Living Well Live longer and stronger campaign

The latest Living Well campaign is highlighting the benefits of physical activity for people aged 50 and over. The ‘Live longer and stronger’ campaign is running in community pharmacies during August and September. It highlights how keeping active can help you stay healthy and age well. 

Living Well is a community-based pharmacy service offered in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland. It is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency, Community Pharmacy NI, and the Department of Health. The service supports people in improving their health and wellbeing by:

•    raising awareness of various public health messages and campaigns;
•    sharing of health and wellbeing information;
•    signposting to a relevant health professional, service or support in the community;
•    using behavioural interventions, if appropriate.

Through the Living Well service, pharmacies help address risk factors that contribute to ill health in Northern Ireland. 

Research shows that from 50 years of age we naturally lose muscle density year on year. While ageing is inevitable, the speed at which physical changes occur can be slowed or even reversed with regular physical activity.

The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend being active for two and a half hours each week and doing activities to improve muscle strength at least twice a week. Regular physical activity provides a range of physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits including having a healthy heart, lowering the risk of future health conditions like type 2 diabetes, stroke and some cancers, and can help prevent falls. It can also help keep your brain sharp, make you feel happier and help you to manage stress. 

As part of the Living Well campaign, community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are providing the free information leaflet, Ageing well by being active every day.

Find out more by calling into your local community pharmacy to speak with a member of the pharmacy team. For ideas on how to get more active, visit www.choosetolivebetter.com/getting-active