Creative Ageing Network Meeting, Swansea University
23/07/2024 | Author: Andrea Davies, BCUHB Arts in Health and Wellbeing Coordinator
An inspiring afternoon and brought together colleagues from across Wales, all passionate about enhancing the lives of our aging population through innovative and creative approaches.
It was a pleasure to attend the Creative Ageing Network meeting hosted by WAHWN and Swansea University, held on 2:07:2024. It was an inspiring afternoon and brought together colleagues from across Wales, all passionate about enhancing the lives of our aging population through innovative and creative approaches.
The meeting was a unique opportunity to connect face to face with like-minded professionals dedicated to improving care for our ageing population. It was heartening to hear about the myriad of creative initiatives already underway in Wales. Ranging from Aesops Dance for Falls Prevention, Tanio – an organisation committed to providing access to a range of creative activities and interventions to different communities, plus Age Cymru`s Gwanwyn Festival- an annual month long festival celebrating creativity in older age and Ageing Well in Bridgend, to name but a few.
These initiatives not only provide stimulation and joy to older adults but also foster a sense of community and purpose.
One of the highlights of the day was visiting the Centre for Aging and Dementia Research (CADR). This facility is at the forefront of ground-breaking research aimed at understanding and addressing the challenges faced by aging populations and those living with dementia. Walking through the centre, it was fascinating to hear about the studies conducted there.
During the lunch break, we were kindly provided with a delicious meal, which was a perfect opportunity to network and share ideas in a more relaxed setting. The discussions over lunch were enriching, with everyone eager to share their experiences and learn from each other.
A particularly exciting part of the meeting was learning about the similarities between Wales and the Basque Country. Both regions share a commitment to improving the lives of their elderly populations, and it was enlightening to explore best practices from the Basque Country, which is doing exceptionally well in this area. The exchange of ideas and strategies between our regions promises to bring about positive changes and advancements in how we care for our aging citizens.
Overall, the Creative Ageing Network meeting was an uplifting and inspiring experience. It reinforced the importance of creativity and innovation in elder care and highlighted the incredible work being delivered both locally and internationally. I left the meeting with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for the future of aging care in Wales and beyond.
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Roedd yn bleser bod yng nghyfarfod y Rhwydwaith Heneiddio Creadigol a gynhaliwyd gan WAHWN a Phrifysgol Abertawe ar 2:07:2024. Roedd yn brynhawn ysbrydoledig a ddaeth â chydweithwyr ynghyd o bob rhan o Gymru, gyda phawb yn angerddol dros wella bywydau’r boblogaeth sy’n heneiddio drwy ddulliau arloesol a chreadigol.
Roedd y cyfarfod yn gyfle unigryw i gysylltu wyneb yn wyneb gyda gweithwyr proffesiynol o’r un anian sy’n ymroi i wella gofal i’r boblogaeth sy’n heneiddio. Roedd yn galonogol clywed am y llu o fentrau creadigol sydd eisoes ar waith yng Nghymru. Gan amrywio o Ddawnsio i Atal Cwympo Aesops Dance, Tanio – sefydliad sy’n rhoi mynediad at amrywiaeth o weithgareddau ac ymyriadau creadigol i wahanol gymunedau, a Gŵyl Gwanwyn Age Cymru – gŵyl flynyddol fis o hyd sy’n dathlu creadigrwydd i bobl hŷn a Heneiddio’n Dda ym Mhen-y-bont yn eu plith.
Mae’r mentrau hyn yn ysgogi ac yn llawenhau oedolion hŷn a hefyd yn meithrin ymdeimlad o gymuned a phwrpas.
Un o uchafbwyntiau’r dydd oedd ymweld â’r Ganolfan Ymchwil Heneiddio a Dementia (CADR). Mae’r cyfleuster hwn yn flaenllaw gydag ymchwil arloesol â’r nod o ddeall a mynd i’r afael â’r heriau a wynebir gan boblogaeth sy’n heneiddio a’r rheini sy’n byw gyda dementia. Roedd yn ddifyr iawn clywed am yr astudiaethau a gynhelir yno wrth gerdded drwy’r ganolfan.
Dros bryd blasus o fwyd a ddarparwyd i ni, roedd yr egwyl cinio’n gyfle perffaith i rwydweithio a rhannu syniadau mewn lleoliad mwy hamddenol. Roedd y trafodaethau dros ginio’n cyfoethogi, gyda phawb yn awyddus i rannu eu profiadau a dysgu oddi wrth ei gilydd.
Rhan arbennig o gyffrous o’r cyfarfod oedd dysgu am elfennau tebyg rhwng Cymru a Gwlad y Basg. Mae’r ddau ranbarth yn rhannu ymrwymiad i wella bywydau'r boblogaeth hŷn, ac roedd edrych ar arferion gorau Gwlad y Basg, sy’n llwyddo’n arbennig o dda yn y maes hwn, yn agoriad llygad. Mae’r cyfnewid syniadau a strategaethau rhwng y rhanbarthau’n addo arwain at newidiadau positif a datblygiadau yn y ffordd rydyn ni’n gofalu am ein dinasyddion sy’n heneiddio.
Yn gyffredinol roedd cyfarfod y Rhwydwaith Heneiddio Creadigol yn brofiad dyrchafol ac ysbrydoledig. Fe atgyfnerthodd bwysigrwydd creadigrwydd ac arloesi wrth ofalu am bobl hŷn ac amlygodd y gwaith anhygoel a wneir yn lleol ac yn rhyngwladol. Gadewais y cyfarfod gydag ymdeimlad newydd o bwrpas a chyffro am ddyfodol gofal i’r oedrannus yng Nghymru a thu hwnt.
