If
loneliness and social prescribing is a hot topic currently, it’s probably for a
good reason. With an ageing population, around 3.6 million* elderly people
living alone and a care system under extreme strain, then products that allow
individuals to access groups, friends and improve well-being can have huge
benefits.
Social
prescribing connects individuals in primary care with support from within the
community. It provides GPs and healthcare professionals with methods to help
people look after themselves more effectively and enjoy a more positive,
engaging lifestyle. It
focuses on meeting an individual’s needs by looking at the full picture i.e.
acknowledging that an individual’s health is influenced by many determinants.
As the Healthy London Partnership states: “People are living longer and as they
get older, developing long term health conditions. Their health is affected by
a wide range of factors including employment, housing, debt, social isolation
and culture. These factors are not amenable to traditional health
interventions.
Social
prescribing encourages people to access support from local, non-clinical
services such as voluntary and community-focussed organisations. Engaging with
social activities and community interaction can help reduce inactivity, poor
mental health and social isolation and according to The Kings Fund, there is
increasing evidence that social prescribing can lead to positive health and well-being
outcomes. “Studies have pointed to improvements in areas such as quality of
life and emotional wellbeing, mental and general wellbeing, and levels of
depression and anxiety.”
A holistic
approach to health therefore can enable people to lead more fulfilling and
socially active lives. This is not only found via referral to community schemes
but also through assistive living products and adaptations, often recommended
by Occupational Therapists, that can make daily living in the home or workplace
easier and safer, whilst increasing accessibility and inclusion to the external
environment.
Innovative
and pioneering products, such as the SitnStand, a battery-powered, portable,
rising seat, can enable individuals to maintain or retain active and inclusive lifestyles.
The SitnStand provides safe and controlled sit-to-stand transfers and its key
USP is its portability - meaning it can be placed on any chair, anywhere – at
local social groups, community centres, family homes, restaurants and hotels.
The SitnStand
is a product that exemplifies the social prescribing ethos – supporting
individuals with inclusive community engagement and non-medical
intervention. As Kate Sheehan, Occupational Therapist and Director of The
OT Service comments: “Due to its portability, it opens up a whole world of
activities that clients want to do in their home, community and whilst
travelling, therefore promoting health and wellbeing.”
When living
with restricted mobility or a health condition, the process of sitting and
standing in a controlled and safe manner can be a challenge. Many people rely
on the manual assistance of relatives, friends and carers to get in and out of
a chair. This compromises freedom in many respects both at home and when
travelling – resulting in a loss of inclusion, confidence and self-esteem.
Loneliness and mental health issues continue to escalate amongst elderly and
disabled people hence the need for independent mobility. By choosing the
SitnStand greater social engagement and reduced loneliness is possible without
the need for manual assistance when sitting or standing.
*According
to Age UK.
