Wellbeing at Metlifecare

Irene and Roy Finlay participating in other wellbeing activities during regular village life

What does holistic wellness look like for older people? At Metlifecare we call it being ‘Your Best You’

Recognising that everyone has different wellbeing needs – which continue to change as our lives do – Metlifecare has worked with the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) School of Health Science to develop Six Dimensions of Wellbeing for Seniors (pictured below). AUT is a natural partner for this programme, with more than 20 years of research experience covering the health and activities of older people.

‘Your Best You’ started with a pilot programme at Greenwich Gardens, where AUT reviewed residents’ activities schedule against the dimensions, to ensure it provided a well-balanced selection, then trialled their approach with residents fully involved in the feedback loop.

Over the 30-day programme residents self-rated themselves against the six dimensions to measure progress. Now AUT is working with each village to ensure all six dimensions are present in their activities schedule. This is done on a village-by-village basis as each activity schedule is designed and run by village residents to suit both their unique mix of interests as well as the local recreational environment.