Life Transitions app launches in Sussex
East and West Sussex councils lead UKRI-funded pilot scheme to help residents lead a full and healthy life in older age.
Residents across Sussex are being encouraged to download a newly launched app to help them prepare and plan for the future. The free Life Transitions app provides a route for residents across the two counties to gain relevant knowledge, skills and social support to help prepare them for later-life transitions that can have a big impact on their future health and well-being.
Photo by Joshua Hoehne
These transitions include retirement, moving home, changes in health and/or mobility, family separation such as divorce or so-called ‘empty nesting’, finding new roles, purpose and interests, menopause, becoming a carer, and experiencing loss and bereavement
The app is being launched as a pilot and is supported by the government’s UK Research and Innovation funding as part of the wider Healthy Ageing Challenge. The idea behind it is simple: to help people think about what’s important to them in life, what resources they have and what they might need to be prepared for significant changes ahead.
Feedback received from Sussex residents about the kind of help and support they would find beneficial has been fed into the development of the app.
What’s more, volunteers have been trained to provide one-to-one life transitions support in person or online, in conjunction with the app. This non-judgemental support aims to help resident identify the actions they can take to prepare for the future. The service is currently available in Eastbourne, Hastings and surrounding areas of East Sussex, and in the Littlehampton and Wick areas of West Sussex.
Mark Stainton, Director of Adult Social Care & Health at East Sussex County Council, says: ‘We can face some big challenges and changes as we age, and it can be difficult to know what we will need in the future to ensure a good quality of life in older age. This free app is a great tool to help us understand what changes we might face and how we can build the skills and resources to prepare for them. It’s never too early to start thinking about and planning for your future and I would encourage people to see how this app can help them.’
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