Advantage autumn 2012

Advantage

Age Scotland’s quarterly magazine autumn 2012

issue 33

Luminate is here!

Scotland’s creative ageing festival October 2012

p10: Home from home on holiday p13: Fundraise for your group p26: Inter-generational inspiration

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 13 Clubs’ Corner p 14 Get Involved p 17 Going local p 21 Inspire p 25 Soap Box p 26 Interview

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 UK family, is an independent charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people in Scotland, within a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland. Reg No: 153343 Charity No: SC010100. Registered Office: Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR.

ISSN 1747-4515

An autumn of pure gold!

foreword

e ecutiv x E f e i h C Brian Sloan, Interim Hi Everyone, I am the new Interim Chief Executive of the Charity and I would like to welcome you to this latest edition of Advantage. If you would like to know more about my background, please visit www.agescotland.org.uk and enter ‘Brian Sloan’ into the search box.

I have been involved in Age Scotland for over a year now, and the passion, drive and commitment of all those with the organisation never fails to impress me.

We really are striving to make Scotland a better place for older people, and I will do everything I can to ensure we continue to deliver our vision. I have already been making every effort to get out and about to meet as many people as possible to help build up my knowledge of Age Scotland and the work it is doing.

I must take this opportunity to tell you about two exciting events the Charity is undertaking very soon.

Firstly, in partnership with Creative Scotland and the Baring Foundation, we are launching this October the Luminate Festival; a month long, Scotland-wide festival celebrating the creative arts and ageing.

Luminate offers an innovative and high quality programme of events across the arts and media, with a contemporary Scottish and international flavour.

If your Advantage has arrived by post you will have received a complementary Luminate programme.

It can also be ordered by calling 0131 668 8066 or emailing luminate@agescotland.org.uk, and you can download it at www.luminatescotland.org.

I am sure you will find something of interest happening near you. It would be great to see you supporting this Festival.

Secondly, our social enterprise business Age Scotland Enterprises, which provides products and services designed with the over 50s in mind, is opening a high street store in the centre of Glasgow at 37 Glassford Street on 1st October. If you are in the area then please do visit us for your free goodie bag and a chat with one of our qualified representatives. For more information, visit the Age Scotland website, where you can sign up for a monthly e-bulletin update.

Hopefully I will have the opportunity to meet many of our Advantage readers in the near future. At any time, however, I would be delighted to hear from you on any issue, and to receive any feedback that you may have – please get in touch with me through the Advantage team; their contact details are on the inside cover.

Bye for now, Brian Sloan

3

news

Meet the Enterprises team in Glasgow: Liam, Angela an d Colin (left t o right)

Royal Mail to offer discount stamps

Enterprises to open in Glasgow City Centre

From 6th November until Christmas Eve Royal Mail is offering people on low incomes the opportunity to purchase up to 36 stamps at a lower price.

Age Scotland Enterprises will be a high street presence in Glasgow from Monday 1st October. The team is moving from Sandyford Place to a new shopfront office at 37 Glassford Street, G1 1UG, just yards from the side door of Marks and Spencer’s Argyle Street store. Five minutes away by foot are the Argyle Street and Queen Street train stations.

Customers who claim pension credit or employment and support allowance (or incapacity benefit) can purchase up to 36 stamps in book format (either 6 or 12) at the pre tariff 2012 price; a saving of 14p per stamp. The offer is for one transaction only and is available at all Post Offices. To purchase the stamps, customers must take with them proof of eligibility in the form of a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions, such as the annual up-rating letter, or a Post Office Card Account statement as long as it states the eligible benefits.

Customers must also complete and hand in a voucher leaflet that is being mailed out to the nation between the 8th and the 18th October – look out for yours!

If you don’t receive a voucher by post you can request one by calling Royal Mail Customer Services on 08456 016 248 or visiting www.royalmail/stampoffer.com.

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The new central location will make Enterprises much easier to access through an excellent bus service. Buses 18, 21, 64, 66, 240, 255, 263, and 267 stop outside Marks and Spencer, and buses 40, 40A, 43, 61, 62, 64, 66, 204, 205, 240 and 255 stop opposite the new shop, which will be open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Colin Darcy, Age Scotland Insurance Manager, says: “Being able to talk to our customers face to face is one of the things that make us stand out in the insurance market, and we’re thrilled that people will now be able to find us easily in the centre of Scotland’s biggest city. So if you are in Glasgow, why not pop in for a ‘goody bag’ and to find out more about the products and services we offer, and how our profits are used to support Age Scotland’s work to make Scotland a better place for older people.”

Call Age Scotland Enterprises in Glasgow on 0141 204 0811

news

Age discrimination ban comes into force The ban on age discrimination in services in the Equality Act 2010 comes into force on 1st October 2012. With some exceptions, it will apply to any person or organisation that is providing (or refusing to provide) goods, facilities or services to another; carrying out (or refusing to carry out) a public function for another; and running an ‘association’ like a private members’ club.

Age-based concessions by businesses such as hairdressers and theatres will be exempt, as will age-related holidays, so long as their main purpose is to bring together people of a similar age. In sport, use of age limits and age bands which are necessary for fair competition, the safety of competitors, or to comply with rules set by national, international or sports governing bodies, will also be allowed.

The ban covers both ‘direct discrimination,’ for example where an older person is refused admission to a gym or night club because of their age, and ‘indirect discrimination,’ where a rule or practice applies to all but puts a particular group of people at a disadvantage. Age related harassment and victimisation of people who have made, or supported, an age discrimination complaint are also addressed. If customers want to challenge alleged age discrimination in court they will need to be able to show that they were actively seeking to use the service or buy the product.

Positive action, which treats people differently according to their age to prevent or compensate for disadvantage, meet particular needs, or address under-representation, will be allowed. For example, libraries offering ‘silver surfer’ sessions to older people can continue to do so.

It will remain lawful to treat people differently because of their age in certain circumstances, for example in the provision of age-related state benefits and free bus passes. It will also be legal to have a private club or association that caters for a particular age group, including older people’s groups, and charities for older people will be unaffected.

Providers of financial services, such as insurance companies and banks, will be able to continue to use a person’s age as a factor in assessing risk and charging for their products. They will also be able to continue to use age banding and age limits, and to specialise in products only for certain age groups.

However, in making any risk assessments based on age, the company must base its assessment on relevant information from a source on which it is reasonable to rely. Individuals will be able to challenge a financial service provider if they think a risk assessment is arbitrarily based on their age, rather than on relevant information from a reliable source.

Sign up for e-news at www.agescotland.org.uk

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calendar October 2012 Oct Luminate: Scotland’s Creative Ageing Festival Brand new Scotland-wide festival celebrating arts, creativity and ageing, and offering a variety of arts and creative events in local community venues, theatres, galleries, libraries and care homes.

Call 0131 668 8066 to request a programme or visit www.luminatefestival.org.

21 Oct Forth Rail Bridge Abseil South Queensferry Have fun, challenge yourself and raise funds in support of Age Scotland’s work making Scotland a better place for older people. For more information call the Fundraising Team on 0845 833 0200 or email fundraisingenquiries@agescotland.org.uk.

November 2012 2 Nov Scottish Older People’s Assembly Edinburgh International Conference Centre. 10.30am to 4pm. Free with lunch included.

The theme for this year’s Assembly is the older person’s experience of care, with a keynote speech from Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP. To register an interest in attending call 0131 469 3806 / 3764 or email acfaa@edinburgh.gov.uk.

9-10 Nov The Fifty Plus Show Glasgow SECC The largest annual exhibition for older people in Scotland. Age Scotland and Age Scotland Enterprises will be in Hall 5 at stands C7 and C8, so please pop in and see us! www.50plusshow.com/glasgow/glasgow.htm Tel. 01372 840969 14 Nov Age Scotland Annual General Meeting and Awards Ceremony City Chambers, Edinburgh The Charity will be presenting two awards this year. The Jess Barrow Award is given to an individual or group for campaigning that has highlighted a specific issue and affected change to the benefit of older people. The Patrick Brooks award acknowledges those individuals, groups or organisations which have demonstrated effective partnership working in the interests of older people.

To register an interest in attending call 0845 833 0200 or email Catriona.Campbell@agescotland.org.uk

December 2012 Advantage winter 2012/13 edition Please note that the winter edition will come out in December 2012, rather than in January 2013.

Age Scotland Christmas Holiday Closure Age Scotland’s main office on Causewayside, Edinburgh, will close at 5pm on Monday 24th December and re-open on Thursday 3rd January. Further details will be available in the December edition of Advantage

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Email your events to advantage@agescotland.org.uk

inform

Shining a light on financial advice A financial adviser can help you make the most of your money but you need to be confident you are getting advice that is right for you. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is trying to ensure this by making changes to the way you get financial advice.

Advice has never been free. If you have received financial advice you have probably been paying commission to your adviser. Commission is usually a percentage of your investment – typically between 1 and 8 per cent, or sometimes more on a lump sum. So for an investment of £10,000, your adviser could have received between £100 and £800 commission.

From 31 December 2012 this system will change significantly. Instead of you paying commission on new investments your adviser will have to clearly explain how much advice will cost and together you will agree how you will pay for it. This could be a set fee paid upfront or you may be able to agree with your adviser that they can take their fee from the sum you invest. This way you will know exactly what you are paying and that the advice you receive is not influenced by how much your adviser could earn from the investment.

Currently financial advisers can either advise you on all products that may be right for you or focus on certain areas, such as pensions. Under the new arrangements, financial advisers that provide ‘independent’ advice will consider all types of investment areas. They can also consider products from all firms across the market.

An adviser that has chosen to offer ‘restricted’ advice will only consider certain products, product providers or both. Your adviser will have to clearly explain what they can advise you on.

Some investments can be hard to understand. So the FSA is increasing the standards of qualification that advisers have to meet, to ensure their knowledge is up to date.

Before 31 December 2012, ask your adviser how much they are currently charging you for their advice and how much that same advice will cost in the future. Your adviser should be able to explain how these changes will affect you and your finances, and whether they intend to offer independent or restricted advice.

To find out more about the changes to the way you get financial advice call the FSA on 0845 606 1234 or go to www.fsa.gov.uk/advicechanges.

The Age Scotland Helpline says: You can read a really good article about the circumstances in which someone might need a financial adviser at the Money Advice Service website.

Visit: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/do-you-need-a-financial-adviser

Call the Age Scotland Helpline on 0845 125 9732

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inform Can I protect myself against dementia?

Dementia is not a disease in itself; rather it is a group of symptoms that may accompany conditions that affect the brain. The most common of these is Alzheimer’s disease.

Spotlight on

dementia Dementia is fast becoming one the biggest challenges facing Scottish society.

Approximately 84,000 people have dementia in Scotland, all but 3,000 of whom are aged 65 or older. This figure is expected to double within 25 years.

The majority of people with dementia, around 3 in every 5, live at home. However a recent poll by Ipsos MORI for Bupa Care Homes suggests that 29 per cent of people in Scotland do not know the best way to support someone with dementia.

The good news is that a wide range of help and support is available, both locally and nationally. In this feature you will find out more about the work of Alzheimer Scotland and the Dementia Services Centre at Stirling University. And on page 21 you can read about the inspirational Age Concern Eastwood Dementia Centre, just one of the many Age Scotland member groups that are making a huge difference to the lives of people with dementia, and their carers, across Scotland.

“

Research to date suggests a combination of factors affects your overall risk of developing dementia.

People who follow a healthy lifestyle that protects their heart and blood vessels, and who enjoy active and fulfilling lives, have been shown to have a lower risk. Dementia isn’t a normal part of ageing.

A healthy lifestyle will include eating a varied diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, eating less salty and fatty foods - particularly avoiding those high in saturated fat - drinking alcohol in moderation, stopping smoking, and taking regular exercise.

If you need a bit of help to enjoy an active life a great place to start is with Age Scotland’s member groups. From walking groups to lunch clubs, campaigning forums to befriending schemes, there is something to suit everyone. You can find over 100 on the interactive map that features on every page of the Charity’s website www.agescotland. org.uk. Alternatively get in touch with your local development officer (contacts on pages 17 to 20) to ask what is available near you.

If you are worried about your memory, it is very important to seek help from the GP as memory problems can also be caused by other treatable conditions like infections, depression, thyroid problems, reactions to medication, and delirium. If you are diagnosed with dementia, there are treatments, and support is available. Knowing about your condition can allow you to plan ahead and get your affairs in order, for example reviewing your will and assigning a power of attorney. You can also find out more about your particular form of dementia and what support and services are available to help you and your family.

Exercise is the only thing for which there is incontrovertible evidence that it makes a difference, so every time I am inclined to sit on the sofa my daugher will tell me to get moving: to go swimming, take the dog for a walk, go dancing! And she’ll keep me doing that if I ever do have dementia.

”

Professor June Andrews, Dementia Services Development Centre

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Sign up for e-news at www.agescotland.org.uk

inform Profile: Alzheimer Scotland Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland’s leading specialist dementia charity, working to improve the lives and opportunities of people with dementia and their partners, families and carers. It provides direct support services, including day care and home support, mainly through contracts with Local Authorities or, increasingly, through private purchase by individuals. It is also bringing dementia to the high street through the development of a growing number of Dementia Resource Centres that provide not only a base for delivering services but also a user-friendly space where people can drop in to ask for information and advice.

As well as care services, Alzheimer Scotland provides a national 24 hour freephone Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3000 offering information and support, and for those who simply want someone to talk to about living with dementia. There are 30 Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Advisors, based in most Local Authority areas, who provide confidential advice and support to people with dementia, their families and friends in the community.

The charity is investing in the future for people with dementia by funding the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre based at the University of Edinburgh, and is helping improve in-patient care in our acute hospitals by resourcing the appointment of a Dementia Nurse Consultant or Specialist in each NHS Board.

From 2013, people receiving a diagnosis of dementia will be offered a full year’s post-diagnostic support from a named, well-trained person, thanks to a guarantee secured from the Scottish Government by Alzheimer Scotland which has developed a tried and tested support model for this key stage in a person’s journey with dementia.

Dementia: making decisions – a new guide This practical guide from Alzheimer Scotland aims to help family members, partners and friends who have powers of attorney or guardianship, or who are thinking of taking on this responsibility, to make decisions on behalf of a person with dementia.

Download it at: www.alzscot.org/decisions or request a hard copy by calling 0808 808 3000 or emailing alzheimer@alzscot.org.

Better design for living with dementia The Dementia Services Development Centre at Stirling University develops understanding of the needs of people who have dementia and how to support them. Its flagship Iris Murdoch Building is a model for dementia-friendly design.

Professor June Andrews, the Centre’s Director, says: “While there is good practice research going back 20 years on the design features that are best for people with dementia, hospitals and care homes are not required to follow them.”

However research shows that simple changes to living space can significantly improve the quality of life for people with dementia. “Make sure there is a lot of natural light, as people with dementia find it harder to work things out and lack of light can make it more difficult. This is particularly important in the morning as it sets the body clock and helps prevent disruptive nights.” Ensuring the person with dementia has adequate food and drink is also hugely important. “Make sure that good things to eat and drink are very visible, for example with a glass fronted fridge.” Modern design features that are difficult to work out should be avoided. “Classic designs work best, for example a tap should look like a tap from their schooldays.”

You can visit the Centre’s

online virtual care home

at: http://dementia.stir.ac.uk/virtualhome

Join us on www.facebook.com/agescotland

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inform

Home from home on holiday House swapping is growing in popularity as a means to enjoying a unique holiday on a modest budget. Age Scotland volunteer Pat Craig shares her experiences.

As the taxi turned off Central Park West the driver muttered, “Nice, very nice.” My sentiments exactly!

This street of elegant brownstone houses, home to some eminent residents including the conductor Itzhak Perlman, was to be my home for the next two weeks.

All for free! My New York hosts were on their way to my semi-detached in Fife. We were house swapping.

If your idea of travel is to live like a native, try it.

Get out of the tourist areas, shop in neighbourhood stores, eat where the locals eat, join the library, ride the subway with the commuters, and get an inside view of the area from your fellow swappers who are doing the same in your house.

I guess not many tourists have seen a NYC rat trap – think three times bigger than ours. The local deli sells them. Only 6ft away from a rat is clearly not an urban myth!

As a tourist you’d never guess that the most common reason for visiting Accident and Emergency is a bagel knife wound, but you might if you’d been cooking for yourself and taken this lethal instrument from the cutlery drawer. I did. Neither would you know that Accident and Emergency patients do not scream, shout or abuse the staff as they do in many UK units.

The armed security guards are no doubt a deterrent!

In parts of Nova Scotia you’ll be lucky to find an emergency doctor. Its proximity to New England, where private medicine offers doctors lucrative livings creates a rural staffing crisis in Canada where medical treatment is free. Daily the radio announces which hospitals have out-of-hours emergency cover.

Just hope you don’t need it otherwise you may face a 50 mile journey.

Cross the River Clyde in Nova Scotia and consider that while it’s little more than a stream it was a link to the old country for early settlers. Watch a DVD of Anne of Green Gables in an identical picketfenced house. Pick your live lobster at the entrance to the supermarket and when you get to the till, it’ll be cooked and ready to eat, at considerably less than you’d pay here. Other shoppers, hearing your accent, will help you with your selection. Make friends who will keep in touch for years; you have, after all, shared each other’s homes.

You don’t have to swap abroad. John and Carol have been swapping their home in Kendal for 5 years for a variety of homes in Edinburgh during the Festival.

“It’s much more flexible as we can organise our days exactly as we want and, of course, it’s much cheaper than renting. We’ve also discovered more about the city than we’d ever have done if we’d stayed in hotels or B&Bs.” You may think it’s easier to attract fellow swappers if you live in a scenic location or a desirable city, but not so. Where you see dreich weather, they will marvel at the greenness of the grass or the accessibility of our transport services, the castles

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

inform

and the tartan. Many retired people who house swap often opt for longer-term breaks close to family who have emigrated.

So how do you get started? Type ‘home swap’ into any internet search engine and you’ll find agencies listing details and photographs of homes to swap, locations the swappers would like to visit, and the preferred duration - which can be from a weekend to several months. For around £30 a year the agency will add your details to their website. This is generally as far as their service goes.

The first thing to do, after of course you have decided where and when you want to go, is to contact the swappers directly by email to determine whether they have a mutual interest. Decide from the outset the number of visitors you are happy with, and whether you are prepared to include children.

Make sure you inform your insurance company of your arrangements. They’re unlikely to add anything to your premiums. If you’re swapping cars, get a cover note, paid by your swappers, and ask them

to do the same for you. Have your car serviced and arrange with your usual garage to do any essential repairs on account while you are away – up to an agreed limit just in case.

Differing housekeeping standards cause the biggest dissatisfaction; all you can do is make sure you have left your home in the best possible state, and hope your swappers have done the same.

Leave full instructions for all your appliances, not forgetting the answer phone. If possible, enlist a friend to welcome your swappers and show them the ropes. Leave useful and emergency numbers, a first aid kit, and a welcome pack for the first evening.

It doesn’t cost much, and it’s a nice gesture.

Has it been worth it? Absolutely! I’ve visited places beyond my budget that you don’t find in holiday brochures, felt like a native and made lasting friends. Best of all there’s a little girl living in NYC who was ‘made’ in Kirkcaldy.

Read more from Pat Craig at http://agescotland.wordpress.com 11

inform right to cancel - even if there is no written contract.

If you don’t get this notice, there’s no binding contract and you don’t have to go through with the sale.

You usually have a cooling-off period of seven days to cancel. This starts on the day you get the cancellation notice. If you cancel within the seven days you won’t owe anything and you should get back any money you have already paid, including a deposit.

Your doorstep, your decision Many people who sell things on the doorstep are legitimate traders, however some are prepared to use illegal pressure selling tactics and ignore customers’ legal rights.

Last year, research for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) showed that one in five people over the age of 70 lacked the confidence to deal with doorstep traders and a similar proportion would behave in ways which might make them vulnerable to rogue traders.

One area of concern is the doorstep selling of mobility aids. Following a study in 2011 the OFT took action against a number of mobility aids firms. Cavendish Elithorn of the OFT said: “Many customers were elderly or disabled and subjected to misleading and excessively long sales pitches.”

The OFT stress that if you feel pressured for any reason, it’s okay to say no and ask the trader to leave. However if you do make a purchase that you later regret, you have rights. These apply if you agree to spend as little as £35, and even if you invite a trader into your home.

By law the trader must give you a written cancellation notice at the time you buy, telling you about your

If you do decide to cancel the contract you must let the trader know in writing within seven days of receiving the cancellation notice. Keep a copy of your letter or email as proof and if you send your letter by post, get proof of postage as well. If you receive goods during the cooling-off period, and you didn’t agree to this in writing, you don’t have to pay anything if you cancel. Keep the goods safe and ask the trader to collect them. The trader should not insist that you pay any money.

If you have agreed in writing for work to start or goods to be delivered during the cooling-off period then you can still cancel within seven days, but you may have to pay the trader something, usually a reasonable amount.

Ten Top Tips 1. Don’t sign on the spot 2. Check the trader’s identity 3. Be wary of special offers / warnings about your home 4. Always shop around for the best price 5. Read the small print 6. Double check the facts 7. Talk to someone you trust for a second opinion 8. Don’t hand over a cash deposit 9. Think very carefully before you agree to a trader starting any work straight away 10. Trust your instincts For more information visit www.oft.gov.uk/doorstepselling

The Age Scotland Helpline says: If you are unsure about whether you might need mobility

aids, or which ones could be of use, we suggest that you get in touch with your local social work department. They can assess exactly what you need and may be able to supply you with the equipment you need for free, or at a reasonable price.

12 Call the Age Scotland Helpline on 0845 125 9732

Clubs’ Corner

Clubs’ Corner: How to get funds for your group Joyce Sperber, Age Scotland’s Fundraising Manager, offers some tips for applying to charitable trusts.

Local charitable trusts are a good source of funding for community groups. You can track them down on Local Authorities’ on-line databases or printed guides available in public libraries. Remember to check the trust’s guidelines to make sure they would fund your kind of project or activity.

Now you have your list of likely funders, a bit of preliminary work is worthwhile before you start your application. Phone up the trust in the first instance if there is a phone number; it establishes if they have any money left to distribute and lets them find out a little more about your project. Be sure you understand your needs and can demonstrate why you need the money. Be clear why you are the best group to do this piece of work, and should therefore be invested in.

Make sure you understand the funder. Which projects are popular right now? How much do they give? Do they have any money? How long will it take for a decision? Ensure your application matches the criteria set out by the funder - and comply with any reporting criteria they set.

Trusts like to fund: • New methods of tackling problems • Disadvantaged and minority groups that have trouble using ordinary services, or that have inadequate access to services • Responses to new, or newly discovered, needs and problems • One-off purchases or projects • Short and medium-term work that is likely to bring a long-term benefit and (or) to attract long-term funding from elsewhere

Make sure you fill out the application form accurately with full details of the project and correct costs, not forgetting to include the appropriate proportion of overheads, for example office rent and telephone charges. Follow the trust’s guidelines for the style and presentation of your proposal.

A good way to mention money is to say ‘we are seeking a grant up to....’ They will then understand that they aren’t obliged to grant the entire amount.

Refer to money in your summary, and also mention it at the end of the covering letter.

Before you send off the proposal make sure that you have met all the funder’s criteria, you are meeting their deadlines, and that you have included all the requested materials such as annual reports and accounts. Keep a copy of the application for reference if they call you, and ensure your listed contact person can speak authoritatively about the project and the application should it be necessary.

Finally, do keep the funder up-to-date with developments. And if everything works out well, ask them for funding again.

Useful websites On-line directory of funders in Scotland: www.fundingscotland.com People’s Postcode Trust: www.postcodetrust.org.uk People’s Health Trust: www.peopleshealthtrust.org.uk

Useful books Directory of Scottish Grant Making Trusts, SCVO: Information on around 500 Scottish-based grant making trusts. Amendments are posted on the SCVO website (www.scvo.org.uk) in the Publications section.

A Guide to Scottish Trusts 2006/7, Directory of Social Change: Details around 346 trusts in Scotland.

Fundraising for a Community Project:

by Simon Whaley. How To Books Ltd, 2007. £10.99.

Available on www.amazon.co.uk.

More for member groups at www.agescotland.org.uk/community 13

Get Involved

Batting it back to the Government on health and social care There was no summer recess for Age Scotland’s policy team. Callum Chomczuk explains how the Charity has been meeting the challenge of gathering older people’s views on health and social care reform.

Gillian

Pippa

Fundraising goes local Age Scotland has recruited two new Community Fundraisers, Pippa and Gillian, who are busy trying to expand our programme of community and events fundraising to boost the Charity’s income.

The money they raise will help to fund the vital projects in communities across Scotland; you can find out more about these in Going Local on pages 17 to 20 and in our profile of Age Concern Eastwood Dementia Centre on page 21.

Pippa and Gillian are recruiting community volunteers willing to give a few hours of their time to help across Scotland at various national events or with local activities. Or they can support you to organise an event on behalf of Age Scotland. Pippa says: “Fundraising for Age Scotland not only helps keep these vital services going; it will be a great experience for you too! You will meet new people and maybe even develop some new skills.”

Get involved!

If you are interested in becoming a fundraising volunteer for Age Scotland and would like more information please call us on 0845 833 0200 or email fundraisingenquiries@agescotland.org.uk.

Summer in the policy world means one thing: death by consultation. Governments and Parliamentary Committees often use the time just before the summer to release dozens of consultations looking for input from stakeholders (that’s jargon for anyone likely to be affected by a change) about any given policy, and this year has been no different.

Age Scotland responded to Joe Fitzpatrick MSP’s pavement parking consultation and to two inquiries from the Finance Committee; on the impact of ageing demographics and on the Scottish Budget.

However of all the issues we examined, the Government’s proposals on Health and Social Care Integration are likely to have the widest impact on the lives of older people.

The problems with the current system are wellrehearsed but nonetheless worth mentioning; we still have a significant number of older people unable to leave hospital because care packages are not ready, we have an unacceptably high number of care packages failing, which leads to older people being shifted into hospital. And more often than not Councils and hospitals pass the buck for responsibility of your care to each other.

The Government published its plans for integrating these services back in May, and there are grounds for optimism that this re-design will improve the outcomes for you, the service user.

As you might expect, Age Scotland wants to give this issue the fullest consideration, so I spent the last week in July meeting with around 70 people at events in Irvine, Dumfries, Galashiels and Glasgow to discuss their respective views on the proposals.

For me it proved to be an incredibly useful series of events. Not only did I get detailed feedback from each of the groups, but they raised a number of

14 Call 0845 833 0200 to share your fundraising idea

Get Involved issues that quite frankly the Government hadn’t even considered in its consultation. These included; the impact of low wages for workers on standards of care in the community, why the ‘third sector’ (jargon for charities, community groups and social enterprises) wasn’t identified as a voting partner in the proposals for Health and Care Partnerships (as they were in Change Fund Partnerships), why was there no discussion about the links with housing, and why was there no proposal about capping care home costs or the means-testing threshold for support. These issues are at the very heart of concerns about care services.

We drew on the views expressed at our events for Age Scotland’s response to the consultation, which you will find on our website at www.agescotland. org.uk/campaign. Of course, we will continue to keep Advantage readers up to date about how the Government’s reforms are progressing, and how they have responded to the concerns of older people.

Callum Chomczuk is Senior Policy and Parliamentary Officer for Age Scotland.

Get involved!

To be kept up to date about the progress of our Health and Social Care campaign, including opportunities to get involved, call 0845 521 2457 or email PRID@agescotland.org.uk.

Is Scotland ready for winter?

The winter of 2010 will long be remembered for arctic conditions. Should these recur, how ready will Scotland’s Councils be when it comes to making sure vulnerable older people are looked after? As part of its End Isolation campaign, Age Scotland has examined how prepared local authorities are for looking after vulnerable older people during severe winters. The picture, it turns out, is as variable as the Scottish weather.

Existence of winter weather plan Every Council in Scotland has a winter weather plan in place. However less than half take steps to ensure there is a bespoke older people’s isolation and support strategy. For example Stirling, Glasgow and Aberdeen Councils’ winter weather plans are universal, irrespective of age. And while Moray Council recognises the value of having a distinct vulnerable people strategy, it has no developed plan as yet.

Many Councils, including Argyll and Bute, Highland and Renfrewshire, use existing social services to identify ‘at risk’ older people and others, such as South Ayrshire, have plans in place that ensure sheltered housing complexes are gritted and that those in receipt of care services are prioritised.

Perhaps the best practice in this area has been adopted by Edinburgh City Council which has a winter weather strategy that identifies vulnerable older people that meet one or more of the following criteria: 80 or over, living alone, and (or) have a significant disability or medical condition.

Publicity When it comes to publicising winter weather provision the story is mixed. All Local Authorities have details about winter weather plans on their respective websites. However Aberdeen City and

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Clackmannanshire Councils stop there, while North Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway Councils do somewhat better by supplementing the information on their websites with a mail drop to residents and the use of press releases to get information out to the general public.

Authorities including South Ayrshire, Shetland and Stirling also hold annual road shows and campaigning events to get the message out to older people.

East Dunbartonshire, Angus, Western Isles and Fife Councils make use of social media, and briefings for all elected members and Community Councils, in addition to the campaigning and press work conducted by other Local Authorities.

With regards to self-referral, all Councils have a service that allows an individual or their family to refer someone who is at risk (albeit not necessarily for winter weather-related issues). Once referred, a number of different actions are taken depending on assessment process and budget available.

Working in partnership Most Councils do have some relationship with ‘third sector’ organisations, such as the WRVS and The Red Cross, to ensure older people are not isolated in their homes if there is any extreme winter weather.

Falkirk Council, for example, has a close working relationship with The Red Cross, International Rescue and Lothian 4x4 Response to support priority visits to vulnerable individuals. However some Councils, including Scottish Borders, North Lanarkshire and East Lothian, have no contact with third sector organisations about wider coordination and implementation of their winter weather strategy.

Salt and grit All Local Authorities give residents the opportunity to make a request for a grit box in their community, but there are differing approaches as to how they position these grit boxes.

Only Midlothian Council’s criterion for placing new grit bins specifies that they should be at or near care homes, sheltered housing and residential streets. Many, such as Argyll and Bute and

Glasgow, only place bins in significant centres of population while North Ayrshire specifically excludes bins from being located in private areas such as care homes. However North Ayrshire Council is unique in having this distinct exclusion for private areas and most Local Authorities will accept application for grit bins from residents who would like to have them located in their neighbourhood.

Learning from experience Not all Local Authorities evaluate the effectiveness of the winter weather plans. Scottish Borders Council has no evaluation process in place, whereas Aberdeen City Council only measures its effectiveness by meeting internal targets and dealing with complaints timeously. Others are more thorough, with Edinburgh City Council having online feedback, focus groups, Neighbourhood Partnership and other Community and Interest Group meetings. South Ayrshire Council Roads Service submits an annual return to the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Performance Networks to compare its performance against other participating Councils. While Orkney, East Lothian, Moray and Midlothian Councils review their strategies with partners in and outside the Council, and incorporate what they learn into the following year’s strategy.

Get involved!

Our research is based on what Councils have told us in response to a Freedom of Information request. But have we got it right? We would like to link up with local older people’s groups who are willing to keep an eye on their Council over the winter to see how well their plans work in practice.

If there’s room for improvement we can support groups to take campaign action in spring 2013.

We have also produced a Good Practice Guide for Local Authorities’ Winter Weather Plans, available by calling 0845 521 2457 or to download at: www.agescotland.org.uk/campaign. We would encourage individuals and groups to bring this to the attention of their Council and ask them what action they will take to ensure they are fully winter ready.

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going local news fro m the wes t

Danc ing V oices

Dancing Voices

Catriona with South Lanarkshire Depute Provost Pam Clearie a nd Age Scotland Chair James Wright

A very special dance performance, involving older people from across Scotland and London in a movement and singing extravaganza, showcased in the Fruitmarket as part of Glasgow’s Merchant City Festival this summer. ‘Dancing Voices,’ by Barrowland Ballet, Glasgow Life and East London Dance, was the culmination of a major project funded by Creative Scotland which aimed to celebrate existing older performers and encourage people to get involved in dance and performance for the first time in their lives.

There was no shortage of takers for the free dance workshops and tuition on offer and two groups in the West, The Village Autumn Group in North Lanarkshire and Shanti Bhavan in Glasgow, danced their way through a number of reworked classics including Sam Cooke’s ‘A Change is Gonna Come.’

Linda Anderson, Development Officer West, said: “With an extensive choir and almost 100 dancers it was a spectacular performance all round, proving once and for all you are never too old for a wee dance!”

Grants round-up Glasgow group North Connections Forum has been awarded a grant from Age Scotland towards a ‘Health Open Day’ event in September. Two other groups, Nan McKay Hall and Temple Elderly Community Care Services (part of Glasgow Older People’s Welfare Association), have received grants to help them be part of the Luminate Festival in October. At Temple, the grant will pay for an experienced drama worker to assist members put on a play around the theme of school reunions.

Manager Megan McLeod said: “Everyone at the Centre gets a real confidence boost from taking part.”

eives MBE rec n e d d a F c Nell M right ames W J m o r f d r her awa

Awards for active ageing in the West At the World Congress on Active Ageing (see page 22) Nell McFadden picked up two awards from Age Scotland. One was an individual award celebrating her work over many years in the cause of older people (including being long term chair of Inverclyde Elderly Forum, and the Older Person’s Champion in Inverclyde.) The award also marked Nell’s return to physical health following a major fall. The second award was on behalf of Inverclyde Globetrotters, which played a role in Nell’s recovery, issuing members of Nell’s Forum with pedometers and agreeing virtual walking targets with her group. Most recently the Forum’s members have left Greenock for Rome, and are already past Turin.

Catriona Mason collected an award on behalf of Forward@Fifty. This group develops opportunities and activities for people over the age of 50 in South Lanarkshire to help them to keep physically and mentally active and to participate as active citizens, including the highly successful annual Big Event.

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

Visit www.luminatescotland.org.uk 17

going local

ices ity Aid Serv om Mobil r f f f y a a t d s he t& oter for t Margare her sco d e t a n o who d

teers getting ready for the cycle Staff and volun

News from the South Cumbrae, come rain, come shine On 23rd June over 150 members from groups across the South Region came together to celebrate active ageing on the Isle of Cumbrae. The day, which originated in an idea from Ayrshire Network members to celebrate the World Congress on Active Ageing coming to Glasgow in August, saw members walk round sections of the island to raise funds for Age Scotland and for their own groups. Age Scotland staff also got in on the action and cycled around the island raising funds for the Charity. Thankfully the rain stayed off long enough for the cycle!

The day allowed members the opportunity to come together and enjoy a fun activity away from all their meetings. Age Concern Cumbrae opened up its hall to offer the visitors an all-day coffee morning. Local Development Officer South Heather Baillie said: “What a treat it was – there was enough homebaking to feed an army, and all donated by residents.

It was very much appreciated.” A raffle was held by the Isle of Cumbrae Elderly Forum and Age Concern Girvan organised a treasure hunt.

Mobility Aid Services Ayr was also present on the day and kindly donated the use of a scooter which allowed one member, Margaret Henderson from Dumfries, the opportunity to join in the fun and scoot around the island to raise £145 for Age Scotland.

A total of £3,000 was raised, which has been split between Age Scotland and the participating groups.

Betty and Je an with Ag e Scotland Ch air James Wright

Ayrshire Network receives award The Ayrshire Network received an Age Scotland award for successfully organising of the Cumbrae event. Network members Betty Weir and Jean Reader were presented with the award the World Congress on Active Ageing in August (see page 22).

Dates for your diary 30th OCT: Creative Arts Festival, Stranraer Would you like to showcase your artistic talents?

Then why not come along to the Northwest Castle, Stranraer, on 30th October and join Heather and Morag at the South Region’s Creative Arts day. The day will see groups from the South Region showcase their work along with demonstrations. If you are interested in attending the event, or showcasing the work that your group does, then please contact Heather and Morag for further details.

24th OCT: Forward planning for Later Life, Castle Douglas: This event will be run in partnership with Age Scotland Enterprises and Stewartry Council of Voluntary Services. To book a place contact Iain Howie on iain.howie@stewartrycvs.org.uk or 01557 331346.

Policy Panel - Have your say in Age Scotland’s Policies: November Date to be confirmed. Contact Morag or Heather for further details.

Your local Age Scotland team Morag Halliday (Dumfries & Galloway, Scottish Borders) 01387 251036 Heather Baillie (Ayrshire) 01563 528 441

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going local

New lobbying and advocacy project Deveron Care Concern in Banff has received funding from Age Scotland, in addition to a grant from The Big Lottery - Awards for All. The project aims to highlight local concern about the provision of care for older people, both in their own homes and in care homes. Its first step is to carry out a local survey to give a clearer idea of specific issues of concern.

The Th u rs

o Network

Gordon Forum for the Arts also received a grant for its ‘Value of Age’ mini arts festival in Aberdeenshire.

Tarbert Youth Group’s Age Scotland grant has boosted hopes of securing the future of their successful ‘Soup Group’ for the older people of the village. Highland Senior Citizens Network also received assistance for a membership review to support their on-going organisational development.

Cobhair Bharraigh celebrated its 10th birthday in fine Barra style with a Buffet Dance. The event also marked the organisation’s move to Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) status, and provided an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to its retiring Co-ordinator. Also in celebratory mood, Contact the Elderly brought its North groups together in Inverness for a happy Jubilee Afternoon Tea Party.

A successful Caithness members’ network meeting in Thurso coincided nicely with taking Age Scotland’s Information Stall to older people’s events in Thurso and Wick.

Peterhead Committee for the Aged and Infirm, a long standing member group, has now successfully moved to premises which will afford it greater visibility in its area of work. The group provides caravans for older people in their local area so that they can enjoy a break at reduced cost, an information service, and a ‘sitting’ service, which it hopes to develop further.

Regional Trustee Brenda Nicolson and Development Officer Jo Cowan enjoyed a visit to Ardersier and District Senior Citizens’ Social Club. Their wonderful hall, a former telephone exchange in Ardersier Village, was purchased by the group in 1984. Isabel Fraser, the group’s Secretary, said: “Our hall is such a welcoming wee place and it gives us a special venue for all our various activities – great for bringing local older people together, sharing information,

news from the north

News from the North

rs from ll holde a t s n o ti a Christine and Jo with inform Wick event in n o ti a m r fo n the Older, Wiser, Fitter i

ideas and a lot of fun! Thanks to our Age Scotland grant we now have lightweight tables, a new cooker and some new teapots – as well as support for the summer outings we enjoy so much.”

Grampian 50+ Network receives Award The Grampian 50+ network received an Age Scotland award at the World Congress on Active Ageing (see page 22). The award, Marjory and Charity collected by network member and Chair James Wright former Age Scotland Regional Trustee Marjory D’Arcy, was in recognition of its work enabling older people in the Grampian area to maintain active and stimulating lifestyles, mainly through walking groups and enjoying the out-of-doors.

Dates for your diary 2nd NOV: Scottish Older People’s Assembly Video-Link Event, Inverness.

For more information contact Suzy or Jo.

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

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News from the East A small group with a huge impact The Tryst Over-50s Walking Group is a small group with around 35 members. It joined Age Scotland in 2011 with a membership application form that described it as ‘a walking group to keep members active and also to explore and encourage interest in countryside and historical sites.’

ness with Age Scotland Chair James Wright Frank Bow

East Region Update Recently Doug McLellan left Age Scotland, and to fill his shoes we will soon be recruiting a new Development Officer for Edinburgh and the Lothians.

If you are in Doug’s old patch (Edinburgh, Lothians and Falkirk), please be assured that you can still contact the organisation via Helen Simpson (Resource Worker – East Region) and we will try and assist you with interim cover.

Originally we had hoped to hold two assemblies for the East region (Livingston and Dundee) however this will now not be possible due to staff changes and due to the recruitment process for a new Development Officer taking some time.

We have therefore cancelled the Livingston Assembly and decided to increase delegate numbers for the Dundee assembly. We hope that member groups in Edinburgh, Lothians and Falkirk will opt to attend the Dundee, assembly which is on Wednesday 10th October at West Park Conference Centre, Dundee (and to which they are more than welcome). More detailed paperwork on the Dundee Assembly has been sent out to all member groups in the East Region.

What the form didn’t mention is the whole host of benefits its members receive from ‘going for a walk.’

They have something to look forward to; meeting up with friends for a blether, to share a joke, for a change of scenery, and a bit of fresh air and exercise.

This year Age Scotland was pleased to receive an application for funding from Tryst, not thousands of pounds, just £350. But what would that buy? A couple of trips and public liability insurance is the simple answer. However, it also helps to make sure that all that other stuff that you can’t put a price on happens – the friendship, the enjoyment and all round good feeling.

Age Scotland wants to raise awareness of the work of small but vitally important groups like Tryst and on the 13th August the group received an Age Scotland, Active Ageing Award at the World Congress on Active Ageing in Glasgow. Group member Frank Bowness said: “Although we are called the Over 50s, we do in fact have an average age of just over 70 with three active walkers over 80. Mark Twain said ‘age is mind over matter, if you don’t mind it doesn’t matter’.

That is how we all feel.”

Your local Age Scotland team Douglas Macnaughtan (Fife, Dundee, Angus) 01324 717 079 Carole Anderson (Perth & Kinross, Stirling, Clackmannanshire) 01577 864 658 Helen Simpson (Resource Worker) 0845 521 2462

20 More for member groups at www.agescotland.org.uk/community

inspire

Markin a and

Jo e

The Centre

An oasis in Eastwood For people with dementia and their carers, accessing public services can be a trial; the journeys, the waiting areas, the endless scheduling of appointments with a multitude of professionals. Age Concern Eastwood Dementia Centre thinks it has the answer. Its Centre in Giffnock provides a core day-care service to 24 people with dementia every week-day and has become a hub for agencies in the area; with doctors, community psychiatric nurses, social workers and many other health and care professionals visiting regularly to ensure clients’ needs are met in full.

Markina Murray, the Centre’s Managing Director, says: “It’s about linking all the agencies with clients, carers and families.” For Markina, this has been a natural evolution of the Centre’s core day care service. “The confidence of someone who is diagnosed with dementia can take a real knock.

Coming to the Centre helps them to mix with their peers, benefit from cognitive stimulation, and enjoy having their personal care needs met, such as showering, nail and hair care.”

The Centre also provides a much valued respite service for carers. Joe Stubbs says: “When my wife was diagnosed, I was doing everything myself and felt very much on my own. I began to lose my own life and found it very stressful. Then I started taking Caroline to the Centre, and had time to shop, to do cleaning and to take part in my own life – even rediscovering golf! I could leave her here in complete confidence that she was being well looked after.”

The fact that Joe has gone on to Chair the Centre’s Management Board is no coincidence. “The majority of our voluntary directors are, or have been, carers,” says Markina. “This means that carers have always determine the pace and development of the centre, which has helped us to strike on a winning formula.”

The Centre has been publically lauded by East Renfrewshire Council, and has the lowest unit cost locally for building-based dementia services.

A consultation exercise last year saw clients and carers identifying the Centre as being an essential and high quality service for people with dementia and their carers in the community. Despite this, the Centre has not been immune to the current pinch in public finances. “Last year we had a massive cut in the funding we receive from the Council,” says Markina. “This put our Stress Clinic service for carers under threat. However as an Age Scotland member we were able to apply for grant funding and the £6,600 grant we received has been a massive help.”

The Stress Clinic offers carers an hour a week of alternative therapies, including reflexology, aromatherapy and massage. Joe, for one, is delighted that the threat to its future has abated.

“My daughter, who helps care for her mum, has made use of the Stress Clinic and raves about it,” he says. “We’re very grateful that we have this facility in East Renfrewshire – it’s very highly valued.”

Text AGES10 £5 to 70070 and donate £5 to Age Scotland 21

inspire

Pho

blic He - R: Pu L m ro tos f

alth

Michael M Minister

joins the active ageing wave; There was lots to try and athieson MSP do, from S cottish

The World Congress on Active Ageing round up

The 8th World Congress on Active Ageing saw a thousand delegates from 47 countries converge on Glasgow for the week beginning August 13th 2012. Held every 4 years, this showcase event brought together scientists and practitioners, experts and enthusiasts from a range of professional interests and disciplines involved in the promotion of Active Ageing, and for the first time actively encouraged the participation of older people.

In the London Olympic Year of 2012 the Congress highlighted the latest research evidence and best practice on physical activity and active ageing, but also shone a spotlight on the needs of an often excluded but growing population group world-wide, the oldest old. The aim is to take the legacy of the Olympics and WCAA2012 forward, in conjunction with the Scottish Government, Glasgow Life and all other partners, to the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and beyond.

e a massive e v a h l il w s logie nitiv New techno falls prevention, cog our in as role to play ial connectivity and, f ers o d soc function an ges, increasing numb a population will be using them.” le earch edical Res older peop lia rt Smith, M Dr Stua

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Here are some of the highlights of the week in quotes and pictures.

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mpion Murray, th ctivity Cha Dr Andrew Physical A

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Country D ancin

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on uchner, U d Preventi n a Dr David B l o tr n o eC for Diseas

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Visit www.luminatescotland.org 23

inspire lonely in the flat. She took me down to the garden round the back of the flat where the ‘boys’ rushed over to greet us.

Bill is retired and was hoping to get an allotment.

Callum is a gentle man who’s currently not working.

They showed me round the garden while Ivy used the markers they’d built to do a routine wander of the garden. There’s a wild flower patch, potatoes, cabbages, broccoli and fresh peas.

Bill says when he started there were weeds so tall that when he stood in the middle of them he couldn’t see her flat. It took him and Callum a few weeks and a big bonfire before they had ground they could work. This was just 10 months ago.

Ivy led us upstairs for tea when the rain came on and we talked about the difference the garden had made for them. Bill and Callum are clearly proud of their work and have found a good friend in Ivy. Ivy says her favourite bit of the garden is the seat, as she can sit outside and enjoy the sun.

Sowing the seeds of friendship Edinburgh Garden Partners is a charity that matches those who want to garden with those who can’t manage their garden.

Originally part of Care and Repair Edinburgh, the organisation is now entering a new phase allowing it make matches across the whole of the city. New Volunteer Development Worker Nim Kibbler explains.

There are currently around 50 partnerships in Edinburgh and on my third day in the job I went along to visit one. I met Ivy in her first floor flat, where she told me the ‘boys’ were outside in the garden and led me to a window. She opened it, smiled and cheerily told me that they were stringing the onions. She could tell by the smell on the breeze wafting in.

Ivy is in her 70’s, lives on her own and lost her sight around 20 years ago. She explained that being blind has made it harder to get around and she’d been

Ivy, Bill and Callum had submitted application forms in order to become involved in the current set up.

Workers then met up with them individually to talk about what they wanted to get from the partnership and what they were willing to give. Once we had an idea of who they were, we were able to find them a garden partner. In Ivy’s case this has resulted in two gardeners for her one garden. We’re also on hand if any problems arise, or if anyone needs gardening advice, and have a copy of the formal agreement all parties sign together at the start of the share.

To find out more about Edinburgh Garden Partners: contact Nim Kibbler on 07901 675184 or nim@edinburghgardenpartners.org.uk.

Or visit: www.edinburghgardenpartners.org.uk

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soap box

Is active ageing an elite pursuit?

Guest columnist Pat Craig calls for a more inclusive approach to active ageing Memories of baggy Aertex shirts and unflattering navy gym knickers bring me out in a cold sweat when I think of sport.

A whole generation of 50’s kids grew up seeing sport as an elitist activity that was not for them. There was no ‘gym culture’, no Lycra emblazoned with go faster stripes or trainers that require a bank loan to purchase. Anyone ‘training’ before going to work would have been considered a bit odd.

Fast forward to this Olympic year and we are bombarded about the importance of the legacy of the games, encouraged to try sport from every quarter and at all ages. Surely, this does not include those of us in our twilight years?

Indeed it does! The news is full of stories of 100-year-old marathon runners, octogenarian dancers and so on. But hang on, how do these exceptional sportsmen and women relate to us?

Is there really any chance that after a lifetime of avoiding exercise we will suddenly go to the other extreme? Does the excellence of the few not simply turn us off because we feel we can never match up?

Exercise is good for you and has been shown to improve mood and quality of life, not least by reducing the sense of isolation many older people feel. But I don’t see doctors handing out gym subscriptions, or pedometers rather than a prescription for antidepressants.

There is a whole industry of experts trying to promote the benefits of physical activity for older people, but where do I as an individual access the activities being offered? In a booklet of 55 pages of information about active ageing I found no telephone numbers to get further details

of schemes. For the older person who does not live in a care home, or have a social worker or physiotherapist, how do they start?

Gyms are expensive and even an untrendy pair of trainers will set you back a bit. Sure, walking is a great compromise but what if you have mobility problems or special medical needs? Why are so many activities offered only during the week when people living alone feel much more isolated at weekends? Then there is the matter of what constitutes an older person. Fifty is far too young when the age of retirement is rising. Until we address these issues, it will be an uphill battle to achieve active ageing.

If you have an idea for a Soap Box column, call Doug Anthoney on 0845 833 9313, email advantage@agescotland.org.uk or write to Doug at the Age Scotland office address on the back page. The views of Soap Box columnists do not necessarily reflect Age Scotland’s views or policies.

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interview

Ross & Michael ready for action at Argyll Voluntary Ac

rthur e McA n i t s i r Ch

Walking in young and old shoes Age Scotland’s ‘Walk in our Shoes, Act on our Issues’ pack has inspired older people’s groups across the country to tackle the physical barriers that make it difficult for older-people to get out and about locally.

However when Christine McArthur of NHS Highland discovered it, she put it to use in support of an innovative intergenerational project in Argyll and Bute.

Interview by Doug Anthoney Christine McArthur coordinates work on prevention management of falls for NHS Highland, and leads on prevention of falls for Reshaping Care for Older People in Argyll and Bute. While working on her PhD she became aware of importance of strong communities in tackling the problem of falls. “I asked myself, ‘how can I make use of this knowledge as a health professional?’”

tion in Hel ensburgh

Her research followed a ‘co-production’ model, which is about delivering public service with rather than for people. So members of her community team suggested involving Islay High School students through the school’s citizenship programme. “The students looked at how things like broken pavements could cause falls and injury.” They made presentations about factors implicated in falls incidence, including eyesight and footwear, to a conference of health and social care professionals, and to the Council’s Area Committee. “The students involvement really helped to get the message through,” says Christine. “They also went home and talked to their family and friends about it, which helped to develop wider awareness in the community.”

Younger and older members of the community on Islay then worked together to identify and raise awareness of falls hazards. “The older people learned from the students’ presentation and ICT skills” says Christine. “The similarities between generations, such as a shared sense of humour, became apparent and mutual appreciation grew.”

A case study of the Islay work was included in new Government guidelines on intergenerational

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interview

Maps fro m groups in Lochgil phead and Oban

practice, and Christine was considering how to replicate the benefits across Argyll and Bute when Argyll Voluntary Action brought the ‘Walk in our Shoes, Act on our Issues’ pack to her attention. “I could see that it would be a valuable tool, and we were able to build our approach on its use. The messages are very positive, and it takes an older person’s perspective.”

This work also represented a successful crosssectoral partnership between the NHS, Reshaping Care for Older People, and Argyll Voluntary Action, supported by the Change Fund. “Health professionals often find that their role is quite tightly defined by targets,” says Christine, “whereas ‘Third Sector’ partners such as Argyll Voluntary Action have more freedom to innovate.”

‘Walk in our shoes’ activities have now taken place across Argyll and Bute. In these, older and younger people have worked together to create maps that show not only trips and slips hazards, but also neighbourhood issues such as inadequate bus provision and lack of benches where older people can take a rest. The activities have been co-ordinated by Gwen Harrison of Argyll Voluntary Action in Dunoon and supported by her colleagues in Lochgilphead, Oban and Campbeltown and in partnership with Argyll and Bute Community Development Officer, Morevain Martin, in Helensburgh.

The project continues, with planned next steps including approaches to local businesses to ask if they can make changes that will benefit their older customers, and action to improve access to ferries. It is anticipated that the information gained can inform local planning, for example Health and Well-being Partnerships. Christine sees real potential for this work to be replicated by other NHS areas. “The Age Scotland resource makes it easy to pick up and do it,” she says.

“We’ve seen young people involved in the project becoming more aware of older people’s needs and rights,” says Christine. “Where before some might have taken part in anti-social games or vandalised bus shelters, they now think twice. They are more likely to hold doors open for older people at the supermarket.”

For more information about Walk in our Shoes, Act on our Issues and Age Scotland’s End Isolation Campaign visit www.agescotland.org.uk/campaigns or call 0845 833 9313.

Join our campaigns at www.agescotland.org.uk/campaign 27

WILLS • POWERS OF ATTORNEY • LIVING WILLS • GUARDIANSHIPS AFTER A DEATH • TRUSTS • EQUITY RELEASE • LEGAL AID

looking after generations We specialise in Legal Aid for the elderly and vulnerable.

At Solicitors for Older People in Scotland we specialise in Legal Aid We aim to reduce the stress and costs of visiting for the elderly and vulnerable. We aim to reduce the stress and costs a lawyer as we assess every single client for Legal Aid, of visiting a lawyer as we assess every single client for Legal Aid, many pensioners findthey they qualify. many pensioners are are surprised surprised totofind qualify.

CALL 0800 152 037 2037 0526 CALL 0800

www.solicitorsforolderpeoplescotland.co.uk www.caesar-howie.co.uk