visit your local leisure centre  - Leisure centres are great place to go and keep fit, and you can work to at a pace that suits you. Visit your local centre to inquire about becoming a member. 
• Talk to your GP - If there are physical implications holding you back from being active, visit your doctor and get specialist advice about the steps you can take to live a healthier lifestyle. 
• Go for brisk walks - The NHS recommends that people aged 65 and over walk or cycle for at least 150 minutes every week. Some ideas for local walks and cycle routes can be found our website.
• Do the Super Six - Improve your strength and balance by doing strength exercises three times a week, such as the Super Six. 

Download our handy Super Six guide (below) and follow the instructions on how to complete the exercises.