Over 65s
Ageing is a natural process that affects how your body responds to general ‘wear and tear’ and illness. Some conditions become more common as we get older, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and incontinence.
Any changes that you can make to your diet and lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing these long term conditions and prevent an existing condition from getting worse:
- Eat a wide range of foods‚ particularly plenty of fruit and vegetables
- Cut down on fatty food‚ choose sunflower or olive oil for cooking and choose low-fat versions where you can
- Eat less salt and salty foods such as breakfast cereals‚ bread‚ bacon‚ ham and salty snacks like crisps
- Keep your weight within ‘normal’ limits
- Quit smoking
- Exercise regularly in a way that suits you
- Keep your alcohol intake within the recommended limits
Am I eligible for Birmingham OwnHealth?
Birmingham OwnHealth can support you if you are over 65 years old and come under one or more of the following:
- You have one or more long term conditions, including diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke or TIA (’mini-stroke’), chronic kidney disease or high blood pressure
- Had an unplanned admission to hospital in the last year:
- Nutritional issues
- Incontinence
- Depression or anxiety issues
- Visual impairment
- On four or more medications
- Lack a social support network
- Housebound
- Poor mobility
- History of falls
- Receiving an attendance allowance
- Unable to perform daily activities such as washing, dressing or making a meal
How can Birmingham OwnHealth help me?
With the support of your Care Manager, you can:
- Know when to call for help
- Learn about your conditions and set goals
- Take your medications correctly
- Get the tests and services you need
- Take steps to control your conditions
- Make lifestyle changes to feel better
- Learn ways to solve problems
- Keep your appointments
Useful links
- Information zone for older people Links to useful resources from Birmingham City Council.
- Age Concern Birmingham A range of information about what Age Concern Birmingham does and services for older people, their families and carers across Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield.
- Age UK Reliable information for older people and their carers on issues like housing, health and finance.
- Birmingham Older Persons’ Website Designed to improve the health of older people by offering access to information on local and national services, opportunities and support.
- B-Sage Good Neighbour Scheme Well-being project from Freshwinds for older adults registered with a NHS Birmingham East and North GP, helping the over 50s with long-term health conditions to live independently.
- Birmingham LINk Birmingham Local Involvement Network (LINk) helps local people and organisations to speak with one voice, influencing key decision makers in improving health and social care service provision across the city. You can support Birmingham LINk by becoming an active member and letting them know about the issues affecting your community.
