What is frailty?
Frailty is a health state related to the ageing process that refers to a person's mental and physical resilience or ability to bounce back and recover from events like illness and injury. It is a term that is often used incorrectly or misunderstood. Frailty is not an inevitable part of ageing. See the poster below to get a better understanding of this condition.
Living Safely and Independently at Home in Fife
The website, Living Safely and Independently at Home in Fife, supports people to age well and stay in control as they get older. It offers people living in Fife an improved online resource to help them stay well, active and independent as they age.
It supports people to plan ahead, remain active and take small steps today that can make a big difference tomorrow. The website is built around the premise that the key to ageing well is taking control of your ageing journey early on.
It offers practical advice on:
Exercise and ageing well
- Links to local amenities and support services
- Access to national and local assistive equipment providers
- Loan equipment from Fife's Community Equipment Store
- General health information
The LifeCurve tool
Part of the Living safely and independently at home web resource, Life Curve helps users understand their current level of independence and track how to improve it.
In some cases, a face to face assessment may be recommended to explore additional support options. By helping people address everyday challenges earlier, the website promotes solutions that can support greater independence, fewer hospital stays, and a better quality of life.
The Life Curve
Strength and Balance
Everyone can improve their strength, balance, stamina and flexibility through exercise. Improvements can be seen at any age. Active Fife have a ‘Strength and Balance for All’ film which is aimed at older adults who want to stay active and independent for as long as possible. Doing these simple activities at least twice a week, in addition to going a daily walk can help you stay strong and balanced and reduce the risk of falls.
The video has been broken up into short sections:
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has produced a Christmas film highlighting the benefits of strength and balance exercises. Click here to view the video.
Exercise Centre
Regular exercise will help reduce your risk of having a fall. Videos to help you exercise can be found here.
Footcare
It is important to take care of your feet, whatever your age. Problems like calluses, long toenails, poor circulation or loss of feeling can make you unsteady on your feet, as well as causing pain and discomfort. Wearing shoes that fit properly will help you to move around more safely and comfortably. Shoes and slippers should be comfortable and ideally have a fastening.
FootCare Fife is a toenail cutting service for people who struggle to cut their own toenails. The service is run by Fife Voluntary Action and is delivered by trained volunteers. Appointments can be requested by filling out a simple online form or calling 0800 389 6046. Each appointment costs £10.
Opportunities to get active
- Active Fife includes details of local community walking groups, classes, and volunteering opportunities.
- Fife Sports and Leisure Trust: offers a wide range of centre-based activities and tailored groups, for example the Forever Young fun activity sessions designed especially for the young at heart to stay active, social, confident and independent.
- NHS Choices: within the NHS Choices website you will find exercises for older people.
- Fife Direct: information for all residents of Fife.
Mental health support and resources: Long term conditions
Home Safety Checks
Fife Council’s Safer Communities 'Fife Cares' initiative offer a range of free safety and security visits which can be arranged directly or can be made on behalf of a client or relative. For further information visit www.fife.gov.uk/safetyvisit
Useful organisations
