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Welcome to the Twenty first edition of the Over-50s-Newsletter
What an amazing Christmas and New Year – somewhat bemusing for some of us to find roses and daffodils flowering at the same time but thankfully the cold of last year has kept away and with luck most of us will have kept warm.
Our Christmas lunch was held at the Greenlawns Hotel in Falmouth and what a wonderful surprise, after the event, Age UK London said they would pay for it! I know - you all contributed – we will sort it out next time we meet.
Our speaker, Naomi Campbell, was definitely different! She immediately grabbed our attention with fascinating glimpses of her personal life which then led into the purpose of her visit which was to talk about the Hydration Project – sounds very dry but was far from it – it seemed somewhat unusual to be discussing urine at a Christmas lunch but we did! The project is a vital one affecting many people not only at home but in hospitals and care homes. It seems a basic thing that people have access to enough to drink but if it is physically impossible to reach a cup, hold and raise a cup – what then? The research being done by Naomi is marvellous and we were intrigued to learn that her next presentation is in the House of Lords. She is a member of the All Parliamentary Hydration Forum and has been invited to present her Hydration Project. There were requests for Naomi to return at the conclusion of her research to give us an up date.
At a meeting of the Management Committee we had a very persuasive speaker, Jayne Robinson who came to talk about the national charity Home- Start. Home-Start Kernow works in this area. She described the volunteering opportunities for working with parents in their home providing non-judgemental practical and emotional support. If you want to know more visit their website www.home-start.org.uk.
With the coming of the New Year we know we face new challenges but with a little bit of luck and goodwill there is nothing we can’t handle.
The Management Team wish you a happy and healthy 2012.
Judith Whiteley
Chairman
WHAT IS THE FORUM ALL ABOUT?
New members and new readers are not always sure of our purpose in life. We are in fact one of 60 such groups in the South-West of England – all very diverse in their running but all with one aim to get the very best for older people.
People often ask how we differ from other organisations and charities. Many other organisations are usually single-issue and many of them health related but we will “have a go” at whatever is worrying a group of people, large or small, and even individuals who are not being heard.
We make representation hopefully in the right places and with 60 groups, with a combined membership in the thousands, we do have influence through various routes to Ministerial levels.
Our Forum has “had a go” at wheelchair access to ferries and waterside in general, keeping public toilets open, buses and other transport problems, and most recently the insulation of Park Homes, to name a few.
The Carrick Over-50s aims are set out below:
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 positive view of ageing and older people.
To help reach out to people who are lonely and isolated.
For a greater awareness of older people’s interests and wants.
To support more efficient legislation.
To support better services.
To work in partnership with all agencies affecting the lives of older people including local and national government - but remain non-party -political.
SNIPPETS
Paul Burstow, Minister of State for Care Services conceded that eligibility for financial support for care was a lottery and this needs to be grappled with. Equally there were unacceptable differences in the quality of care provided “some care homes are places of light and life. Others are just warehouses”
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has been monitoring poverty and social exclusion in 2011 and research became available in December. A few quotes may be of interest regarding the elderly (over 50)...
The “good” news first
“The pensioner poverty rate, at 16%, is now around half the rate it was in 1997”.
But...
Fuel poverty and housing
“The proportion of households in fuel poverty has risen significantly in the last few years. Almost all households in the bottom tenth by income are in fuel poverty, as are half of households in the second bottom tenth”
“The number of households accepted as homeless in England rose in 2010/11 for the first time since 2003/04 and now stands at 65,000.” The coming together of a range of factors, including falling incomes and high unemployment, may cause homelessness to rise further in the near future”.
“Recent rises in fuel prices have led to a huge increase in fuel poverty, particularly those on lower incomes. In 2009, 85% of households in the lowest tenth of the income distribution were in fuel poverty. This represents an increase of at least 40% since 2003.”
For fuller information try www.jrf.org.uk
A reminder that all our newsletters can be found on the following web sites:
www.cornwall.gov.uk/Default.aspx? page=27127
www.intocornwall.com/engine/ business.details.asp?id=346
KEEPING FIT THIS WINTER
Following Jayne Devlin’s exercise and dance session at the October Forum meeting and by popular demand, we are making a modest start on classes beginning on Monday 16 January.
This is supported by Fit as a Fiddle and Age UK Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.
Anyone is welcome to join the class, it is not just for local residents. If this is a successful venture and if the demand is there we will try to expand into other areas. Your decision!
CARRICK OVER-50’S FORUM with JAYNE DEVLIN supported by Fit as a Fiddle, Age UK Cornwall INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE OVER 50’S LET’S DANCE GROUP
This class is specifically designed to include seated participants. It aims to in- crease your mobility, flexibility and stamina through a series of gentle exercises and dance routines. You do not need a partner!
starting Monday, 16 January at 1.30 till 2.30 then every Monday
followed by refreshments
TREMAYNE HALL, MYLOR BRIDGE
For further information please contact Jayne Devlin 07840 109505 or Judith Whiteley on 01326 374279
UPCOMING MEETING
The next forum meeting on 9th February at the Carlton Hotel, Truro, will host speakers Dr Greg Hibbins and Gina Pearson.
Dr Greg Hibbins has been a special forces soldier, honorary game ranger, pastor, headmaster and consultant educator and trainer. He is a self confessed gadget guy and loves all sorts of technology. Through the years he has helped many overcome their fears of technology and start their journey into the tech age. He will be bringing a selection of tablets/iPads/gadgets for us to sample.
Gina Pearson is the Senior Manager at County Services, Adult Care and Support.
Gina will be speaking specifically on STEPS (Short Term Enablement and Planning Service) which is a support service for all adults needing help for a limited period of time. She will also talk about the work with hospital discharge teams, the pilot project supporting early discharge for Stroke patients and the use of assistive technology.
Accompanying Gina will be Andrea Retallick who is the, comparatively new, Manager for the Carrick area.
The Penfolds will also be at the Carlton Hotel from 12.00 with a selection of their comfyshoes for both men and women. You will be able to try on anything that takes your fancy and browse through their catalogue.
------ ADVERTISEMENT ------
Need a hand with some tasks? P.A. Agency can find you a personal assistant to provide that helping hand.
I have set up a service to support people in Cornwall to have a personal assistant (carer) to provide them with the care and help they need in their own home or their local community.
A personal assistant (PA) is someone who can help with tasks you find difficult. For example: shopping, cooking, housework, driving, personal care, going to see your friends, going to the hospital or anything else you want to do.
The support service I run can help you to have a PA. We can find you a personal assistant and check their history and experience. We can help you employ them. We can support you in telling your PA their tasks and we can tell you how much to pay them.
I have arthritis and have two PAs. I find it a great way to get the help I need to live in my own home and to do the things I want.
If you are assessed as needing high levels of care you can get money from Cornwall Council called a ‘Personal Budget’. This is a new system to help people control the care they receive. I use mine to pay my PAs.
However, even if you pay for your care yourself, you can still have a PA.
To have a friendly chat about how a personal assistant could help you please contact Amy Rice on 01872 885663, email info@paagency.co.uk or visit our website www.paagency.co.uk
JUST FOR LAUGHS
This is a small tribute to all those Grandmas and Grandpas who have been fearless and learned to use the Computer; with apologies to those who do not understand about worms and viruses....
The computer swallowed grandma.
Yes, honestly it’s true!
She pressed ‘control’ and ‘enter’
And disappeared from view.
It devoured her completely,
The thought just makes me squirm.
She must have caught a virus
Or been eaten by a worm.
I've searched through the recycle bin
And files of every kind;
I've even used the Internet,
But nothing did I find.
In desperation, I asked Jeeves
My searches to refine.
The reply from him was negative,
Not a thing was found ‘online.’
So, if inside your ‘Inbox,’
My Grandma you should see,
Please 'Copy, Scan' and 'Paste' her
And send her back to me
NEW MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AND ESSENTIAL FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS FORUM
DR PHIL DOMMETT ON HEALTH MATTERS
I was pleased to see the letter written to the Telegraph newspaper this month from key leaders in older persons’ care. It quite rightly pointed out the desperate need to fund adequately the care of dependant elderly. The Dilnot Report last year made recommendations which the authors of the recent letter want to see implemented.
We have currently a very unhealthy divide between funding in Social Care and in Health which leads to delays and disputes. Hospital beds locally are blocked because of a lack of forward planning and options for funded discharge care.
As I have said in previous contributions to this newsletter, it is imperative that we face the facts: that care with dignity costs money. Without the basics we will have Carers run ragged, and on occasions even elderly people being abused and humiliated.
Happy New Year ... and don’t forget to join the Fit as a Fiddle programme if you can get to Mylor. Even if you don’t play the violin, I am sure it will be loads of fun and good for your health in 2012.
NB for those unfamiliar with the Dilnot Report.
Andrew Dilnot is an economist and broadcaster. From 1991 – 2002 he was the Director of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and is currently the Principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford.
The Commission for Funding Care and Support was set up by the Government in July 2010 to make recommendations on how to achieve a fair, affordable and sustainable system for funding adult social care. Andrew Dilnot chaired this Commission and reported the findings to Government in July 2011. Many of the recommendations were deemed to be more than sensible and reasonable but await implementation!
UPCOMING MEETINGS
BI-MONTHLY FORUM MEETINGS
The bi-monthly meetings all take place on a THURSDAY from 12.00 noon until 3.00pm.
NEXT MEETING WILL BE:
9TH FEBRUARY - Carlton Hotel, Truro
SPEAKERS ARE:
Gina Pearson from Adult Social Care to talk about the STEPS programme. Dr Greg Hibbins, demonstrating iPads.
Bob & Judy Penfold from ComfyShoes.
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:
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
CONTACT THE FORUM
JUDITH WHITELEY (CHAIRMAN)
EMAIL: jwhiteley@cornwall.gov.uk
TELEPHONE: 01326 374279
DAVID WHEELER (TREASURER)
TELEPHONE: 01326 315305
WRITE TO:
Carrick Over-50’s Forum 17 Church Road, Mylor Bridge TR11 5NL
Disclaimer: the views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Editor or Carrick Over-50’s Forum
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