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CARRICK
OVER-50’S FORUM
NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 26 – DECEMBER 2012
SUPPORTING & CAMPAIGNING FOR THE OVER-50’S
Our last lunch was held in Truro at the Merchant House Hotel (the old Carlton Hotel) a first for us and a first for them in their refurbished dining room. A great success. They had also installed new IT equipment which we made use of immediately. A hearing loop is promised for the new year. Before we welcomed our main speaker we had a visit from Caroline Schanche who came to remind us about the workshops she is running in the Carrick area and hoped she would see some of us there (more on that later).
Our speaker was Anthony Ball whose job description is Tackling Inequalities Co-ordinator but in reality he was talking about our wellbeing during the winter months. He was very much appreciated by everyone and gave out some useful leaflets and contact details.
We will be having our Christmas lunch at the Greenlawns Hotel in Falmouth as we did last year. This time we will be joined for lunch by “a lively group of boys” the Cousin Jacks from Richard Lander School and they will be entertaining us after lunch in their own inimitable way.
All that remains is to wish everyone a warm, happy and healthy Christmas.
Judith Whiteley
Chairman
PENSION CREDIT
Following many people asking about pension credit because of the Post Office Christmas stamps offer, here is a brief comment.
Pension Credit is an income related benefit made up of 2 parts:
• Guarantee credit
• Savings credit
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income if it is below £142.70 (single people) £217.90 (couples).
Savings Credit is an extra payment for people who have saved some money towards their retirement (eg a pension) singles up to £18.54 and couples up to £23.73 a week.
Fuller details can be found by contacting the Pensions Service on www.gov.uk or telephone 08456 060 265 or probably better to get some independent advice from your Citizens Advice Centre.
CALL24 ALARM RESPONSE SERVICE
An introduction from Mark Stephenson at Call24
Hello! My name is Mark Stephenson and I work as Marketing Assistant for Call24, the Plymouth based telecare alarm response service.
Our service has been in existence for 25 years now and covers both Devon and Cornwall, supporting elderly, disabled and vulnerable people to remain living independently in their own homes with safety and dignity for as long as possible.
Our service currently provides support to over 9,000 people in both sheltered housing schemes and private & rented housing and is now part of the Devon & Cornwall Housing Group.
2012 has been a momentous year for Call24 which has seen our service move from it’s old call centre in Estover, Plymouth to a brand new Call Centre at Ker Street Devonport. As well as equipment installations and maintenance, we also have our own 24/7 calls handling team.
2012 has also seen our acceptance onto the Trading Standards Buy With Confidence Scheme as the UK’S first telecare response service to register onto the scheme. Along with our TSA (Telecare Services Association) accreditation, this means that Call24 has finally been recognised for it’s commitment to trading fairly.
Part of my role as Call24’s Marketing Assistant is to go out and meet groups and organisations across the region to inform them of the existence of Call24 via talks and presentations. All talks are free of charge and also include examples of the equipment used. Nobody is asked or expected to sign up during or after these talks. (or at any other Call24 events for that matter.)
Anyone interested in booking the Call24 Roadshow for a community event or service talk then please contact myself on: 01752 856124 or alternatively via email at: mark.stephenson@call24hour.com
Current rental and installation charges
Basic alarm and pendant rental: £3.18 per week.
Installation/Self installation charge: £39.00/£14.99 respectively.
TELEPHONE: 01752 856124
EMAIL: mark.stephenson@call24hour.com
WEBSITE: www.call24hour.com
SOUTH WEST SENIORS’ NETWORK
I was delighted to be invited by your Chair Judith to write a few words in your newsletter in my capacity as Chair of the South West Senior’s Network (SWSN) of which Carrick over 50’s Forum is an active member. I was particularly pleased to be asked because I always look forward to receiving an electronic copy of your excellent informative and humorous newsletters. I would like to take this opportunity of congratulating Judith and her band of excellent volunteers who work so hard on your behalf.
The key role of the SWSN is to provide a collective voice for our Forums in promoting the welfare and interests of older people within the South West and continue to strive in improving our seniors` quality of life.” This can be best achieved by making meaningful representation to local, regional, national and European governments, governmental agencies and other organisations involved with the concerns of older people.” From my perspective even more important is the vital role that local forums undertake in representing grass roots opinions and promoting an active lifestyle for seniors in their own communities.
I was most pleased to read the feedback in the last issue on the Dilnot report, the SWSN were actively involved in that consultation process. We have also expressed our concerns directly to Ministers at the way the Government is dragging its heels around the implementation of the recommendations of an excellent report. We are also actively involved in discussion with Ministers on issues facing rural areas, particularly around transport, digital exclusion and social isolation issues. Early in the New Year we hope to be able to bring you more updates on those subjects, In the meantime on behalf of my colleagues on the management committee of the SWSN and myself I would like to wish you all a most enjoyable festive season,
Brian Warwick, Chair SWSN
SNIPPET
Let’s make “Fish the Dish” for 2013
This campaign has been launched to encourage the UK to eat more fish by Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon. He claims that “currently four out of five households eat fish once a month – I want that increased to twice a week” he says.
JUST FOR FUN
The New Alphabet
A is for apple, and B is for boat. That used to be right, but now it won't float! Age before beauty is what we once said, but let's be a bit more realistic instead.
Now The Alphabet:
A's for arthritis; B's the bad back, C's the chest pains, perhaps cardiac?
D is for dental decay and decline, E is for eyesight, can't read that top line! F is for farting and fluid retention, G is for gut droop, which I'd rather not mention.
H high blood pressure - I'd rather it low; I for incisions with scars you can show. J is for joints, out of socket, won't mend, K is for knees that crack when they bend. L's for libido, what happened to sex? M is for memory, I forget what comes next. N is neuralgia, in nerves way down low; O is for osteo, bones that don't grow!
P for prescriptions, I have quite a few, just give me a pill and I'll be good as new! Q is for queasy, is it fatal or flu? R is for reflux, one meal turns to two.
S is for sleepless nights, counting my fears, T is for Tinnitus; bells in my ears! U is for urinary; troubles with flow; V for vertigo, that's 'dizzy,' you know.
W for worry, now what's going 'round? X is for X ray, and what might be found. Y for another year I'm left here behind, Z is for zest I still have - in my mind!
I've survived all the symptoms, my body's deployed, And I'm keeping twenty-six doctors fully employed!
Idle Thoughts
“I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.”
“Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone.”
“If the world were a logical place, men would be the ones who ride horses sidesaddle.”
“Protons have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic.”
“Is it me – or do buffalo wings taste like chicken?”
CAMPAIGN TO END LONELINESS
Monday, 29th October was a resounding success for the Campaign Fair. This was to showcase the services available to help keep older people connected and was held in the Princess Pavilion, Falmouth. It was really heartening to see so many of our Members turning up to help on our stall or just to enjoy themselves. Thanks particularly to my helpers who encouraged people to fill in the survey about loneliness and isolation in Cornwall; sold raffle tickets, and handed out leaflets. The real fun thing was one of our members won the huge chocolate sponge in the shape of a pirate ship. It was so huge she told me she had to ask a neighbour to cut it up for her!
CELEBRATING AGE & AMBITION
There were four workshops in the Carrick area for creating art in the form of painting, music, poetry with a view to displaying it eventually at the Exchange Gallery in Penzance on the 11th and 12th January. Unfortunately no-one turned up for the first workshop. I attended two, one in Falmouth Library and one in Truro Library and the turnout was abysmal.
Please don’t let Caroline down again. Be at her Tea Party on Wednesday 14th November at the Princess Pavilion. Entertainment and free cream tea is on offer.
CORNWALL MOBILITY CENTRE
The Cornwall Mobility Centre, a Registered Charity, provides a range of specialist services and equipment to help with independent mobility.
The largest most dynamic Mobility Centre with the biggest range of services within the UK Forum of Mobility Centres, to which the Centre is fully accredited. The services offered encompass assessments, information and advice for Paediatric mobility and transportation, daily living equipment, driving and wheelchairs.
Our Engineering services fit adaptations to vehicles in line with recommendations from assessments, and repair all types of mobility/rehab equipment.
Our Independent Living and Mobility Equipment showroom provides a free assessment service for manual and powered wheelchairs and scooters, seating, bathing, kitchen, paediatric and independent living equipment.
We will be having a talk and demonstration from the Cornwall Mobility Centre in the new year.
AGE RELATED TAX ALLOWANCES
In the 2012 Budget the Government froze the Old Age Pensioners Age Related Tax Allowance and cancelled them for those turning 65 after 5 April 2013. This prompted a swift response to Her Majesty’s Treasury in the form of a petition (which some of us may well have signed). Currently that petition has reached over 67,000 signatures and has consequently generated a response.
Below is the petition:
“We consider that at a time when pensioners are struggling to make ends meet and yet are a group of people due to age, health, etc who have extremely limited opportunities to make good lost income, this reduction in allowances is grossly unfair. The Government should therefore take immediate action to reverse the decisions on these allowances which were announced in 2012”
In a nutshell this is the response but fuller details can be found on line.
==> For existing recipients, allowances will be frozen at their 2012-13 levels until the Personal Allowance aligns with them
==> A commitment that personal allowance will be set high enough to ensure that those solely reliant on the basic State Pension do not pay any tax
==> In April 2012 the Basic State Pension increased by £5.30
==> Pensioners will also continue to be exempt from National Insurance Contributions of 12% on employment income
==> Also protected are the free prescriptions, free eye tests, free bus passes and Winter Fuel Payments and for the older pensioners free TV licences.
The e-petition is still open for signatures until 22 March 2013. If the number of signatures reaches 100,000 there will be a debate by the Backbench Business Committee.
There are many reasons for supporting this petition and I am aware that some of you do not have electronic communications but I would urge people to sign this petition (you may have a friend who would do it for you)
Sign up on the website at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/
PUNCH A PENSIONER ROW
Shame on Robbie Williams, the teenage idol and shame on the BBC for airing such an inflammatory interview – even if they did view it as “clearly a joke”. Images of violence are not a joke.
The video promoting a single for Robbie Williams actually depicts him punching an elderly woman. He clearly is not aware of the thousands of elders who live in fear of violence.
To quote the remarks made by Robbie Williams on the Graham Norton show – “they wanted me to kick a dog but I’m an animal lover, so I was just not having that. Then they said punch a pensioner and I said like yeah I’m in”.
Remember Winterbourne View and other establishments closer to home. Poor timing, poor taste.
YOUNG AT HEART
Are you over 65 years of age and want to boost your happiness and improve your wellbeing?
If the answer is ‘yes’, then come along to our relaxed and friendly sessions, which have been proven to help people manage stress and make positive changes to their lives.
We look at topics including:
==> Positive psychology
==> Overcoming worry
==> Reducing stress
==> Developing confidence
==> Being assertive
As part of an interactive, three session programme, you will develop self-help skills that enable you to live well in the present and plan for the future with optimism.
Many older adults experience social isolation, bereavement from the loss of friends and loved ones, lack of contact with family members or a long-standing physical illness. These life events can often affect the way we think, feel and behave and can sometimes make us feel low, anxious, panicky, stressed, worried or depressed.
If you experience any of these feelings then why not come along to one of our educational courses that will give you the skills and confidence to help yourself and enable you to live well in the present and plan for the future with optimism.
It’s a 3 session course (about 2.5hrs per week) for adults over 65 years of age who want to make positive changes to their lives and help prepare for some of the challenges of the coming years.
This specifically adapted course has been running for a few years and is ‘tried and tested’. The inclusion of activity handouts helps to empower you to make small positive changes. Research shows most people find the course very helpful and the more effort you put in, the more benefit you get.
The course dates are:
Monday 28h January (part 1)
Monday 4th February (part 2)
Monday 18th February (part 3)
2:00pm - 4:30pm
Boscawen House Chapel Hill, Truro,
Cornwall, TR1 3BN
If you are interested in finding out more or want to book a FREE place, phone: (01208) 871904
http://www.outlooksw.co.uk
OUR RIGHTS, OUR VOICES
Promoting the Human Rights of older people
The first big meeting is on Monday 26th November at the Greenlawns Hotel, Falmouth. It is hoped to get a meeting before then to decide on a possible programme of work before the AgeUK and trainer comes down.
ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS
Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, yet the youngest you’ll ever be, so enjoy this day while it lasts.
Observations on growing older:
Going out is good. Coming home is better!
When people say you look "Great", they add "for your age!"
When you needed the discount, you paid full price. Now you get discounts on everything ... Movies, hotels, flights. But you're too tired to use them.
You forget names, but it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!
Your spouse is counting on you to remember things you don't remember.
The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.
You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".
Remember when your mother said, "Wear clean underwear in case you GET in an accident"? Now you bring clean underwear in case you HAVE an accident!
You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" & "OFF" switch. When Google, iPod & email were unheard of, and a mouse was something that made you climb on a table.
You tend to use more 4 letter words like "what?" and "when?".
Your husband has a night out with the guys, but he's home by 9:00PM. Next week it will be 8:30PM.
You read 100 pages into a book before you realize you've read it.
Now that your husband has retired, you'd give anything if he'd find a job!
But old is good in some things: Old songs, old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.
SNIPPET
Comfy Shoes will be with us again at the Greenlawns Hotel on 4 December with a selection of slippers, bed socks and winter shoes
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:
4TH DECEMBER - Greenlawns Hotel, Falmouth. Please note that on this occasion only the lunch is on a Tuesday.
GUEST SPEAKERS:
“Cousin Jacks” from Richard Lander School, Truro, who will be entertaining us after lunch in their own inimitable way.
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.
Please let Judith know if you are coming and require lunch.
DATES FOR 2013
Dates to be advised.
PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS:
cornwall.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=27127
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
17 Church Road,
Mylor Bridge
TR11 5NL
DAVID WHEELER (TREASURER)
TELEPHONE: 01326 315305
Disclaimer: the views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Editor or Carrick Over-50’s Forum
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