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Welcome to the Twentieth edition of the Over-50s-Newsletter
Once again we had a very indulgent buffet lunch at the Carlton Hotel but this time there was no possibility of a snooze.
Our first speaker was Dr Noreen Orr who is undertaking research at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry in Truro on the subject of the impact of physical activity on perceptions of ageing. Several of our members had previously signed up to offer themselves as guinea pigs but were uncertain as to the intended outcomes of this research. Dr Orr did her best to field the questions put to her but as she was undertaking research for another body she was not able to enlighten us as to what will happen to the findings when she presents them. We all await with interest
the answer.
Following that we met Jayne! Meeting Jayne was an experience and one which several people said they would like to repeat. Jayne, full of vitality, got us all at the very least toe tapping as we did a work-out to music, sitting or standing as we felt comfortable. This then led into learning a routine – not quite Strictly Come Dancing but certainly involving some moving and shaking of hips and other parts! Just as a footnote we are trying to set up a weekly session for those who expressed an interest.
At a meeting of the Management Committee we had a most enlightening talk from a member of the charity KPS (Kernow Positive Support). Myth gave way to fact and we felt that we should share some of the knowledge we gained about HIV and AIDS. There is a short article later in this newsletter.
We have kept to the same two Hotels for 2012, namely the Greenlawns in Falmouth and the Carlton in Truro. We will continue to hold the meetings every two months on a Thursday.
However, we still have our Christmas meeting which is at the Greenlawns Hotel in Falmouth and as last year it will be a Christmas lunch proper – hopefully the first of the season before you get tired of turkey and mince pies!
As this is our last meeting in 2011 the Management team would all like to wish you a happy Christmas and a prosperous, healthy and active New Year.
I look forward to seeing you on December1st. Judith Whiteley Chairman
DR DOMMETT ON HEALTH MATTERS
The Government's plans to reform the Health Service seem to be full steam ahead as they have passed through the House of Lords. The Euro-zone economy seems to be going down the Greek plughole and youth unemployment hits the million mark.
It is not all doom and gloom, but surely the time has come for HMG to tell everyone... we can't afford everything we want! We still have not heard publicly that in Cornwall services, referrals, prescribing of medicines, attendances at casualty MUST be cut, drastically. In GP World we hear about this all the time... and they are even talking of linking practice income to success in these areas. Time for a bit of honesty, methinks.
Don't forget your flu jab, that is still available to the at- risk groups free of charge!
RESIDENTIAL PARK HOMES
In August’s newsletter (18) we ran an article on residential Park Homes. Unfortunately the current situation is marginally, nay truly, worse! The £300,000 which had provisionally been set aside for insulating but not ring- fenced did indeed not see the light of day. The money was allocated to the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) which was also well over-subscribed (this fund is to help people with disabilities by providing various home needs such as handrails, bathing facilities etc). This is a mandatory obligation.
Not only Council properties but also private sector homes have access to this discretionary fund which was last year set at £6.4 million of which £5.3 million has already been spent with the remaining allocation already over- subscribed so nothing for Park Homes.
It also seems that next year will not be any better as the £2 million which could be carried forward will receive a whammy from the government who is making a cut of £2 million so there is still not enough for next year’s projected figures. So, in the 2011/12 budget the Park Homes money was shelved and it is unknown what will happen in the budget for 2012/13 but I think we can guess.
Incidentally the outcome of the recent trial on selected homes was superb and the Council boasts praises from Lord Graham of Edmonton but presumably His Lordship was not appraised of the huge numbers of people (approximately 3500 homes) still awaiting help many of whom will be cold this winter.
We did take this concern to the South West Seniors’ Network where we were told the issue would be taken up to Parliament.
NB. May I suggest that if you are living in a Park Home and have a health problem that requires constant warmth you talk to your doctor – you never know you may be eligible for a DFG!
COLD HOMES “BAD FOR HEALTH”
Many elderly people and low income households don’t realise the effect their homes may be having on their health. The Warm Front Team is raising the awareness of health problems associated with living in a cold, damp home and is encouraging eligible householders to seek assistance to stay warm and well by applying to the WARM FRONT scheme.
In 2009/10, 25,400 people over the age of 65 died as a result of the cold in England.
Those who are eligible for the scheme are householders who are over the age of 60 or in receipt of an income related benefit. To qualify, householders should live in their own home, or rent it from a private landlord. In addition the property must also be poorly insulated and/or not have a working central heating system.
Call Warm Front helpline on 0800 316 2814 or visit www.warmfront.co.uk
You may like to investigate other energy saving schemes at www.energysavingstrust.org.uk
‘THE GREEN THING’
In the queue at the supermarket, the cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own bags because plastic bags aren’t good for the environment. The woman apologised to him and explained “we didn’t have the green thing back in my day”. The cashier responded “that’s our problem today, your generation did not care enough to save our environment”.
He was right – our generation didn’t have the green thing in its day.
Back then we returned milk bottles, pop bottles and beer bottles to the shop. The shop sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized and refilled so that the same bottles could be used over and over again. But, we didn’t have the green thing back in our day.
Back then we walked up stairs because we didn’t have escalators in every shop and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300 horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But, we didn’t have the green thing in our day.
Back then we washed the baby’s nappies because we didn’t have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 240 volts – wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But, we didn’t have the green thing back in our day.
Back then we had one TV or radio in the house – not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief not a screen the size of the county of Cornwall. In the kitchen we blended and stirred by hand because we didn’t have electric utensils to do everything for us. But, we didn’t have the green thing then.
Back then we exercised by working so we didn’t need to go to the gym or a health spa to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But, we didn’t have the green thing in our day.
Back then we refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen. We replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But, we didn’t have the green thing in our day.
Back then people took the bus and the kids rode bicycles to school or walked instead of turning their mums into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. But, we didn’t have the green thing in our day.
But isn’t it sad that the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn’t have the green thing back then?
Remember: Don’t make old people mad. We don’t like being old in the first place, so it doesn’t take too much to p... us off!
MORE TOILET TALK
In our May newsletter (17) we cited the Public Health Act of 1848 that the provision of toilets is essential for the social and environmental well-being of its citizens. Managing just 223 toilets seems to be beyond the capabilities of Cornwall Council - plus presumably the amazing 3 new ones at St Austell town centre, Wadebridge end of the Camel Trail and at Summerleaze beach at Bude which is supposed to impress us that the Council is committed to “good provision of public toilets around Cornwall for the benefit of one and all” (Cllr Julian German). So it’s not one of the Council’s statutory duties but it bloomin’ well ought to be and it if is not theirs, whose is it?
This is not a matter of choice, this is a matter of every man woman and child needing a service which should be a given right. Health and well-being is a phrase which is on the lips of all health professionals and one to be taken with all seriousness. Retention of bladder and bowl contents does not make for either health or well-being. And don’t blame it on the elderly and vulnerable – it is everyone.
It is a good time to remind people that it is against the law to urinate or defecate in a public place. Surely, therefore it should be against the law to remove or close down existing facilities thus forcing people to take extreme measures to relieve themselves.
This topic has been going on for years at District and County level and should have been resolved years ago. The working panel is suggesting the possibility of closing between 100 and 114 – approximately half of the conveniences – which is appalling.
The Leader of Cornwall Council points out that the public conveniences working panel only makes recommendations. The actual final decisions rest with the Cabinet or full Council and we can only hope the right decision will be made later this month.
KPS SERVICES IN CORNWALL
By Anthony Basnett.
I was invited to speak to the Management Committee of the Carrick Over-50’s Forum just recently in Truro. When I introduced the topic of my presentation I was pleasantly surprised, as I am now in the habit of watching the faces of the people I am talking to for signs of adverse reaction but instead was met with a keen interest in a subject which is often taboo in polite circles. I linked Cornwall and HIV and awaited a response. The interest shown was heartening and I was able to go on and talk about the connection in more detail.
I work for a registered charity called KPS (Kernow Positive Support) and we are dedicated to the support of people affected by HIV in Cornwall. The medical model of HIV in 2011 is of an illness which can be controlled but still not cured. From that point of view it is like any other serious illness, Parkinson’s, MS and many others.
My work is about dealing with the social aspects of HIV and creating an awareness of it since it disappeared from the radar in the mid eighties. In four years in Cornwall the numbers of people living with HIV have increased threefold. The total number of people living and coping with HIV in the UK is around 70,000 and about one third again living with HIV which has yet to be diagnosed!
Many people are moving into the third age and coping with HIV but because it
is a sexually transmitted disease many are not prepared to talk about their illness. This leads to isolation and mental health issues and loneliness. Late diagnosis is also an issue. HIV is not particular and it will infect anybody, and does. The old stereotypes are no longer relevant. HIV is not a “gay man’s” problem, or an intravenous drug user’s problem, in fact the fastest growing sector of people infected by HIV is middle aged women.
Consider normal activities such as looking for a job, going out on a date, going on holiday and it is easy to see that the social aspects of having HIV have not kept pace with the medical model. Think about it – if you are looking for work and you are HIV positive, do you think you would be offered the job, say, in a restaurant, hotel, food processing, leisure industry or health setting? How long would it take a restaurant to empty if it became known the head chef had HIV? What sort of reaction would you get from the insurance company when asking for holiday cover if you are HIV positive?
I think you get the point. The very best way is to have an awareness of HIV and to protect yourself. Treat HIV like any other illness and be non- judgemental in your attitude to people who are infected.
If you would like further information about HIV in Cornwall visit www.kpsdirect.com
SNIPPETS
As a result of the article on “Water, Water, Everywhere” in the last newsletter I was contacted by Naomi Campbell who is a part-time nurse in the Minor Injuries Unit at Falmouth Hospital but is also working with colleagues at the Knowledge Spa on a HYDRATION PROJECT. Needless to say, she will be coming to tell us about this project at our December meeting. She hasn’t indicated if she needs guinea pigs!
NHS Cold Weather Plan
To support the Cold Weather Plan the Department of Health is establishing the Warm Homes, Healthy People fund for winter 2011/12. This is a major new initiative. We should know much more about this in November – that’s this month! This seems to have come about because evidence would suggest that the annual cost to the NHS due to cold private housing is over £850 million. So there will be, or should be, support for Warm Front and other similar schemes to help households which are vulnerable to fuel poverty.
Rural Transport - Buses
On-going grumbles from so many – justified?
Are we any further on since my last newsletter? I think not.
Norman Baker, the Minister in charge, acknowledges that buses are a lifeline for many rural people and that a good bus service contributes to the government’s key transport priorities. He also says that buses provide an attractive alternative to the car, not only by cutting carbon emissions but also unclogging road congestion.
As car owners age, there is an increasing dependence on public transport. For example, many of us don’t drive after dark, are not happy on unfamiliar roads or going long distances and of course there are those who simply can no longer afford to run a car. However, where are the buses when we really need them?
Calling All Centenarians!
University College London is hoping to identify people who have aged successfully and lived to over 100 years of age. They want to identify why these centenarians have not suffered from significant age-related illnesses by investigating their past history, diet, height, weight, family history and genetic make-up.
If you are over 100 or know anyone who is who would like to take part in the research for further details contact:
Henry Houlden MD, MRCP, PhD Professor of Neurology and Neurogenetics The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
Institute of Neurology Queen Square London WC1N 3BG
Tel: (0)20 7837 3611 extension 84068 Email: h.houlden@ion.ucl.ac.uk
UPCOMING MEETINGS
BI-MONTHLY FORUM MEETINGS
The bi-monthly meetings all take place on a THURSDAY from 12.00 noon until 3.00pm.
1ST DECEMBER: Green Lawns Hotel, Falmouth
The speaker at our meeting on 1st December meeting will be Naomi Campbell, talking about the Hydration Project and her work at the Minor Injuries Clinic.
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.
Lunch prior to the meeting is £5.00 per head. Please book your lunch with Judith.
DATES FOR 2012
Forum meetings:
9TH FEBRUARY Carlton Hotel, Truro
29TH MARCH Greenlawns Hotel, Falmouth
7TH JUNE Carlton Hotel, Truro
9TH AUGUST Greenlawns Hotel, Falmouth
4TH OCTOBER Carlton Hotel, Truro
29TH NOVEMBER Greenlawns Hotel, Falmouth
NEW FORUM MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
CONTACT THE FORUM
JUDITH WHITELEY (CHAIRMAN)
EMAIL: jwhiteley@cornwall.gov.uk
TELEPHONE: 01326 374279
WRITE TO:
Carrick Over-50’s Forum Truro Well-Being Centre Municipal Buildings Boscawen Street, Truro. TR1 2NE
DAVID WHEELER (TREASURER) TELEPHONE: 01326 315305
Disclaimer: the views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Editor or Carrick Over-50’s Forum
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