Retirement Living Feeling the impact

The leading organisation supporting and championing the rights of older people, Age UK says it has already observed worrying trends during the current financial crisis. With energy bills skyhigh and inflation at record levels, many older people are eating less, unable to go out and engage in social activities, and taking on more caring responsibilities for loved ones, all while trying to manage in a cold home. For some it has even meant cutting back on medication and care.

Campaigners at Age UK believe no one should be putting their health and wellbeing at risk because they can’t afford the basics. Last year they lobbied the government to ensure older people received better support, and they will continue to do so.

Success story

More than 150,000 campaign actions were taken over 2022 to make the priorities of older people clear to MPs. This led to a huge amount of media coverage, meetings in Parliament and, most importantly, a positive outcome in the form of more money for older people via the Energy Bill Support Scheme. Age UK is now pushing to make this support an ongoing feature and keep older people’s voices in the media and in Westminster.

The charity has vowed to keep fighting and its efforts will be helped by a £200,000 donation from philanthropists Julia and Hans Rausing, of the Tetra Pak family. The Rausings were encouraged to donate after reading about Age UK’s national Advice Line, which supports older people finding the current crisis challenging and on many other issues.

Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602

HOME-CARE HEROES

SureCare Central Cheshire has won a prestigious Top 20 Award for its home-care provision in the North West two years running

SureCare provides person-centred care to complement the care already provided by family members, or to replace care when family are unavailable. Having professional care frees up time and enables family visits to be more relaxed and enjoyed together.

Having regular visits from a carer enables people to continue to live independently in their own home. Carers provide encouragement and allow people to do the things they can, and then assist where they need some support – to continue with their hobbies or play a part in the community.

SureCare knows how important it is to have the right people supporting you, and selects team members who are naturally caring, compassionate and want to provide outstanding care. It invests in its team, looking after them so that they can look after you.

Proud of its team

SureCare is incredibly proud of how its care workers go above and beyond to assist their clients. They complete a lot of training and learn about different conditions in order to fully assist people and recognise when they need to be referred to other professionals. By building relationships with clients, they can pick up on the signs when people are feeling low, unwell or in pain. They also know the conversations people enjoy, so they can look forward to their regular visit. www.surecare.co.uk/central-cheshire