MPs examine how older people can be supported to stay active to avoid illness and injury
MPs will explore how older people with long-term health conditions can become more active and reduce the risk of developing multiple conditions, and how health, social care and volunteer services can support them to manage their own health.
Meeting details
A first panel of witnesses from charities and the social care sector will explain to MPs the opportunities for physical activity to transform health and social care for older people and reduce inactivity. MPs will also explore the potential for technology to support activity and how we can ensure that the shift to digital does not leave older people behind.
There will also be questions about how social prescribing by GPs could be adopted more widely and how collaboration between volunteer services and the NHS could be encouraged. Social prescribing can involve GPs referring older people to community activities, befriending services, and peer networks that help keep their body and minds active.
A second panel of expert witnesses will tell the cross-party Committee about the health service’s ability to identify frailty in older people, and how exercise can reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as dementia or experiencing a fall.