Spotlight on: Living Well Falkirk
Shining a spotlight on the work of services across the Falkirk area, this week’s blog focuses on Living Well Falkirk. The online tool has been commended by Healthcare Improvement Scotland as positive example of community-led approaches to health and social care.
Living Well Falkirk promotes healthy, independent living by emphasising people’s ability to stay active and participate in their community. It is a tool for people who live in the Falkirk area and are having difficulties with everyday activities. Living Well Falkirk offers:
- 24-hour access to hints and tips on how to stay well and live independently.
- information about local and national services.
- helpful advice by completing a self-assessment on your abilities.
- suggestions on areas such as staying safe at home, preventing falls, help with bathing, etc.
- options to purchase, or request the loan of, equipment matched to your needs.
- contact information for further support.
A core component to the Living Well model is promoting healthy ageing using the LifeCurve™, which is an assessment for activities of daily living developed by ADL Research and Newcastle University.
In Falkirk, this assessment is conducted in person or online and serves as an efficient way to address equipment needs (such as shower rails) and an opportunity to connect people to other support available in their community.
Living Well also signposts to initiatives such as Neighbourhood Networks, which offers person-centred support for people with learning disabilities, and the Carers’ Centre, which offers supports such as Time to Live grants. Connections are made through different means:
- A community link worker pilot project connects people with community resources following an initial GP consultation, reducing the need for further GP appointments.
- Signposting or referral to third sector and community organisations occurs online and through the Living Well Falkirk Centre. This is further supported by Community Learning and Development staff, who have in-depth knowledge of local community services.
- Community hubs are beginning to be organised as part of Community-Led Support in Falkirk, which can connect people to the Living Well Centre and to other services.
The Living Well model emphasises empowerment of individuals within their community and runs a steering group with strong representation from third sector groups in Falkirk, including the third sector interface. This group has oversight on community-based developments in Falkirk, Community-Led Support work in the area, the Carers’ Centre, and other initiatives.
While services experienced extreme challenges relating to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Living Well Falkirk continued to provide support alongside community and third sector initiatives. Online resources remained available on the Living Well website, and people were able to access information and to request equipment through the LifeCurve™ online tool.
Laptops and iPads were provided to community members and carers as part of the Connecting Communities Programme. This enabled them to access online classes and stay more connected as part of the community.
The tool is key to achieving Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership’s remit of bringing services together to support people in their own homes. To learn more about Living Well Falkirk, visit www.livingwellfalkirk.lifecurve.uk