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CHRISTMAS LUNCH – a lifetime ago!
In the interests of economy you are getting two newsletters in one!
What fun! There were about 110 older people at the Green Lawns Hotel. The adjacent room had a bigger function than ours and we were happy to be in the restaurant with our smaller number but, habit dies hard and our members headed into the usual room and of course search parties were required to round up the lost souls. We did it in the end and lunch commenced.
We had been looking forward to a buffet but the Hotel Manager surprised us with a turkey and mince pie Christmas lunch – wow what a treat.
In the event we were 31 in number, two didn’t show but two more took their place.
Following the first course Dawn Maddern, the Young Carers Support co -ordinator from Cornwall Rural Community Council, entertained us with a beautiful unaccompanied spiritual and everyone joined her to sing a couple of carols. Lunch then recommenced with mince pies and coffee.
Our first speaker was Mr Roger Stephens from Hine Downing Solicitors from Falmouth. He has happily agreed to take up the reigns as our legal advisor and talked of various matters which could be of concern to Members. Many questions were forthcoming but we had to cut proceedings short with the promise that pressing matters could be discussed on a one -to-one basis by appointment.
Thanks were extended to Barbara Coumbe who has held the fort as Treasurer longer than she would have wished and we welcomed David Wheeler as our new Treasurer.
David gave a brief report of our financial status. He and the Chairman had spent an hour or two with Julie Green at the PCT working on possibilities for future funding and we are ever hopeful!
As raffle prizes were many and in some cases valuable, Bee and a member of the Hotel staff went to draw the tickets. One or two Members actually won something but with winners as far away as Castle-an-Dinas and Porthleven, it will take some time to get the prizes out. We were very grateful to all the donors for some great prizes.
So having settled that important piece of business we moved on. We had an exceptionally good demonstration from Sue Champion of Oakhouse Foods. There was such a variety of foods to look at and even some to eat – loved the éclairs – and Members asked very pertinent questions which had very thorough answers. In addition to foods, Oakhouse offers home shopping and boasts a very personal service. Everyone went home with catalogues to peruse at leisure.
Our very grateful thanks for the grant received from Cornwall Community Foundation for the Christmas lunch.
Christmas came and went and our next meeting was in February where we again met at the Green Lawns Hotel. On this occasion we have to thank the Manager for subsidising our buffet lunch. We said farewell and gave our thanks to Bee Henderson who was our very worthy Action Group Chairman. Sadly her health has let her down and she has had to give up some of her work. She was a real worker and will be missed.
We welcomed a number of new members and hope they will be supporting the work of the Forum. We reminded everyone that the next meeting will be following the AGM and we asked for nominations for the Executive Committee - not entirely sure from where this pompous title came! Very pleased to say there was a good response.
Questions posed by Dr Dommett were answered and we hope he will find them useful.
We were really pleased to welcome the White Watch from the Falmouth Fire Brigade. The talk and vivid short videos were of immense interest to everyone. Most of us were totally ignorant of the work done by the Brigade. Apart from fighting fires they
are doing amazing work educating the public, checking home safety, giving advice and generally leaving everyone with a very safe feeling.
What the next weeks and months will bring is open to speculation. The Forum, like all other community groups and charities has not escaped the funding cuts and therefore we are going to have to re-think what we can afford to do. We will have to ask for £5.00 for lunch contributions and at the AGM we will have to make a decision on whether or not there should also be a membership fee. At the moment we will continue to subsidise taxi fares.
On that cheerful note, Spring is in the air, let’s enjoy it!
Judith Whiteley
Carrick Champion for the Elderly and Vulnerable
SAFETY TIPS
Falls have been all around us this winter and some with very unpleasant consequences so apart from never moving what should we do to help ourselves?
As children if we slip and fall, we think nothing of it but now we are older we probably fracture a wrist or break a neck of femur (hip) which is then followed by surgery and months of recovery. So what happens next? We become afraid of falling and avoid exercise – the very thing which could help us.
Following that exciting start – what can we do about it? We may be physically challenged, eyesight, balance, muscles and bones weakening BUT regular physical exercise (forget your afternoon Countdown!) decent diet (whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fresh fruit and veg) and drink a-plenty (no – not G and T!).
As many falls occur at home we can take a few precautions.
I know many of us are on Lifeline – if
you are not, it’s a brilliant thing to do especially if you live alone.
Bathrooms can be real traps. Wet floors; getting in and out of baths and the need for grab rails and non-slip mats; is the toilet seat ok not too high or too low? All these things can be fixed – just ask.
Getting up in the night – if you are not fully awake can be a problem. Keep a night-light on or have a torch within easy reach of the bed. Even if you never use it at any other time, consider using a stick or walker. Avoid wearing sloppy slippers.
Kitchens are another story. How many of us climb on a chair to reach a high shelf? That is really asking for trouble. Make sure the kitchen floor is safe, not greasy or wet and no throw rugs.
Having said all that now please read the article “Mobilise!” and seriously think whether you should be taking exercise - even sitting down. There are moves afoot to offer help in this direction – don’t dismiss them.
MOBILISE
Mobilise is a countywide initiative that aims to get more people, more active, more often through walking and cycling. Mobilise is an NHS project run through Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Health Promotion Service and works in partnership with Natural England. Natural England’s Walking for Health (WfH) is the largest national body promoting and setting the standards for led health walks.
What is a Health Walk? A health walk is a led walk lasting between 30 minutes and an hour and a half It should be led at a pace which is brisk for the individual. It should take place over easy terrain with a level surface and no barriers. It should start at a slow pace to allow warm up, speed up for the main part of the walk, and then slow towards the end once more to allow cool down. It should make the individual feel warmer and sweat a little, increase their rate of breathing and raise their pulse, but not so fast that they cannot talk.
Why Walk?
Walking can: Make you feel good Give you more energy Reduce stress and help you sleep better Keep your heart ‘strong’ and reduce blood pressure Help to manage your weight Walking - the perfect activity for health Almost everyone can do it
You can walk anywhere and at any time It’s a chance to make new friends It’s free and you don’t need special equipment You can start slowly and build up
gradually.
The current recommendation for physical activity is just 30 minutes a day of moderate activity, such as brisk walking. That’s all it takes to feel the difference. You should aim for 30 minutes a day but you don’t have to do them all in one go to start with. You could walk for ten minutes, three times a day, or 15 minutes twice a day at first. The most important thing is that you start ‘where you’re at’ and build up gradually.
Walking in a group is a great way to start walking and to stay motivated. You’ll make new friends, improve your health and discover new places to walk locally. We work with a number of walking groups across Cornwall who are hugely successful due to their hard work and commitment.
Your local group will support you every step of the way and provide: Led health walks for absolute
beginners Trained walk leaders Other people to walk with A health questionnaire at the start of the walk Safe routes.
Find your local Walking for Health group - it really is as easy as stepping out your front door!
Gemma Baker has asked me to let you know about Health Walks and to give you a flavour of what you can expect. I list below one or two of the more local walks available but suggest you go to their web- site or telephone for full details.
FALMOUTH on Tuesdays with the Mobilise Team (tel: 01209 310062). Level 1-2. PENRYN Monday, Wednesday and Friday with Chas Wenmoth (tel: 01326 279141). Level 1-3.
TRURO, Stroll Back the Years on Tuesday and the first Friday of each month with Diane Taylor (01872 240783), Sue Maycock (01872 561084), Rena Hope (01872 560566),
Alison Hilton (01872 561442), Linda Chubb (01872 277045). Level 1-3.
Level 1 is approx 30-60 minutes, up to 11⁄2 miles. Flat hard surface. Level 2 is approx 11⁄2 hours, 1-2 miles. Some gradients, steps and uneven terrain.
Level 3 up to 2+ hours, 2-3 miles. Moderate gradients, stiles and steps cross-country terrain.
There are walks all over Cornwall – just phone and ask for details.
TELEPHONE: 01209 310062 WEBSITE: www.mobilise-cornwall.org.uk
OUR FORUM
People sometimes forget the purpose of the Forums, which exist not only in Cornwall but throughout the whole of the South-west and on up the country.
The Forums all have one specific goal to give support and to campaign for those in need. How we achieve this aim is down to individual Forums. Our Forum has a set of aims and I list them:
to be accessible to ALL people regardless of race, creed or needs
to make sure ageism is a thing of the past
to encourage a positivie view of ageing and older people
to help reach out to people who are lonely and isolated
to raise a greater awareness of older people’s interests and wants
to support better services
to support more efficient legislation
to work in partnership with all agencies affecting the lives of older people including local and national government
to remain non-Party political
As time has gone on, we have begun to lose sight of our goal and our aims. Our Forum now has a challenge. There are many people out there who are going to be in serious need of help for one reason or another and we must be, more than ever before, ready to give that help.
SNIPPETS
Executive Committee
If you were unable to be at the last meeting of the Forum but would like to be considered for the Executive Committee please let Judith know as soon as possible so that a form can be sent to you.
In need of carpentry or decorating services? Steve Davidson is CRB checked and willing to provide free, no obligation quotes for such work. Contact him on 01326 210172.
Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England, has acknowledged that Britain’s households are now facing the toughest squeeze in living standards since the 1920’s - before my time – how about you?
He also said that low and middle income families will be £720 poorer in 2012 than in 2009.
Enough of the depressing things –
A man named David received a parrot for his birthday. The parrot was fully grown, with a bad attitude and worse vocabulary. Every other word was an expletive. Those that weren’t expletives were, to say the least, rude. David tried hard to change the bird’s attitude and was constantly saying polite words, playing soft music, anything he could think of to try to set a good example. Nothing worked. He yelled at the bird and the bird yelled back. He shook the bird and the bird just got more angry and more rude.
Finally, in a moment of desperation, David put the parrot in the freezer. For a few moments he heard the bird squawk and kick and scream. Then suddenly there was quiet. Not a sound for half a minute.
David was frightened that he might have hurt the bird and quickly opened the freezer door. The parrot calmly stepped out onto David’s extended arm and said, “I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I will endeavour at once to correct my behaviour. I really am truly sorry and beg your forgiveness”.
David was astonished at the bird’s change in attitude and was about to ask what had made such a dramatic change when the parrot continued, “May I ask
what the chicken did?”
LETTERS
NHS changes
“This month we have seen the government pressing on with its drastic changes to the NHS: PCTs to be disbanded, hospitals all to become foundation trusts, consortia of GPs to take over budgetary and other duties and a set of rules to link in with Local Authorities for joint commissioning decisions.
“Local GPs have met many times to discuss the formation of these consortia, but the strengths and weaknesses of larger or smaller groups are still being thrashed out between us.
“The involvement of patients will be crucial – but how best to do it? There exist some excellent representative bodies but to make actual decisions between competing needs will be tough. Who decides?
“The recent survey of Carrick Over-50’s Forum suggests that people want a choice of hospitals and good local services. Everyone said that previous consultations have been inadequate, but the majority did not want more say in making these tough choices!
“Let us hope we get the set-up right in these difficult economic times.”
Dr Phil Dommett
25p Age addition
One of our readers noticed the reference to the 25p Age Addition for pensioners over 80 (A Generous Pension – August newsletter) The following is her fascinating response.
“As a retired State Pensions Officer I would like to explain about the 25p Age Addition for 80-year old pensioners. This amount was first introduced in 1971 for pensioners who had reached their 80th birthday. It was to enable them to purchase an extra bag of coal a week. It was an extra amount and is not applicable for uprating every year as in the case of the basic state pension.
“Later Governments have introduced Winter Fuel Allowance, Cold Weather Payments and Pension Credit to help pensioners with fuel bills so these benefits far exceed the additional coal allowance and are now applicable to all pensioners regardless of age.
“However, as the Age Addition is a benefit that has been passed by Parliament it would require the government to remove it by statute (and all the furore that would bring in the media!). Consequently it stays as a relic of a bygone era!”
Margaret Gray
My thanks to Margaret Gray, Great to have the history behind these seemingly quirky DWP offerings.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
BI-MONTHLY FORUM MEETINGS
The bi-monthly meetings all take place on a THURSDAY from 12.00 noon until 3.00.pm.
7TH APRIL: Carlton Hotel, Truro
2ND JUNE: Green Lawns Hotel, Falmouth
4TH AUGUST: Carlton Hotel, Truro
6TH OCTOBER: Carlton Hotel, Truro
1ST DECEMBER: Green Lawns Hotel, Falmouth
Transport can be arranged for those who really need it, but you will be asked to make a nominal contribution of £4.00 for your door to door service.
It was agreed at the last meeting that the buffet lunch will no longer be free. There will be a charge of £5.00 per meal. It is important to book your lunch. Please phone Judith or David.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Meetings of the Executive Committee will take place monthly in the Planning meeting room at Circuit House (old Carrick District Council Offices at 10am on the second Wednesday of the month.
9TH MARCH
13TH APRIL
11TH MAY
8TH JUNE
13TH JULY
10TH AUGUST
14TH SEPTEMBER
12TH OCTOBER
9TH NOVEMBER
14TH DECEMBER
Transport and Access and other theme groups will take place on the same Wednesday morning (obviously different times)
CONTACT THE FORUM JUDITH WHITELEY (CHAIRMAN) DAVID WHEELER (TREASURER)
EMAIL: jwhiteley@cornwall.gov.uk TELEPHONE: 01326 315305 TELEPHONE: 01326 374279
WRITE TO:
Mrs J Whiteley 17 Church Road Mylor Bridge. TR11 5NL
Disclaimer: the views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Editor, DACS or Carrick Over-50’s Forum.
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