Wandworth Local Health and Care Plan - October 2019

28 Our work - Age Well Isolation Improve the preventative services offer provided by the voluntary sector with a focus on intergenerational activities. Improve the coordination of services through the commissioning of an enhanced Voluntary Sector Coordination programme. To support our digital Social Prescribing offer (the Wandsworth Wellbeing Hub), we will be aiming to launch our face to face Social Prescribing service in Wandsworth by September 2019. What we will do: Isolation is an issue that can impact on physical and mental wellbeing across the age spectrum. Isolation in older age is an important focus as it is a preventable cause of both physical and mental health problems. Over 10,000 older people live alone and over 20% of older people are on low incomes. Isolation in older age often disproportionately affects people living in more deprived areas or who are on low incomes. Social isolation is also a factor in increased alcohol use . Nationally there has been a marked increase in alcohol related hospital admissions for older people. Isolation is known to increase health service demand. Isolation in older age is an important focus as it is a preventable cause of both physical and mental health problems , including depression, dementia and cardiovascular disease.