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Disabilities and health
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People with disabilities are more likely to die younger than the general population by at least 20 years.
This year, Choice Support held its first ever Health in Action Week to address these health inequalities, with the aim of improving health outcomes for the people we support.
Our Health in Action Week included a calendar of in-person sessions and online webinars that looked at a wide-range of health issues, from ageing, wellness-checks and cancer screenings.
We are delighted to say teams up and down the country were inspired and got involved, with many choosing to focus on the areas people they support struggle with most.
Below is a snapshot of what went on around the country, 9-13 June, from Choice Support’s Health in Action Week.
Milton Keynes
Northwest of London, in Milton Keynes, people we support were learning all about oral hygiene. A dentist visited to give a talk and show the best ways to clean your teeth. Everyone got to practice their brushing technique, using a demonstration set of teeth and toothbrush, and picked up lots of useful tips for good oral hygiene. They also learnt some fun facts and took part in activities to help their learning.
Buckinghamshire
A short car ride south of Milton Keynes, a specialist diabetic nurse was giving a talk on diabetes for the team's ‘Walking into Better Health’ themed day. People we support were taught all about better eating habits, before putting on their shoes to go on a walk. There was lots to take away for both staff and the people we support, who learnt a few new exercises that they can now incorporate into their daily lives.
Cheshire
Meanwhile, north of the country, in Cheshire, they were looking at the ageing process and the changes that occur with mobility, eyesight and hearing. People had the unique opportunity to wear a weighted suit, called a ‘geriatric simulator’, which when worn replicates having reduced mobility. They also got to wear some visual impairment glasses and headphones, in this interactive session, to experience the feeling of reduced sight and hearing. Cheshire are now planning another session in August on skin integrity and cholesterol.
Kent
And back down south, on the southeast coast of Kent, people we support of all different ages got active while sitting down with a chair exercise and stretching session from two health and fitness coaches.
These were just some of the educational sessions that were held across the organisation during Health in Action Week.
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