Advantage 36 website

Advantage

Age Scotland’s quarterly magazine summer 2013

Who will you nominate? p16 p14: Interview with the Minister for Older People p26: Tips for trips and outings inside: Your guide to energy efficiency schemes

Age scotland’s guide to energy efficiency programmes

issue 36

Advantage is the Age Scotland magazine that provides information, inspiration and ideas to empower Scotland’s older people, their friends, families and carers.

p 4

News

p 6

Calendar

p 7 Inform p 14 Interview p 16 Get Involved p 19 Going Local p 23 Inspire p 25 Soap Box p 26 Clubs’ Corner

If you have news, events or issues that you would like Advantage to cover, please get in touch. We would also welcome ideas on how we might improve the magazine.

Email: advantage@agescotland.org.uk Telephone: 0845 833 9313

Write to:

Advantage magazine is part-funded by grant support

from the Scottish Government. Age Scotland aims

Advantage, Age Scotland Causewayside House 160 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PR

to ensure that information in this magazine is accurate at the time of production and cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions, or for the content of any third party advertisements.

Age Scotland, part of the Age Network, is an independent charity dedicated to improving the later lives of everyone on the ageing journey, within a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland. Registration Number: 153343 Charity Number SC010100. Registered Office: Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR.

ISSN 1747-4515

Foreword

foreword

e ecutiv x E f e i h C Brian Sloan, Hi Everyone, Order the red carpet, call the paparazzi; the countdown to the Age Scotland 2013 Awards has begun. We may not have the glamour of the Oscars or BAFTAs, but what we do have are thousands of inspiring groups and individuals who are, in many different ways, making Scotland a better place for older people. Of course they are not doing what they do for praise or celebrity and some, I suspect, would prefer not to be in the limelight. Yet if you are, or know of, an individual or a group achieving something worthy of recognition, don’t miss out on this opportunity to introduce their work to a wider audience. By taking part in the Awards, you will be helping to raise public awareness of the vibrancy of older voluntary action, and joining us in challenging popular misconceptions about later life and our ageing population. You can find out more about the Awards on page 16.

As you read Advantage you’ll find that partnership is a strong theme throughout. We’ve joined forces with RNIB Scotland and Action on Hearing Loss Scotland to raise awareness of support for sensory loss (page 7), Shelter Scotland to enhance our Helpline (page 13), and Solicitors for Older People Scotland to help older people to access legal advice

(page 5). In the last edition we introduced our new partnership with David Urquhart Travel. We’re continually exploring new partnerships to improve our services, while never forgetting our most important partnership: with our member groups.

You may have noticed us recently advertising for a new Chairman due to our current Chair, James Wright, deciding to step down in September. James provided advance notice of his intention as he feels the timing is right and also his family would like to see a bit more of him! I know I speak on behalf of everybody involved with Age Scotland when I say that James has made a huge contribution to the Charity and we are all extremely grateful to him for his guidance and leadership. I have personally found him a great support and will endeavour to keep him involved with Age Scotland in some small way, and I do hope he won’t mind me calling him occasionally for his valued ‘nuggets’ of advice!

Bye for now

Brian Sloan

3

news

T

e shop ningsid h e M or

Last year’s winning intergenerational pho

to by Iain

Smith

Call for entries to

New shop offers art experience intergenerational photo Age Scotland has opened a new charity shop in Edinburgh at 147 Morningside Road, next door to Waitrose. Deputy shop manager Aimee Holt says: “We don’t want to be ‘just another charity shop;’ our vision is to stand out from the competition and offer a higher quality shopping experience with our new boutique. We are offering local artists space to exhibit and sell their work in the shop; so far popular Edinburgh artists Astrid Jaekel and Lynn Hanley have taken up the opportunity, with more to join them shortly.”

and video competition

To find out more about what’s in store, and to enquire about stock donations and volunteering opportunities, please call 0131 447 2551 or email morningsideedinburgh@agescotland.org.uk.

There are two categories to choose from - photo or video - each with a first prize of up to the value of £150 and a second prize of £75. The closing date is 27th September 2013. For details, and to enter, call 0141 559 5024 or visit http://generationsworking together.org/news/photo-video-competition/.

You can also join our Edinburgh shops on Facebook www.facebook.com/ AgeScotlandEdinburghCharityShops for latest updates on shop stock and events.

If you have difficulty hearing there are many devices and aids that can help you

4

Age Scotland partner Generations Working Together is looking for compelling and emotionally engaging photos and videos taken by amateur photographers and filmmakers that clearly show different generations working together. Entries can be taken by a younger or older person, should show younger and older people together, and should demonstrate the importance of intergenerational connections.

Free Health Information Guide Age Scotland has produced a free Health Information Guide for older people, with part funding from the Scottish Government. It covers topics including; exercise, diet, sight, bones, drinking, smoking, depression, feet, sleep and hearing. The Guide includes a pocket, allowing additional factsheets to be inserted on request, for example on conditions and illnesses such as flu and osteoporosis. To order your copy call 0845 125 9732 or download it from www.agescotland.org.uk/publications.

Follow us on www.twitter.com/agescotland

news

Proposals invited for Luminate 2013 Following its successful launch in 2012 Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing festival, will once again take place across Scotland from 1st to 31st October 2013. The festival spotlights arts activities with, by and for older people, as well as events for audiences and participants across the generations. In its inaugural year the programme was packed with over 280 activities, and on any given day in October a Luminate event was in full swing somewhere in Scotland.

If you are planning creative activities or events in Scotland in October 2013 which are aimed at older people, or which have a theme related to ageing, Luminate invites you to apply to have your event included in the brochure and on our website.

Please apply online at www.luminatescotland.org, or call 0131 668 8066 for a paper application form.

The deadline for applications is Friday 28 June.

Luminate is supported by Creative Scotland, The Baring Foundation and Age Scotland.

• WILLS • POWERS OF ATTORNEY • LIVING WILLS • GUARDIANSHIPS • AFTER A DEATH • TRUSTS • EQUITY RELEASE • LEGAL AID We’re dedicated to providing legal services for the elderly and vulnerable, with Legal Aid where possible, so that they and their families are prepared for the future by having their legal affairs in order.

Call 0800 152 2037 www.solicitorsforolderpeoplescotland.co.uk All our members are regulated by The Law Society of Scotland.

New partnership aims to help older people access legal advice Age Scotland is delighted to announce a partnership with Solicitors for Older People Scotland (SOPS), a new and growing network of Scottish law firms dedicated to providing legal services to older people in a caring and sensitive way. SOPS’ members, where appropriate, will undertake work on a legal aid basis, and where legal aid is not available their fees are competitive and affordable. They also abide by a code of practice that includes a free first interview to older people of up to thirty minutes; undertaking home, hospital or care home visits, and communicating in plain English.

Age Scotland Chief Executive Brian Sloan said: “Sadly, many older people are put off dealing with solicitors because of the worry and concern around legal matters and the uncertainty around the costs. Many don’t even take the simplest of steps to alleviate problems in later life for themselves and their family.”

SOPS founder David Borrowman said: “Members across the SOPS network are delighted to be working in partnership with Age Scotland and look forward to working closely with its network of member groups Scotland-wide in the coming months and years.”

For details of your local SOPS solicitor or to order their informative pack, which includes their popular ‘Handy Guides for Older People,’ call Age Scotland on 0845 833 0200 or email sops@agescotland.org.uk.

Call the Age Scotland Helpline: 0845 125 9732

5

calendar October 2013 1 Age Scotland Awards presentation and Scottish Parliamentary Reception See page 16 for details.

3 Scotland 2020: Realising the opportunities of an ageing population Edinburgh, venue to be confirmed The aim of this inaugural Scottish Productive Ageing Summit is to encourage a shift in focus - from the challenges provided by an ageing population, to the opportunities. It will seek to outline visions of a future (the Scotland of 2020) where our older generations are realised as net contributors and consumers in society. Speakers will include Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing. The conference is organised by Mackay Hannah in association with Age Scotland.

Visit www.mackayhannah.com or call Jane on 0131 556 1500 for further details.

All Luminate: Scotland’s creative ageing festival

December 2013 5 Scottish Older People’s Assembly Edinburgh International Conference Centre Hosted again by Gary Robertson from Radio Scotland, the Assembly will focus on the twin themes of Citizen Engagement and the impact of Welfare Reform. Organised by, and for, older people themselves, to provide a forum to share current areas of concern and ideas for the future, it is supported by Scottish Government, and Alex Neil has agreed to attend. To register an interest in this free event email acfaa@edinburgh.gov.uk or call 0131 469 3806.

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inform

Support for sensory loss One in five people aged 75 and older lives with sight loss, and 70 per cent of those aged 70 and older have a degree of hearing loss.

However research suggests that they often postpone seeking help; with regard to hearing loss, waiting 10 years on average.

Now a partnership between Age Scotland, Action on Hearing Loss Scotland and RNIB Scotland, with support from the Scottish Government, is encouraging older people to take early action to address sight and hearing loss. A Sight Loss and Hearing Loss Information Pack has been published and is available free of charge from the Age Scotland Helpline on 0845 125 9732.

Age Scotland Development Officers have also been trained to deliver local sensory loss awareness events, with pilot sessions held in each of the four Age Scotland regions. Laura Dunkel, East Development Officer, helped to run an event at Lydenoch House sheltered housing complex in Edinburgh. Laura says: “Participants appreciated the focus on practical things such as how to support a friend who has a hearing impairment by, for example, making sure you get their attention before speaking, and maintaining eye contact as you chat. They also shared experiences and tips, such as how to get the best out of the NHS Audiology Department.”

and ndy GP contact details. Tell the optician if you Weyour have a family history of sight loss, or are having falls.

• A liquid level indicator - a small device you can clip onto the side of a cup – can alert you if there’s a danger of spilling a hot drink.

Hearing loss • Digital hearing aids are available free of charge on the NHS, including battery replacement and maintenance. Speak to your GP in the first instance if you think you might benefit from one.

• Carpets and soft furnishings can improve the home environment for someone with hearing loss, by helping to absorb background noise.

• When talking to someone with hearing loss, speak at normal volume, as shouting is uncomfortable for hearing aid users and may look aggressive.

Directory Delia Henry, Director of Action on Hearing Loss Scotland, says: “It is important for people to know Age Scotland Helpline: that they are not alone and need not struggle as 0845 125 9732 - www.agescotland.org.uk many do with when they became aware that they have hearing loss.” John Legg, Director RNIB Scotland, Action on Hearing Loss: believes the new partnership will “help raise awareness 0141 0141341 3415330 5530 - www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk of sight loss and assist more people to access support.”

RNIB Scotland: Here’s a sample of the information on offer.

0131 652 3140 – www.rnib.org.uk/scotland If you think that people in your area could benefit from a Sensory Loss Awareness Session please speak • Have your eyes checked regularly; it’s free and people to your local Age Scotland Development Officer aged 60 and older can have an eye test annually. (contacts on pages 19 to 22.) There are no events • When visiting the optician, take your glasses (if you currently scheduled, however the team is keen to have any), details of any medications you are on, gauge local demand to inform forward planning.

Sight loss

Find topic fact sheets at www.agescotland.org.uk/publications

7

inform

u o y e Ar ? e r a w fi re a Almost twice as many people over the age of fifty are injured or die in fires in their home each year in Scotland compared to those under fifty, and the probability of having a fire, and of suffering fire injury or death, is higher in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK. John Russell, Community Safety Co-ordinator at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, explains how you can look after yourself, and vulnerable people you know.

A fire could destroy your home and contents and change your life for ever. Taking precautions is not only about ensuring your own safety, but also the safety of others.

The commonest causes of fire and fire injury in the home are carelessness, forgetfulness and distraction when preparing hot meals. Some prescription medications can make you less alert, and therefore less able to react quickly in a fire situation. Cognitive impairment, which can be caused by age-related illness, and consumption of alcohol or drugs, are also significant contributory factors in domestic fires.

If you think that any of these might apply to you, speak to your GP who will be able to advise you as to how you can best minimise the risk.

Fire fighters say that fires in older people’s homes are often linked to unsafe forms of cooking and heating, defective domestic appliances, worn or damaged electric blankets, and candles or tea lights used in

8

For insurance call 0845 833 0758

an attempt to minimise fuel, heating and lighting costs. Careless disposal of smouldering cigarettes and smoker’s materials is also a common cause of fatal fires.

But while risk of fire and fire injury increases as we get older, there are simple measures that can be taken to remain safe in your home. Working smoke and heat alarms are the first line of defence and, if correctly sited and maintained in working order, they will quickly alert you to a developing fire and give you time to safely escape and summon the emergency services.

You should install a heat detector or smoke alarm specifically designed for use in kitchens for early detection of fires due to cooking, or fires involving kitchen electrical appliances. These types of fire detectors are specifically designed to screen out false alarms due to cooking fumes. Smoke detectors should be sited in the hallway and stairway area at each level in the home, and in the living room and habitable rooms. This should include the bedrooms of people who are vulnerable from fire due to ill health or disability. Regularly test your smoke and heat alarms to ensure that they are working effectively; fire fighters are increasingly concerned at the number of fires in homes where there was no smoke or heat alarm, or the existing alarms were defective.

Local fire crews are available to give free home fire safety visits by prior arrangements. During a visit they will check fire safety arrangements, give

inform

Contact the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Detailed fire safety information and advice is available online at www.firescotland.gov.uk. advice and reassurance, and fit free fire detectors if you need them. Fire fighters are also asking Social Services, GPs and Health Visitors to be more aware of the additional risk of fire and accidents to older people and are asking neighbours, family, friends and carers to request home fire safety visits for people they think may be at risk from fire.

Voluntary organisations and local faith groups who make home visits to care for and support older or less able people are also invited to seek advice, and can also request that a home fire safety visit be carried out.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service works in partnership with communities, and those providing services for older people, to assist people to remain safe and independent in their own homes for as long as possible. It aims to ensure that those who need it have access to fire and safety advice, together with assistive safety technology such as community alarm or telecare monitoring services that include smoke and heat detection.

If you know anyone who may be at risk from fire and would benefit from a free home fire safety visit call the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Freephone 0800 0731 999 or text ‘fire’ to 61611.

The Age Scotland Helpline says We have a lot of calls from older people and their relatives who want to make sure they can live safely and independently at home. We will be working with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to update our information materials to make sure that people are aware of the risks of fire and how to minimise them.

Anyone who has problems with their heating should contact the Home Energy Scotland Hotline on 0800 512 012 to find out what help they may be entitled to.

If you are a tenant, your landlord is responsible for providing fire detection equipment for your home.

Call the Age Scotland Helpline: 0845 125 9732

9

inform

Put your

feet first

To mark Falls Awareness Week (17th to 21st June) we’ve teamed up with sister charity Age UK to offer advice for fitter feet.

As we get older, we’re much more likely to suffer from foot conditions and complaints, such as bunions and stiffness in toe joints and ankles. These problems can affect our balance and walking and reduce sensation in our feet. However you can take action to significantly reduce the risk of falling.

Footwear As well as influencing balance, poor footwear can act as a barrier and make it difficult to judge surface friction and distance from the floor.

Top footwear tips • Wear comfortable shoes that fit well. High-sided shoes with low heels and thin soles with a good grip can help if you feel unsteady. Secure shoes firmly with laces or velcro.

• Avoid wearing sandals and shoes with high heels.

• Wear slippers that have a good grip and that fasten and stay on properly.

Foot problems It’s important to report problems such as foot pain or any decreased sensation in your feet promptly to your GP or practice nurse.

Keep your toenails short. If reaching to cut your toenails is proving difficult, ask a family member for help or, if that isn’t an option, ask your GP or practice nurse about local toenail-cutting services. There may be a charge; however it should be available as part of a Free Personal and Nursing Care package.

Call NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88 for information about your rights to NHS services. Online information about foot problems is available at www.nhsinform. co.uk/MSK/lowerbody/foot.

If you have arthritis, you may find that trainers, or similar, well-cushioned shoes, are more comfortable and offer welcome support. But if the soles are too thick, you may not be able to feel contact with the floor so well, and this could make you feel a little unsteady. Ask your GP or chiropodist for advice.

Exercise Exercises to improve toe and ankle strength can significantly improve balance and reduce the risk of falls. The following programme was developed by La Trobe University. It is recommended three times a week, and should take around 30 minutes. Some equipment may be needed including; marbles, theraband (elastic resistance bands) and a heavy table or chair to attach the theraband to (you may need to have someone seated in this chair to ensure it does not move when you are carrying out the exercises). Therabands are inexpensive and widely available from high street and on-line retailers.

1. Ankle circling (warm-up) 1. Sit comfortably in a chair, both feet on the ground.

2. Lift one foot off the ground and hold it up in the air.

3. Slowly and gently rotate the ankle, circling the foot clockwise, making as large a circle as possible.

4. Repeat ten times then place the foot down to rest.

5. Lift the other foot up and make ten clockwise circles using this foot.

6. Now repeat the sequence for both feet in an anticlockwise direction.

Do one set of ten circles in each direction on each foot.

10 Join us on www.facebook.com/agescotland

inform 2. Toe-up 1. Sit comfortably in a chair with both feet flat on the ground.

2. Lift your toes on both feet off the ground as high as you can and hold for ten seconds.

3. Ensure that your heels remain in contact with the ground at all times.

Start with one set of three repetitions, holding for ten seconds each time. If you can do three repetitions without difficulty or muscle soreness the next day, increase by one to four repetitions of ten seconds. Keep increasing the number of repetitions until you reach ten. It does not matter if you do not reach ten repetitions.

3. Toe strengthening (Picking up marbles with toes) 1. Sit comfortably in a chair. Place 20 marbles on the floor and an empty container beside the marbles.

2. Use your toes to pick up a marble off the floor.

3. Release it into the container.

4. Keep picking up the marbles with your toes until all 20 marbles have been picked up and released into the container.

5. Tip the marbles out onto the floor again, and repeat the exercise with your other foot.

Repeat the exercise twice with each foot, each time picking up 20 marbles. If you have difficulty picking up all 20 marbles with your toes, just pick up as many as you are able to and gradually build up to 20 marbles over time.

4. Big toe stretch 1. Sit comfortably in a chair and loop the theraband around both your big toes.

2. Slide one foot away from the other until you feel a comfortable stretch in your big toes from the rubber band.

3. Keep both feet on the ground and hold the stretch in the big toes for 20 seconds.

4. Relax and return to the starting position.

5. Repeat three times.

5. Double heel raise exercise 1. Stand in front of a wall with hands on the wall for balance and your feet flat on the ground at a comfortable distance apart.

2. Slowly rise up onto your toes.

3. Rise up as high as you can, then slowly lower yourself back down onto the ground.

4. Repeat the exercise ten times.

Do three sets of ten repetitions. Have a 30 second rest between each set.

Progression Start with ten repetitions. Once you can complete all three sets of ten repetitions without any difficulty or soreness the next day, increase the number of repetitions to 12, and do three sets of 12 repetitions.

Keep increasing the number of repetitions by two until you reach 50, or as many as you are able to. It does not matter if you cannot go up to 50 repetitions.

The contents of this article were reproduced with the kind permission of Age UK.

More about exercising for strength and balance Walking charity Paths for All has launched a ‘Walk Your Way to Better Strength and Balance’ toolkit comprising a programme of simple exercises to accompany a daily walk. To find out more and to order visit www.pathsforall.org.uk/strength or call 01259 218888.

Call 118 202 Directory Enquiries and donate 9p for each 40p call 11

inform

When help is just a phone call away Information Development Manager Heather Smith looks back at the last 12 months for the Age Scotland Helpline.

The Age Scotland Helpline team has had a busy year.

We have advised almost 12,000 people about more than 22,000 problems, numbers broadly similar to last year. Over 11,000 contacted us by phone, and nearly 700 e-mailed us through the Age Scotland website.

People call us from all over Scotland; many are older people themselves, but others are friends, carers or professionals who want to support an older person to make sure they are getting all the help and support they are entitled to. For the first time we have been able to identify how many of our enquiries relate to UK or Scottish Law: about 68% of our enquiries relate to devolved issues.

We are very careful to provide accurate and comprehensive answers, and have Scottish Government accreditation for the quality of our service. We use the Citizens Advice Bureau ‘Advisernet’ information system to find answers for people who call us, so we know the information we have is always accurate and relevant for people in Scotland. We also have 27 Age Scotland factsheets, which focus on issues which affect older people in Scotland.

Where possible, we work with other organisations to ensure that older people get the specialist help and support they need: we can refer people directly to the Scottish Government’s Energy assistance package, the Money Advice Service, Tax Help for Older People, Care and Repair, and now, Shelter.

In November 2011 the Age Scotland Board agreed that the Helpline should develop from providing Information, to providing Information and Advice (I&A) which will involve more detailed and personalised help for callers. In spring 2012 we restructured the Helpline team to make sure we had the capacity to develop to provide advice; we now have an Advice Training and Support Officer, three I&A workers, an I&A Administrator and seven Helpline volunteers.

As we have had a lot to learn, we have had training for Helpline staff and volunteers almost every week since November; the Helpline team now provides advice about housing and benefits (including benefit checks and welfare reform), and by April 2014 will also provide advice about social care, health rights, money, retirement choices and lifestyle, consumer issues, employment and legal matters, and end of life planning; so we have a busy year ahead of us too.

People ask us about a wide range of issues. The main changes in enquiries since last year have been a 20% increase in Community Care enquiries, a 19% increase in enquiries about health and disability, and a 26% increase in housing enquiries.

The most common problems we’ve helped with this year

New Welfare Reforms have recently generated a lot of enquiries. Changes to Housing Benefit and Disability Living Allowance started to concern Helpline callers towards the end of the financial year in spring: we have many callers who are confused by the changes in State Retirement Pension age and how this affects entitlement to Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Payments.

3. Health and disability

1. Community Care 2. Benefits 4. Heating 5. Home maintenance 6. Legal 7. Housing 8. Financial

12 Donate to support our Helpline - Call 0845 833 0200

inform

A new partnership; the Age Scotland Helpline and Shelter Scotland Since 1968, Shelter Scotland has provided high quality information and advice services to the public about housing and homelessness and is widely regarded as Scotland’s housing expert. Its services include a Scotland-wide free telephone helpline, support for other agencies, Scotland’s only specialist housing law service and special projects. Shelter plays a key part in the development of housing legislation and best practice.

Shelter helps over 15,000 clients each year by phone, new technology and face to face. Problems they can help with include homelessness, rent or mortgage arrears and landlord disputes. Comprehensive housing information and advice is provided by its Helpline housing advisers, money/debt advisers and solicitors.

The Age Scotland Helpline and Shelter Scotland are working together to ensure that people who call the Age Scotland Helpline who have specialist housing problems, such as rent or mortgage arrears, have seamless access to expert information and advice from Shelter.

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: “At a time when increasing numbers of older people across Scotland are struggling with their household finances, heating and keeping their home, it is vital that advice and support is readily available. Our advisors offer year-round advice in areas such as debt management, the impact of welfare reform and budgeting.

“We have a commitment to widening our advice services to older people; by working with Age Scotland we believe we can assist with specialist information to support their aim to improve later life for everyone in Scotland.”

Anne’s story Anne had just celebrated her 80th birthday when the letter came through the post. A grandmother of three, Anne lived alone in the home she once shared with her husband before he passed away.

After her husband died Anne struggled to keep on top of her finances and mortgage arrears of £500 built up. She could not cope with answering the letters about the debt and eventually she was served with a notice to appear in court. Given only a month’s warning to repay the arrears by her mortgage lender, Anne faced the real prospect of homelessness.

Anne called the Age Scotland Helpline for help and was advised that she should be claiming Pension Credit to help with the mortgage interest; the Helpline referred her to a Shelter specialist money and debt advisor who helped her to work out what she could realistically afford to repay.

After negotiations with the lender, Shelter Scotland’s advisor was able to arrange an affordable payment plan for the arrears; which meant Anne could stay in her home.

Call the Age Scotland Helpline: 0845 125 9732 13

interview

A meeting with the Minster Alex Neil MSP is Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing in the Scottish Government, with a remit that includes older people. Doug Anthoney asked him about his role and the challenges ahead.

Alex Neil sees older people as central to his brief.

“We’re now spending over £5bn out of our £12bn annual health budget on older people aged over 65, and over the next 20 years the number of over 75s is projected to double. It’s important not just to ensure that people have longer lives, but that those lives are healthy lives.”

To achieve this he’s giving high priority to integrating health and social care services: “It should be one service. I would like to see the kind of partnerships we have in West Lothian, East Renfrewshire and Highland established across the country.”

So what difference will this make to older people?

“I was in Kilmarnock visiting at a Telecare pilot project; a great example of where integration is working very practically. I talked to a lady in Dalmellington 15 or 20 miles away who has been helped by her GP and social worker to stay at home over the last year and a half. Her social care is planned in conjunction with health staff, and every morning she talks via a ‘Telepod’ to someone in the

GP surgery. She measures her own blood pressure and it is recorded in a computer she works at home.

Among the 20 people in this pilot project hospital admissions have been reduced by 70%.”

Neil believes health needs are changing as the population ages. “When I was growing up in Ayrshire in the 50s and 60s the average lifespan was 70 or 72, and people suffered in their late sixties and early seventies from one condition.

Nowadays people are living much longer and tend to acquire a range of illnesses; they might have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as well as a heart condition, and blood pressure and orthopaedic issues. We’re looking at journeys through the health and social care system for people with such ‘co-morbidities.’ So, for example, if you have a fall you will be seen by the orthopaedic surgeon, but perhaps you should also be seen by the COPD, heart and geriatric consultants.

For Neil the Scottish Government’s Reshaping Care for Older People (RCOP) initiative, and associated ‘Change Fund,’ is critical. “At Edinburgh’s East End Centre I joined the team, which included social workers, district nursing services, GP services and acute services, as they looked at a typical - but fictional, for confidentiality reasons - case of a lady aged 87 who had recently shown signs of

14 www.agescotland.org.uk/policy for more on our parliamentary work

interview

dementia. The quality of provision they were putting in place just wouldn’t have happened two years ago - a direct result of the Change Fund.”

However, given the scale of the challenges, the Government can’t afford to stand still. “I would like to see improvements such as Telecare move ahead faster, and we’re looking at how to make this happen. But I have no doubt that we are on a path of major improvement in the provision of health and social care in Scotland.”

Funding is a big challenge. “The increase in budgets is very tight compared to the increase in demand for services. The UK Government’s cuts agenda is having a huge damaging effect on the quality of public services throughout the UK, which is why I don’t want money decisions taken in London. I am also very worried about the impact of the bedroom tax, which will impact the whole community, including older people.”

Neil believes that promoting social interaction among older people is extremely important.

“That’s why we’re so committed to keeping the concessionary fares scheme,” he says, “and why I’m keen to promote the kind of activities that Age Scotland promotes. Funding informal groups and support activities is important for preventing isolation, as older people suffer from depression far more often than dementia.

“The third sector has a huge role to play, often in delivering so called ‘soft services’ such as clubs and activity groups. Whether your function is education, housing, health, transport, sport, social care; every one of us should be encouraging older people to participate in these services, to give back to the community their expertise and experience, and to be a real part of the decision making process. Instead of just receiving services, they should be the driver of services.”

Neil believes the new Self Directed Support Act is a key mechanism for such empowerment. “I’m keen to see people making use of the Act, as it empowers older and disabled people to ensure the services they receive are based on what they want, and not on what the men and women in suits think they need.”

As a back-bencher Neil put forward proposals for a Commissioner for Older People. However, he now believes this is no longer needed. “Participation of older people is much greater than it was when I was going to introduce that Bill; we now have extended remits for the parliamentary commissioners dealing with complaints, we have a more proactive complaints procedure in NHS and for local authority social care.”

Neil would like a shift in the public debate, from viewing older people as a problem, to celebrating their contribution. “People of pension age bring experience and expertise, and many still have a lot of energy and a lot to contribute. They are making a huge contribution, for example, in voluntary services in and around health and social care.

And when you look at organisations such as Age Scotland, it is older people who are driving them, and that’s the way it should be.”

In responding to recent calls for older people to share more of the pain of the economic downturn, he says: “Presenting this as a generational struggle is extremely divisive and damaging and does not reflect the true situation. By any measure we still have a fifth of our pensioners on, or near, the poverty line, and the idea that we should redirect resources from them to help younger people is absurd. The people we should redirect resources from are the better off sections of society, to help the less welloff sections of society. Age shouldn’t come into it.”

An opportunity to have your say Age Scotland and the Scottish Government are looking at how best to canvass the views of people affected by initiatives such as Reshaping Care for Older People, potentially through a series of events across Scotland. Planning is at a very early stage, but if you would like to be kept informed and have the chance to have your say at upcoming events please register your interest; by calling 0131 244 5430 or by email to careforolderpeople@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.

Sign our petition at www.agescotland.org.uk/stillwaiting 15

Get Involved

The Age Scotland Awards Who will you nominate?

October 1st is the UN International Day of Older Persons, and the first day of Luminate; Scotland’s month long creative ageing festival. So when better to hold presentation of the Age Scotland Awards 2013? The Awards ceremony will be the centrepiece of Age Scotland’s Parliamentary Reception, hosted

by Jim Eadie MSP from 6pm to 8pm at the Scottish Parliament’s Garden Lobby.

Entries to last year’s Awards were in two categories: the Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning and Influencing, and the Patrick Brooks Award for Partnership Working. This year we’ve added three additional categories, and are delighted to have received sponsorship for all of our awards:

Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning & Influencing (McCarthy and Stone)

Patrick Brooks Award for Partnership Working

(Raeside and Chisholm)

Services for Older People Award (Specsavers at home)

Member Group of the Year Award (David Urquhart Travel)

Volunteer of the Year Award

(Scottish Older People’s Solicitors) The Awards and Parliamentary Reception are about celebrating ageing and the many individuals and organisations making a real difference to Scotland’s older people. Too often the media report on our ageing demographic as a ‘timebomb,’ failing to recognise the massive contribution older people have made, and continue to make, to society either through employment, running businesses, providing informal care to friends and/or relatives and volunteering in their local communities. By raising the profile of the preventative services – often small in scale - that

give older people that little bit of extra support they need to continue to live independently in their own homes, we also aim to counterbalance the narrow focus that is often adopted by the media on the small percentage of older people who require intensive health and social care support in their later years.

If you are an organisation or an individual who has shown excellence, dedication or innovation, and positively impacted on the lives of Scotland’s older people, we would welcome an application from you.

Or perhaps you know of such groups or people who deserve recognition, and might be encouraged to apply. The awards are open to public, private and third sectors.

Last year’s winners are a source of inspiration. The Jess Barrow Award was won by Woodlands Senior Club, which had successfully lobbied local Councillors to prevent closure of its base, the Woodland’s Centre.

The Club shared the Award with Mrs Jean Miller who set up Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Scotland, providing support to sufferers across the UK and beyond.

The Patrick Brooks Award went to North Coast Connection and Transport for Tongue, which established a partnership to maintain a transportation service to a lunch club following withdrawal of Council provision. They shared the award with Angus Care and Repair and the multiple partnerships it had set up to benefit older people; with the NHS, Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Trading Standards and Neighbourhood Watch.

To find out more and apply Visit www.agescotland.org.uk/awards Call 0845 833 9334 Email awards@agescotland.org.uk The closing date for entries is Friday 30th August 2013

16 Text AGES10 £5 to 70070 and donate £5 to Age Scotland

Get Involved

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Still Waiting campaign goes up a gear

In the last edition of Advantage we introduced ‘Still Waiting,’ our new campaign to tackle isolation among older people who can’t use mainstream public transport. A huge ‘thank you’ to Advantage readers who signed, and gathered signatures for, our petition calling for the National Concessionary Travel (NCT) scheme to be extended to community transport.

We now have over 4000 signatures – a great result so far – but are ambitious to exceed 10,000 by the end of September 2013; a total that will bring home to the politicians the strength of public support for the campaign. If we are successful, older people who pay for community transport journeys will benefit immediately as their journeys would become free of charge. In the longer term, community transport providers will be better able to expand and enhance their services to meet increasing demand, thanks to a new, more reliable, source of income.

In addition to gathering public support, we’ve been asking our parliamentarians to back the campaign.

At the time of going to print 27 MSPs had signed up; from SNP, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and the Conservatives, including messages of support from Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont and Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie. Until the end of September we’ll be visiting Age Scotland shops and community transport services with MSPs, introducing them to our members and encouraging them to give their support. We’ve posted a short video illustrating the growing political support on our website, and created an online ‘scrapbook’ of photos from MSP visits and associated media coverage.

nd enoch a SP at Bad M n o s ny p m a o h T p e Dav Com Transport y t i n u m m o C Strathspey

We now also have a new e-campaigner tool on our website, so not only can you sign our petition online but, by inputting your postcode, you can generate an email letter to each of your local MSPs which will be tailored depending on whether they already, or have yet to, support the campaign. You will also receive a copy so you have a record of your correspondence.

If you have already signed the Still Waiting petition, this is a great and easy-to-do next step, and if you haven’t, well, what are you waiting for!

Of course, we haven’t forgotten the value of good old pen and paper. If you call the Campaigns team on 0845 833 9313 we’ll be pleased to send you a petition pack by post, including sign-up sheets and a colourful bus-pass prop which you can encourage your MSP to sign. Sign-up sheets can also be downloaded from our website for printing out and distributing.

Get involved!

Visit the campaign website at www.agescotland.org.uk/stillwaiting Sign the petition, send an e-letter to your MSP and watch campaign videos.

Visit the campaign scrap book at http://agescotland.tumblr.com Call the Campaigns Team on 0845 833 9313 to request a postal petition pack.

Call 0845 833 0200 to access legal advice 17

Get Involved

Advantage readers’ survey We were delighted that more than 200 readers responded to the Advantage Survey 2013 included with the last edition, giving us invaluable feedback that we’ll be drawing on as we plan future issues.

We learned that overall Advantage is valued by the member groups and individual older people who receive it. As a source of information 21% consider it essential and 61% ‘often useful’. As a source of inspirational stories, more than half ‘value it a lot’ and 14% find it ‘invaluable.’ More than a quarter found it ‘invaluable’ as a source of information about Age Scotland, and almost half said it was ‘often useful.’ Two thirds found it ‘often useful’ or ‘essential’ as a source of ideas for older people’s groups. We were pleased that 92% responding said they would recommend Advantage.

We asked what kind of content you would like to see more, or less, of. The most popular response (25%) was that the balance was about right. Other popular topics mentioned were; money, more local content, health and readers’ contributions. We’ll aim to ensure that future editions respond to as many of your suggestions as possible.

We asked whether readers would like to receive Advantage as an online magazine. With an overwhelming 93% saying no, you can be reassured that the print version isn’t in any jeopardy! However, in instances where a respondent gave us an email address, we can now send them an update when the new edition is available online.

We also asked whether readers would be willing to pay a contribution toward the cost of Advantage. In response, 36% said yes, 29% said no, and 35% were unsure. If a contribution was requested, the most popular mechanism was as part of a membership

offer (49%), with an annual fee preferred by 34% and a suggested donation by 17%. We have no current plans to request a contribution toward the cost of Advantage; however these results will inform our on-going forward planning process as we look how, across the breadth of Age Scotland’s work, we can best meet the needs of older people in the short, medium and longer term.

Reporting back on our Winter Weather Watch Last winter we invited members of the public to tell us how well their Council was performing when it came to looking after vulnerable older people during severe winter weather. 40% of those who responded believed that there were older people in their neighbourhood who were not receiving the help they needed. Almost half (47%) told us that their Council had taken virtually no action to ensure pavements were clear of ice and snow. One respondent said: “I am a member of an elderly forum. We received no information at all from our Council on what help was available for the winter.” Another said: “I asked if they could supply a grit bin but nothing was done.”

However, as the response was low, despite a good level of media coverage, it hasn’t been possible to conclude there is a widespread problem. As such, we don’t plan to campaign on the issue unless it is identified consistently by older people as a priority; in members’ assembly events, in surveys, and/or through our Helpline. If you have a strong view on Councils’ winter weather preparedness, our policy team would welcome the opportunity to discuss it with you. Please call 0845 833 9313 or email prid@agescotland.org.uk.

18 Email sops@agescotland.org.uk to access legal advice

going local

news from the west Network updates In March the West Region held two Network meetings, one in Glasgow, one in Bellshill, on the twin themes of Reshaping Care for Older People – practical examples and Welfare Benefits Reform. Speakers at these events came from West Dunbartonshire Community Health and Care Partnership, Glasgow City Community Health Partnership, NHS Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire Council for the Voluntary Sector (WDCVS) and Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL).

Selina Ross from WDCVS spoke about a new telephone project for older people in West Dunbartonshire called West Dunbartonshire linkup. This service aims to give older residents access to the full range of local community services and support with a single phone call (the number is 0141 280 0129.)

Both Network Events were well supported - we had 66 members attending, representing 35 groups and organisations, across seven local authority areas.

One delegate said: “It was a good social gathering with a serious side and great information.”

West Development Officer Charlie Murphy is working with Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations, Scottish Seniors Alliance and Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector to deliver a series of ten road-shows across Glasgow for older people to give their views on the city’s new Joint Commissioning Strategy for Older People. Called ‘A Bite and a Blether’ these predominantly lunchtime events will be held early to mid-summer. Contact Charlie for more details.

Your local Age Scotland team Linda Anderson (Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire) 01355 279 929 Charlie Murphy (Glasgow, Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde) 0141 427 5145

Thornliebank Se niors’ Forum

Getting Connected in Thornliebank Lack of information is a frequent complaint made by older people in the community. “Who can fit my smoke alarms, free of cost?” “Where can I find out about a home alarm system?” Not everybody knows where to access what service and what is out there to help and support people to make the most of what is going on in their own community.

Thornliebank Seniors Forum, in conjunction with Age Scotland and East Renfrewshire Council, decided to do something about it! Their ’Get Connected’ open day took place on 24th April with a host of interesting stalls, workshops, taster sessions and tea, coffee and snacks to keep people going all day long.

Roberta Mullen, Chair of Thornliebank Seniors Forum, said: “Hopefully people of East Renfrewshire and the Thornliebank area in particular will see that being part of the Seniors Forum can pay many dividends, both in terms of getting our voices heard and of being kept informed of what is out there where services and social activities are concerned.”

Thornliebank Seniors Forum meets the first Monday of every month in Thorntree Hall, Main Street Thornliebank between 10am and 12pm.

Local contacts West Dunbartonshire linkup: Call 0141 280 0129 Thornliebank Seniors Forum: Call Linda Anderson on 01355 279 929

Visit www.facebook.com/AgeScotlandGlasgowCharityShops 19

going local

news from the south Cumbrae fun day to return Last year 150 older people joined us on the Isle of Cumbrae for a ‘Cum tae Cumbrae’ fun day. After being overwhelmed by requests from member groups, we’re planning a follow up event, on Saturday 22nd June.

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Grants and membership Membership in the South continues to grow, with 39 groups joining Age Scotland since April 2012. We now have 189 member groups across the three Ayrshire local authority areas, Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders. Development Officers Morag Halliday and Heather Baillie were pleased to be able to support the following member groups with successful applications for Age Scotland grant funding.

Ayrshire: 35 ladies from the Shortlees Ladies

Fellowship will be enjoying a Summer Trip to Carlisle followed by dinner. Stevenston Elderly Forum recently enjoyed a bus trip for their annual outing, with 20 members enjoying a trip to the theatre followed by high tea.

Dumfries and Galloway: The Riverside

Centre in Newton Stewart, with over 130 members, received a grant towards its Health and Wellbeing programme of activities for 2013-14.

Scottish Borders: New member groups Peebles

Tea Dance and Jedburgh Lunch Club are using their grant awards towards an outing and lunch.

All groups are contactable via local Development Your local Age Scotland team Officers Heather Baillie and Morag Halliday.

Suzy Gentle Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Orkney, Shetland 01309 Your 673455 local Age Scotland team Jo Cowan Morag Halliday (Dumfries & Galloway, Highland, Argyll & 01387 Bute, Eilean Siar Scottish Borders) 251036 01855 821 809 Heather Baillie (Ayrshire) 01563 528 441

20 For insurance call 0845 833 0758

In 2012 participants took part in sponsored walks (or a cycle around the island alongside Age Scotland staff), a treasure hunt and a raffle, and enjoyed hospitality from Age Concern Cumbrae who generously let us take over their building. Over £3,000 was raised, the monies being split between participating groups and Age Scotland.

If you are interested in attending contact Age Scotland Ayrshire Development Officer Heather Baillie.

Diary Dates 28 August: Age Scotland South Region Assembly Venue to be confirmed.

August and September: Afore Ye Go – A free seminar on planning for later life Hosted by Age Scotland in partnership with local groups.

Hawick: Town Hall: 21 August 01835 822 660 / info@eldervoice.org.uk Stranraer: Library: 3rd September Newton Stewart: Riverside Centre: 4th September 07920 540 765 / Fiona.Marshall@dumgal.gov.uk Langholm: Buccleuch Centre: 17th September Annan: venue tbc: 18th September 01461 204 741 / email elizabethforsyth@nhs.net Dumfries: DG One: 19th September Sanquhar: Ai’ the Arts: 20th September 01387 269 161 / info@thehubdg.org.uk.

South Region on Facebook Come and join us on our newly created Age Scotland South Region Face Book page; to discuss the latest issues, find news and events information, or just pop by for a chat. www.facebook.com/Age-Scotland-South-Region.

going local

News from the North North round up In April Jo joined the Badenoch and Strathspey Community Transport Company team to meet with Dave Thompson MSP, who gave his support for Age Scotland’s ‘Still Waiting’ campaign. Dave signed our petition to extend the National Concessionary Travel scheme to all forms of community transport, joining the many older people who have shown their support at recent North events.

Two Argyll and Bute groups received Age Scotland grants recently to purchase much needed equipment; Interloch Transport and Cragroy Tenants Association.

Alan MacRaild, Manager at Interloch Transport which received funding for a new computer, said: “This grant has come at just the right time. Our PC has served the organisation well over the past 6 years but it wasn’t going to last much longer. A big thank you from the Interloch Team goes out to Age Scotland, not just for this financial help, but also for its on-going campaign work on behalf of the Community Transport sector.”

Cragroy Tenants Association purchased a home cinema system to support their activity development. Cragroy Tenants were delighted to have their very own usherette, bearing pop-corn and ice-cream, when they held their inaugural film-night.

In March, a successful first Age Scotland Ross-shire Network was held at Ross County football stadium where 18 representatives from 8 groups met with the Age Scotland North Region team. They exchanged information and heard about the Scottish Premier League ‘Still Game’ initiative being taken forward by Ross County to tackle isolation among people age 55 and older. Our second Helensburgh and Lomond Network in April attracted a great turn out too.

Your local Age Scotland team Suzy Gentle (Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Orkney, Shetland) 01309 673455 Jo Cowan (Highland, Argyll & Bute, Eilean Siar) 01855 821 809

Alan, David

and Christine from Interloch Transp with Age Scotlan d’s Christine Anderson

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Further east we held a ‘Shedding Light on Services for Older Men’ conference in May. The Men’s Shed in Moray has now reached a ‘get on with it’ stage, with an open meeting in April attracting 35 people interested in being involved Aberdeenshire Council were recruiting for new home carers and doing sponsored walks in order to attract people and give out leaflets. The walks took place in Inverurie, Banff and Stonehaven with the latter walkers battling with rain and hail to get their message out. The organisers kindly offered any money that was raised to Age Scotland.

Another event, in Forres, attracted over 30 older people from member groups to a Sensory Awareness and Information day. This was held in the very comfortable Mosset Tavern in Forres and everyone had a chance to look at helpful gadgets for sight and hearing difficulties and enjoy a lovely lunch. The event was hosted in partnership with North East Sensory Services.

Local contacts Badenoch and Strathspey Community Transport: Call 01479 810004 Ext. 3 (Kirsty) Interloch Transport: Call 01369 840474 Moray Men’s Shed: call Suzy Gentle (see below) North East Sensory Services: 0845 271 2345 Ross County Still Game: Tel 01349 860862 (Gordon)

Sign our petition at www.agescotland.org.uk/stillwaiting 21

going local

news from the east

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New ways of spreading the news in the East An Age Scotland West Lothian Facebook page – www.facebook.com/agescotlandwestlothian was launched at the Bathgate shop on 3rd May. The page is being kept up to date by staff and volunteers at the Broxburn and Bathgate shops, and will also receive input from local Development Officer Laura Dunkel. It will be a way to spread local news relevant to older West Lothian residents, with links into the Council and police enabling important health and community safety notices to be quickly circulated.

A local area email bulletin for Edinburgh and the Lothians has also been set up. Laura says: “I was being asked by lots of groups if I could promote things like their local events, volunteering opportunities and services. The response has been really positive, and I’m never short of a story to feature. And if a group doesn’t have an email they get a hard copy, so they’re not missing out.” If you would like your group’s news featured in the Edinburgh and Lothians bulletin please contact Laura (see below).

Local contacts Age Concern Dundee: Call 01382 825624

Your local Age Scotland team Douglas Macnaughtan (Fife, Dundee, Angus) 01324 717 079 Carole Anderson (Perth & Kinross, Stirling, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire) 01577 864658 Laura Dunkel (Edinburgh, Lothians) 01506 853 951

shop win dow

Age Concern Dundee A special home-cooked meal event marking Age Concern Dundee’s 65th anniversary proved so popular with the service users that it has led to a new service providing good home-cooked meals on a regular basis at its Fiveways centre.

An Age Scotland grant will support the cost of a part-time cook who will provide 30 to 40 meals daily, with menus – breakfast, lunch and snacks - prepared in consultation with the service users. A ‘Cookery Corner’ is also being introduced, along with a ‘food for thought programme’ to promote healthy eating.

With the help of the local garden centre, a new garden with a greenhouse and raised beds has been established on some waste ground adjacent to the centre. It is planned that vegetables will be drawn in the garden to augment the in-house menu. Service users will be encouraged to attend the garden as their abilities permit.

“It has not been viable in the past to employ a cook at the Centre,” said Chairperson Patricia Bree.

“This splendid donation from Age Scotland will go a large way towards the final cost of providing this programme.” Development Officer Douglas Macnaughtan has been working closely with the group over the last few years. “This is a major step forward for the Centre,” he said. “They just needed that little extra support and encouragement, and I look forward to sampling some of the excellent homecooked fare on one of my regular trips to the city!”

Diary Dates

8 October: Age Scotland East Region Assembly Venue to be confirmed.

22 Visit www.facebook.com/AgeScotlandEdinburghCharityShops

inspire

Directing older people to local services Too often older people are unaware of local services and activities that are available, and could be of benefit, to them. Queensferry Churches’ Care in the Community (QCCC) decided to create a local directory to address the problem.

QCCC provides support services to older people and carers within the communities of rural northwest Edinburgh. It was awarded money from the Change Fund to support smaller local volunteer led groups. However, identifying these groups proved harder than anticipated. Volunteer Coordinator Lorna Russell says; “I asked myself, ‘If I’m finding it a struggle, what chance does an older person without internet access have of finding out what’s available?’” A plan to create a directory of local groups was formed.

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Lorna placed articles in local publications, produced posters and held open meetings to encourage groups to feature in the directory. “We were keen to allay any suspicions from small groups that QCCC, a larger organisation, wanted to take over.” However the response was very favourable, with many groups’ representatives happy to have their contact details, in some instances personal email addresses and phone numbers, included. “The community here is relatively small and compact, and people knew that the directory would just be for locals,” says Lorna.

Identifying local activities took far longer than anticipated. “The first draft was ready in October.

However, when this was circulated to contributing groups for feedback, it triggered a host of other groups that wanted to be included, delaying publication by six months!”

The directory is now available in the form of a quality book, costing £1500 to print 1000 copies.

Care has been taken to make it ‘user friendly,’ with

all information about each entry on one page, large font and pictures to accompany activities. Not only has feedback from older people’s groups been favourable, but health and social care professionals are finding it invaluable. “The local social workers are finding it really useful to have when they are integrating clients back into the community after hospital discharge,” says Lorna. “There might be a few weeks of rehabilitation, which their clients often enjoy because of the social interaction, but after this stops they need to know about local clubs and groups they can signpost to in order to prevent people becoming isolated and lonely.”

Lorna is well aware of the challenges of keeping the directory in circulation, and up to date. “We’ll be putting them in places such as libraries and GP surgeries, and the directory encourages people to return it to the nearest such venue if they no longer need it. We would like to update it on an annual or bi-annual basis, if our budget permits.”

Might a directory benefit your area?

Lorna is happy to talk about her experience to other groups.

Tel: 0131 331 5570 Email: Lorna.Russell@qccc.org.uk

Call 118 202 Directory Enquiries and donate 9p for each 40p call 23

inspire

An online lifeline If you find it difficult to get about, then the internet can be a great source of friendship and chat. Gransnet is excellent for older people who have even a smattering of computer or Ipad ability, says Eleanor Anderson, Gransnet Local Editor for Edinburgh.

If you are hesitant to learn how, here at last is a good reason for becoming computer and internet literate. There is usually someone online on Gransnet, chatting all day and a lot of the night.

Last year, after 49 years of marriage, I lost my dear husband. I don’t need to tell you what that was like, it is an experience shared with many people of our age. My family were wonderfully supportive, as were my friends and neighbours, and I began to rebuild a new life.

I shopped on my own with a wheeled trolley instead of a car (I don’t drive) and I used my bus pass to travel around on my own. I kept hospital appointments on my own and waited, on my own, for test results. I met friends for meals and coffee, cooked for my family when they could visit, ate with them when I could visit them. They work hard and have their own commitments and responsibilities, and are scattered about, but they keep in touch and include me in many things.

But when you live alone, the evenings are very long, and you can’t keep phoning the same busy people to keep you company. However, I had a lifeline. I had joined Gransnet while my husband was terminally ill, and had made some good online friends. When I could not sleep I could go online and check in, and there was usually someone sitting up late or awake early to chat to. After he died, there were many messages of love and support from others who had travelled the same road and knew how it felt.

Then four of us decided to meet in person and have lunch out in Edinburgh. That was such fun that we have met again several times, joined by a few more online friends. I can truthfully say that I have dozens of friends on Gransnet, some of whom I have met, some are just pen pals; all of them are excellent company.

What do we talk about online? Everything you would talk about over a cup of tea or across the garden fence. Well, yes, everyone likes to talk about their grandchildren, that is why it is called Gransnet, but we talk about far more than that. Conversations have included such topics as divergent as universal benefits, to how to un-stick a sticker!

The national Gransnet site has been going for about two years now, as a social networking website for older people, and has over 500,000 page views a month. Now local pages have been launched for about 20 areas, from Southwest England to Edinburgh. So far Edinburgh is the only Scottish site but others are planned, and other Scots are welcomed there.

Find out more http://www.gransnet.com/ http://local.gransnet.com/edinburgh Email edinburgh@gransnetlocal.com

24 Join us on www.facebook.com/agescotland

soap box

One minute a wife, the next, a widow.

Guest columnist Sally Curtis gives us a few suggestions on how to ‘deal with’ the new widow.

The death, sudden or otherwise, of a partner is a shock to put it mildly. In my case, although ‘OH’ had heart problems for many years, I didn’t expect that morning just over a year ago to wake up to the sound of him hitting the bathroom floor. By the time I got there he was dead, and from that moment life took on a completely different direction.

For the next few days I was on auto and became extraordinarily high, presumably the result of the shock. Wonderful friends held the fort until the family gradually arrived from far and wide, as did the messages of condolence, phone calls and flowers; so many that the house resembled a flower shop, all of which was very comforting. Neighbours, friends and family were supportive but gradually, as time passes, you have to go it alone.

So here are my suggestions on how to ‘deal with’ the new widow.

1. Talk to her. If she bursts into tears, that’s normal so don’t be embarrassed. Don’t be surprised if she laughs hysterically; it’s all part of the grieving process.

2. Flowers, messages of support, bottles of wine; there are more than welcome, but perhaps consider that it may be nice to send some of them a week or so after the funeral once the family have gone and the house is empty and quiet apart from the grieving widow.

3. When you suggest a lunch, coffee, or a dinner party please do go ahead and arrange it. There is nothing worse than an event being suggested which doesn’t materialise. Weekends can be particularly lonely.

Sally Curtis and her late husband

4. If you offer to cut down the creeper at the front of the house, or some other practical task, please do it. Although this widow can manage most things, it is lovely to have an offer of help and it can be bit of a let-down if she has to do it anyway.

5. Don’t imagine that she has ‘got over it’ after a few months have gone by. If you are passing the house, please ring the bell and call in for a chat.

Include her in visits to the pub or to the cinema, or just for a walk to the park and back.

6. Be patient, understanding and encouraging. It’s almost like reverting to childhood when you need to be told what to do.

The year has now passed and all the ‘firsts’ have been got through; birthdays, anniversary, Christmas, and I can no longer say “this time last year we were…” Grief is a strange visitor; we all have to face it at some point in our lives and will all cope in our own particular way, and have different expectations. The future looks bleak one day and optimistic the next, but life will certainly never ever be the same again.

Act against isolation at www.agescotland.org.uk/stillwaiting 25

Clubs

Tips for trips and outings Member groups in Western Isles have been organising four or five day mainland trips every year for more than a decade. And they’ve got lots of tips to share about what makes a successful trip, says Age Scotland Development Officer Jo Cowan.

To groups in Western Isles the ‘mainland trip’ means much more than just getting away for a few days.

It’s about identity; being with people from your own community, being proud of who you are, and where you come from. It also offers a safe opportunity for people who wouldn’t travel alone to come off the island, and gives them confidence. Thanks to all group organisers who shared their experiences.

“We become different people the minute we go away. We’re not the stodgy folk we are at home – we’re adventurers!”

Plan well ahead and do your homework Ask group members to pick up leaflets of interesting places that they, or their friends or family, have visited. They’re really useful when it comes to deciding on destinations.

It’s good to put out an itinerary with timings in advance so that people can plan to meet up with friends/family living near the destinations. Ask your Age Scotland Development Officer if they can make links with any older people’s groups nearby who could give advice, tell you about local events coinciding with your visit – or local services which can help e.g. with scooter or wheelchair loan.

If your group members need a bit of support, are there any younger volunteers or family members who could be persuaded to come along? It’s great to have someone who can buddy a club member if they need a bit of help now and again.

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Ask venues if they have separate areas which groups can use, especially if you want to have a bit of a laugh and a blether together. For many older group members, a seated meal rather than self-service is the only comfortable option, plus you can usually get a better deal if you have a set meal. If you are booking meals in advance, negotiate a flexible arrival time so that you don’t have to hurry people away from an activity they are enjoying. Factor in some extra time so that people have time to rest and aren’t constantly rushing from one thing to another. Check with your transport provider that there’s enough space on board for walking aids and wheelchairs.

Money Matters, Funding & Fundraising • Always ask for a discount if you are booking on behalf of a group.

• Join up with a neighbouring group to minimise cost • Try negotiating a late date for finalising numbers and payment in case health issues result in some members dropping out close to the trip date.

• Fundraising events which double as club activities are useful, but then the same people are giving all the time. Holding events for the wider community, or doing a bag pack at a store in the nearest big town, spreads the load a bit.

• It’s worth checking if any local sports or hobby clubs or local events such as dog shows raise funds for local charities or community groups, or would if you asked them to.

• Make sure that funders fully understand the importance of your outing – it’s not just ‘a jolly.’ Many

Clubs’ Corner

older people are no longer keen or able to make journeys on their own and it really contributes to their well-being to get some time away. Also, grant funding may be the key to making the trip affordable for all.

I was amazed at the imaginative range of fundraising the Western Isles groups have come up with, including a Community Big Breakfast, a vintage wedding dress event, a Harris Tweed fashion show and raffling some donated hand-made items.

Record the fun and enjoy it all over again

Many groups have an ‘at-home’ treat for those who can’t come along on the big trip. It gives people something to look forward, even if they can’t make the main trip. If people live in rural or remote areas, a chance to ‘go to the shops’ can be a real treat, but try to have an alternative for those who would rather visit somewhere instead!

It’s often the simple things that people enjoy most – just being able to stop for an ice cream or fish and chips – something they don’t do every day.

Stories, photos and videos of your day(s) out are great for showing funders how their grant has benefited your group. They can also be a great reminiscence activity afterwards. A newsy article with cheery photos in the local paper or community newsletter is also a great way of saying thanks to all who have contributed to fundraising, and interesting for family and friends alike. Ask permission from folk to take photos which can be used in magazines and on websites.

Is all that work worth it in the end?

Some groups produce a souvenir booklet for everyone who has been on the trip, or a booklet with information to read while they are on their way.

Despite all the hard work, group organisers enjoy it too. Flora from Comunn Chroig says: “I went on an outing in 2004 to support my mother, and enjoyed it so much I have helped in every year since. Every year I say ‘never again,’ but still do it. I am part of a very supportive committee who all muck in when needed.”

Can you please most of the people most of the time?

Organisers need to have a thick skin at times, taking on board negative comments about venues, meals, itineraries and the weather. But sometimes you have to speak your mind and let people know why certain choices needed to be made.

Maud, who is 93 and lives alone, joins the ABC (Active Bodach and Cailleach) Club from Breasclete each year on their trip. “I look forward to the trip all year. Going to different places and meeting new people is particularly enjoyable, but you also make closer bonds with the other club members when you are on the trip, bonds that stay afterwards and see you through difficult times.”

Chrissie from the ABC Group says: “Stay calm. Don’t panic at the last minute if things are going wrong.

Whether the ferry or bus breaks down, or someone falls ill, it all seems to work out in the end.”

Find member groups at www.agescotland.org.uk 27

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