Ageing Well was the topic of conversation at a customer conference hosted by local social care provider Optalis.
At their second annual conference, customers were invited to discuss the theme ‘Ageing Well’, opening up discussions surrounding care and support for older adults with learning disabilities.
The event, held at the Westmead Day Centre, was co-produced with a steering group of older people who have learning disabilities. The group helped to plan the event and played a huge part in running the conference and organising presentations and discussions for the 70 delegates.
With a ‘trip down memory lane’, the conference focused on celebrating and reflecting on the past, with people’s history key to understanding what is, and will be, important in the future.
For the second part of the conference, delegates were invited to look to the future. Discussions were opened up on how certain life events can make growing older more difficult and how support workers can ensure customers feel as supported as possible.
Optalis also gave important advice for those who have retired or are considering it. Top tips were shared to help those with learning disabilities consider and prepare for their senior years.
Jodie Reichelt, Customer Experience Champion at Optalis, said: “Accessibility is a key requirement to any customer event that we hold. By involving people with disabilities every step of the way, we ensured that the event was meaningful and suitable for all. The day involved activities, discussions and games all based on our theme of Ageing Well. We take pride in tackling serious topics in a way that is engaging and entertaining. People in attendance had great fun and hopefully learnt something new in the process.”
“We want the customer conference to be a springboard for offering new services. Currently, we are in the planning stages of creating a Retirement Club and all of our delegates have been invited to help us design what it should offer and how it will run.”
The customer conference was held in memory of Julie, a member of the planning group who passed away in July. She was a larger than life character who was a friend to many, and it was only right that she was remembered and honoured on the day.
Optalis provides a variety of tailored care and support services to older people, people with dementia, learning disabilities and/or physical disability and mental health conditions. Co-production continues to be a key focus for Optalis, with customer engagement vital to enable services to be shaped in the right way.
