Age Connects Wales News

A new app from Age Connects Torfaen and Cardiff Metropolitan University is set to improve the lives of dementia sufferers and their carers.

Age Connects Wales are working in partnership with LEAP to offer their local residents a free- service that can help reduce energy usage and bills, whilst keeping you warm and cosy. So how does it work?

Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale have welcomed their new CEO, Maxine Johnson to replace the charity’s stalwart leader, Jeff Hawkins, as he has retires after 37 years loyal service.

Age Connects Wales salutes amazing heroes during 2023 Volunteers Week

The pandemic has changed life for all of us but some older people are among the hardest hit. Age Connects Torfaen recognised the increased emotional strain that older people felt during lockdown and in partnership with Digital Communities Wales introduced a unique playlist project to their clients living in Torfaen. A playlist contains all the songs or pieces of music that make up the soundtrack of a person’s life. The tunes that give you that ‘flashback-feeling’ whenever you hear them; that take you back, to another time, person or place. Age Connects Torfaen targeted playlists at older people living with dementia. The playlist was used to harnesses the powerful effect of personal music to help anyone who is affected by dementia, their families and carers. Whether it’s the music from a first dance, lullabies from childhood or a theme tune from a favourite TV show, music has the ability to take us back in time and remind us of our past, giving you that flashback feeling. Sharing a person’s songs and memories can help people living with dementia connect with family, friends and carers. Staff at involved with the project have also found that listening to music that is personally meaningful has many psychological benefits, meaning anyone can benefit from a playlist. Emma Wootten Development Co-ordinator said; “It’s amazing what a powerful trigger this project has turned out to be. Working so closely with our clients has enabled us to identify a playlist that evokes powerful memories from an individual’s life. It is also a wonderful joint exercise for a carer to be involved with and feel close to their loved one”. “Digital Communities Wales Advisor Angela Jones said: Digital Communities Wales is proud to be working with Age Connects Torfaen in our response to the pandemic, ensuring that vulnerable people across the borough are supported creatively through the crisis using digital technology.” Staff from Age Connects Torfaen have been working tirelessly to continue to support vulnerable older people in Torfaen in a creative way ,despite the significant difficulties posed by the lockdown. For further information about Age Connects Torfaen services, please visit www.ageconnectstorfaen.org or visit their Facebook page.

It's a common misconception that falling is seen as an inevitable part of ageing, something to accept, something to worry about. Many are embarrassed when they've had a fall and are reluctant to talk about it but talking about falls can help to dispel these myths and provide you with answers, solutions, freedom and independence. Every year we use Falls Awareness Week as an opportunity to encourage conversations around falls, promote collaboration between service providers so that we can reach more people who need our vital services and highlight the work that we and our partners do across Wales to help and support our older community members. We want to contribute to a society who values and respects our older generations and their contribution to our communities. We are working with Age Cymru and Care & Repair Cymru to get people talking about falls and raise awareness of older people so they can play an active role in keeping themselves safe. We want to encourage conversations about falls and raise awareness so that we can all do our bit to prevent them from happening. We want you to know that you can get help and support from Age Connects whether before or after a fall. You don't need to wait until you’ve had a fall to access any of our or our partner's services and you if you have had a fall we want you to know that we can help you regain your confidence and independence.

Promoting independence and quality of life

Care and support in the community