We’re excited to announce Lifestyle Medicine Jersey as a successful grant recipient of the CareTech Challenge! This Jersey-based not-for-profit business is launching the Hero of Health Jersey App to transform the way older adults live, connect, and thrive in their communities. The app will bring together community, hospital, and voluntary sector health services, all focused on promoting independence and improving the lives of our older adult community and their family carers.
Building Healthier Communities Across Jersey
The Hero of Health Jersey App is more than just a health tool — it’s a platform to transform lives by meeting people where they are at with their health and wellbeing, and providing a lifelong approach to sustainable lifestyle changes – harnessing technology to create real life connections! Through newfound friendships and knowledge sharing, participants can improve their quality of life and feel like the real heroes of their own health, inspiring their neighbours and family along the way.
Key Features of the Live Well Jersey App:
- Social Prescribing Bot: Powered by AI, the app connects users to local services, guiding them to the right support, from GP and hospital services to our thriving community and voluntary sector.
- Lifestyle Education: Access to online and in-person health education that empowers users to make healthy lifestyle changes, reduce chronic disease risk, and improve overall wellbeing.
- Group Health Coaching: Delivered through health walks, casual coffee shop settings, and online drop-in sessions.
- Virtual Neighbourhoods: A geo-social mapping feature connects users with others in their area, promoting social connections and continuity of care.
- Integrated Support for Carers: The app ensures carers are supported with resources, training, and a voice in the healthcare process, reducing their stress and enhancing their role.
Supporting Independence for Older Adults
The app empowers older adults in Jersey to stay independent by fostering social connections, improving access to healthcare, and offering tools for self-management. It’s an accessible way to reconnect older adults with their community and help them take control of their wellbeing.
For Older Adults:
- Reducing Isolation: By building strong local support networks, the app helps users stay socially engaged and mentally well.
- Health Education and Self-Care: The app promotes better self-care, reducing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and improving mental health.
For Carers:
- Enhanced Support: Carers get the resources, training, and support they need to maintain their own wellbeing whilst caring for their loved one(s).
For Jersey’s Healthcare System:
- Improved Health Outcomes and Efficiency: The app can help reduce the burden on local healthcare services by promoting self-management and neighbourhood networks, and by using the expertise of local Lifestyle Medicine Health Care Professionals.
Why We Chose Lifestyle Medicine Jersey
The Lifestyle Medicine Jersey team combines cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of local needs. Their Live Well Jersey App is an innovative solution that integrates healthcare, community, and social support into one seamless experience. The app’s ability to empower individuals, support carers, and enhance local healthcare services makes it a standout solution for Jersey’s older adult population.
Looking Ahead
With Impact Jersey’s funding, Lifestyle Medicine Jersey will roll out the Live Well Jersey App across the island, starting with the community sector such as our Parish services, GP surgeries, and community/voluntary services, followed by looking at how it could be scaled up to support our Hospital’s services and wider public health. This initiative will create interconnected ‘Healing Neighbourhoods’ that promote health, independence, and stronger community ties for older adults and their carers.
Read more: Meet the first round of ‘CareTech Challenge’ projects
