NEIGHBOURHOODS HAVE A KEY LEADERSHIP ROLE

It is now accepted that population ageing is a major challenge not only for the NHS but also for social care and all government services, both local and national. Important policy developments have taken place notably the publication of the report titled Healthy Ageing by the House of Commons Health and Soacial Care Committee and the launch of Live Longer Better by the NHS. Neighbourhoods have a key role in leading the work to meet this challenge not only by providing health services but also by pulling together all the agencies, including VCFSE organisations, and leading the cultural revolution that needs to take place

There are obviously priorities relating to the development of the Neighbourhood system, notably the national roll-out of W:ISH, but there are six priorities focused on preventing, or coping with, the major challenges faced by individuals, their communities and the health and social care service.  The first two of these focus on common long term conditions.:

• Preventing, delaying or minimising the impact of common health conditions including falls and frailty, particularly in the population of people 76 or older because the Health checks stop at 75
• Reducing the risk and impact of dementia

To achieve these objectives older people should be given knowledge about the benefits of three types of activity, physical, cognitive and emotional, together with  links to knowledge about, and access to,both local and digital opportunities

• Increasing Physical Activity, to improve all four dimensions of the Live Longer Better 4S physical fitness dimensions:  Stamina (with a focus on brisk walking), Strength, Suppleness and Skill are already receiving prominence due to the good work of Angela Rippon's Let's Dance programme and the work of teachers of yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi.. Physical activity also has cognitive and emotional benefits 
• Increasing engagement with the arts, culture and learning , these creative activities increase cognitive and emotional wellbeing
• Volunteering for community development . which has both cognitive and emotional benefits

In addition there is a need to focus specifically on the social care challenge 

• reducing the need for social care  ; The progress in the five priorities listed above will prevent or delay disability, frailty and dependance  and therefore reduce the need for health and social care but it is also worth emphasising this as a specific aim for every neighbourhood

It is also essential that neighbourhood networks provide cultural leadership to change the culture and mitigate two important social problems that are the social determinants of unhealthy ageing, notably ageism and deprivation.