The NHS Orkney Aging Well service is dedicated to helping older adults across Orkney stay healthy, active, and independent for as long as possible. Our goal is to enhance quality of life, promote wellbeing, and reduce the risk of falls and hospital admissions.
Why Aging Well Matters
Orkney’s population is living longer, often with multiple health conditions. As we age, it’s natural for our muscles and joints to weaken, which can affect our balance, mobility, and confidence. The Aging Well service is here to support with this.
What We Do
The Aging Well service focuses on:
- Preventing falls through strength and balance exercises
- Identifying risks in the home and daily routines that could lead to falls
- Rebuilding confidence and mobility after a fall or period of reduced activity
- Reducing unplanned hospital visits and the need for long-term care
By supporting independence, we also help ease the pressure on families, carers, and social care services helping to benefit the whole community.
Who We Support
This service is designed for people who:
- Are at risk of falling or have already experienced a fall
- Are noticing a decline in strength, balance, or mobility
- Are becoming more frail and need support to stay active and safe
Our Approach
Previously known as the Day Hospital and Falls Prevention Service, this physio-led rehabilitation service has evolved over more than 20 years into the Aging Well Service. We work closely with occupational therapists and other professionals to provide tailored support based on individual needs.
Our dedicated Aging Well service team is made up of 2 Physiotherapists, 1 Occupational Therapist and 2 Rehabilitation Assistants. Together, they provide personalised support tailored to each individuals needs.
What We Offer
We provide a range of services designed to support your health, mobility, and confidence at home and in the community:
- Home-Based Assessments
A full assessment in your home, looking at your daily activities and environment to identify any risks or challenges. - Wellbeing and Safety Advice
Practical guidance on how to stay well, active, and safe in your own home. - Referrals to Other Services
We can connect you with other healthcare professionals, community exercise groups, and support services as needed. - Group Exercise Classes
Join others in fun, supportive sessions that focus on strength, balance and confidence. - Personalised Home Exercise Plans
Tailored exercises you can do at home to improve your strength and mobility. - Outdoor Mobility Practice
Support to help you feel more confident moving around outside your home.
As part of our assessment, we use the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale to help us understand a person’s overall level of fitness and frailty. This tool guides our approach by summarising how well someone is managing physically and functionally. Frailty can increase the risk of falls and is often seen in people who are experiencing muscle weakness, fatigue, slower movement, reduced physical activity, or unintentional weight loss. By identifying these signs early, we can offer the right support to help slow down or even reverse mild to moderate frailty—helping individuals stay active, independent, and well for longer.
How to Refer
Referral into the Aging Well Service can be made by a professional referral or self-referral.
To self-refer into the Aging Well Service or to find out more, contact:
- Email: ork.physio@nhs.scot
- Phone: 01856 888231