Casting a spotlight on Positive Ageing Week in Mayo

Positive Ageing Week is officially underway in Mayo and runs until Sunday next, October 6.

What does Positive Ageing mean?

Positive ageing refers to a holistic individual, community and ‘whole-of-government’ approach to changing attitudes towards ageing.

Particular emphasis is based on the life course approach, highlighting that ageing policy and practice is an issue for all ages and sectors of society.

In order to help better inform policy responses to population ageing in Ireland, the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative (HaPAI) was established.

The HaPAI is a collaborative partnership involving the HSE Health and Wellbeing Division, the Department of Health, the Atlantic Philanthropies and Age Friendly Ireland, with all partners recognising the value of undertaking research to improve and maintain the health and wellbeing of older people.

The team’s vision is that adults over 50 years in Ireland will live a more active and healthy lifestyle as a result of being part of the study entitled: ‘Move For Life’: An evaluation of a peer mentoring intervention designed to cascade and consequently up-scale existing programmes to help inactive people over 50 years old become more active.

Just two hours and 30 minutes of moderate exercise spread across the week will improve people’s bone and heart health, cognitive function and mental health for adults.

Additional muscle-strengthening activities at moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups are recommended on two or more days a week.

As part of their weekly physical activity, older adults (aged 65+) and older adults living with a disability should do varied multicomponent physical activity that emphasises functional balance and strength training on three or more days a week, to enhance strength and capacity and to prevent falls.

Limiting sedentary activity - like watching TV or being on the computer - is also a key recommendation across all age groups.

A spokesperson for the HSE Healthy Eating Active Living Programme said: “As well as regular planned physical activity such as taking part in sports, going to the gym, walking or cycling for travel and pleasure, we all need to be moving more every day, and cutting back on the amount of time spent sedentary. But we know how busy life can be for many.

"Simple ways to start incorporating more activity into day to day life could be walking to work instead of driving, taking the stairs instead of the lift, if catching the bus, get off a few stops early.

"Reduce the amount of time we spend on screens, whether watching TV, playing games or scrolling through social media on our phones. Instead of a cinema playdate bring the children and their friends to a local playground to run around and climb safely.

“Regular physical activity provides a range of physical, mental and social health benefits.

"These include reducing the risk of disease, managing existing conditions, improving your muscle and bone strength as you age, making it easier to maintain a healthier weight, developing and maintaining your physical and mental wellbeing, and increasing motivation and confidence."

A 12-page speical on Postitive Afeing Week in Mayo is published in this week's issue of The Connaught Telegraph.