New app in development with advice on falls prevention and combatting loneliness to help people live independently for longer

Online health educator The Sound Doctor has announced the development of its new app to help people live longer and more independently at home.

The app, aimed particularly at those aged over 70, consists of a library of films created by The Sound Doctor. It includes advice on preventing falls, combatting loneliness and isolation, and managing end of life care. It also offers information, advice and tips on nutrition, hydration, oral health and alcohol.

The Sound Doctor creates film and audio content to help people with long-term conditions look after themselves better to improve outcomes.

There are many issues which really worry older people living at home, says the online health educator. It says that feeling lonely and isolated can often lead to other problems like depression and that the fear of falling can prevent people from leaving their homes. This can all lead to older people getting caught up in a spiral of inactivity and dependency.

Campaign to End Loneliness states that there are currently 1.2 million chronically lonely older people in the UK and that half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all.

Rosie Runciman, Co-Founder of The Sound Doctor, said: “The good news is, there is lots of help out there. If older people and their families know what help is available, and can see the potential for altering their lifestyle, there can be dramatic improvements to their quality of life. Our App is a necessary resource that will help with this and is a fantastic project for The Sound Doctor to be involved in.”

According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of people aged 75 or over is expected to double in the next 30 years. A recent report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists states that depression is the most common mental health problem in this age group.

“As we are an ageing society, we need to find ways of living at home longer, but this won’t happen unless we find ways of enjoying life in older age,” continued Rosie. “Health issues affect activities we might have done previously, retirement comes with potential problems of isolation, and we need to find ways of making life work well for us in our later years.”

Many issues can be addressed through understanding both the issues and potential solutions. For older people and their families, education is essential to improving outcomes, says The Sound Doctor.