Senior Life campaign June 2017 by Mediaplanet UK&IE

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JUNE 2017 SENIORLIFENEWS.CO.UK READ Legacy giving is easier than you think P6

READ TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tony Robinson gives tips for positive mental health P14

Senior Life Lesley Joseph: Strictly Come Dancing winner and Birds of a Feather star, on enjoying later life.

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IN THIS ISSUE

Maximising wellbeing through social interaction with Marcus Green

Arthur Martin heartwarming volunteering story with RVS

Sir Ranulph Fiennes Age is no barrier to setting personal challenges

P15

ONLINE

The secrets to keeping fit and well in later life

Being open to new challenges and keeping engaged with those around us is vital if we are to sustain our wellbeing in later life, says Caroline Abrahams, Director of Age UK.

s summer approaches we can all look forward to spending more time in the great outdoors. Whether it’s gardening or walking the dog, it’s undoubtedly easier to keep active when the sun is shining. Keeping active is not only important for our physical health, there is evidence that it’s beneficial for our brain health, too. For example, recent research showed it had a significant effect on memory and the brain’s ability to plan and organise. We know the desire to stay fit in mind and body are major concerns for older people, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to start spending every day at the gym. We can all increase our activity levels, whatever our age or current health status. Luckily there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes

without acquiring some skill or passion that they could share with others. If you like football, you can help a local youth team. If you like cooking, why not volunteer in the kitchen at a local care home or social club? Volunteering helps us to connect with others; and many older volunteers tell us that it gives them a renewed sense of purpose after they have done with the world of work.

to exercise and physical activity; but, where possible, it’s important to challenge yourself a little bit more over time if you can.

Measuring wellbeing Our Wellbeing in Later Life Index, the first study of its kind to measure the wellbeing of the UK’s older population, tells us that, alongside physical activity, there are a number of factors which have an especially big influence in improving people’s wellbeing in later life. These include having an open personality and being willing to try out new things; having a good memory and thinking skills; a good social network and lots of warm relationships around you. The good news from our Index (more details on page four) is that age need not be a barrier to wellbeing. No one reaches older age facebook.com/MediaplanetUK

Caroline Abrahams Director, Age UK

“Everyone has the right to enjoy a rich and fulfilling later life, regardless of their personal circumstances.” @MediaplanetUK

Ingredients to ageing well Being positive and open, willing to try out new things, and engaged with what’s going on around us turns out to be incredibly important in sustaining our wellbeing as we get older. There are things we can do to make life better for individual older people, for our older population as a whole and indeed for ourselves as we age, like learning to play a musical instru-

ment, singing or dancing. All kinds of artistic and cultural participation seem to do a lot to help. To some extent we can all act on messages like these, but we also need to be realistic and recognise that it is a lot easier to be positive, outgoing and actively engaged if you are in good mental and physical health, financially secure, and well-supported by family and friends. At Age UK, we are taking the findings from our Wellbeing Index to help develop potential solutions for the millions of older people who are not so lucky. Life can be pretty miserable and restricted if you are an older person in this position, so we are determined to do everything we can to help. That’s because we believe that everyone has the right to enjoy a rich and fulfilling later life, regardless of their personal circumstances. Please recycle

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Project Manager: Matt Redley Email: matt.redley@mediaplanet.com Content and Production Manager: Kate Jarvis Digital Manager: Chris Schwartz Content and Social Editor: Jenny Hyndman Business Development Manager: Jake Crute Designer: Juraj Príkopa Managing Director: Alex Williams Mediaplanet contact information: Phone: +44 (0) 203 642 0737 E-mail: info.uk@mediaplanet.com

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M ENT FU

Have you made your Will? Your lasting legacy for future generations Making a Will helps ensure that your wishes are met and your loved ones are looked after. Giving a child the right support early on could save their life. If you act today, you can change the future of mental health forever. Formed in 1949, the Mental Health Foundation is the Uk’s charity for everyone’s mental health. With two-thirds of people experiencing a mental health problem in their lifetime, your legacy will help create a brighter future for thousands of people.

“…because of the help I received from psychiatrists and mental health services. I wanted to ensure that this support is available for future generations through the campaigning and research undertaken by the Mental Health Foundation” Jennifer a supporter who has left a gift in her Will

To request your FREE guide to leaving a gift in your Will, please call 020 7803 1121 or email legacy@mhf.org.uk

mentalhealth.org.uk Registered Charity No. England 801130 Scotland SCO39714

A gift in your Will helps provide the guide dogs of the future Find out more about the incredible impact of gifts in Wills with our free DVD and brochure. Call us on 0800 953 0113, or visit guidedogs.org.uk/tel A charity registered in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979) A17G19001

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Lesley Joseph Actress and Broadcaster

Later life? It should be Strictly for enjoyment We can all help older people who feel isolated from society, says Lesley Joseph, ambassador for Age UK’s ‘No one should have no one’ campaign and the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness.

How should society be tackling the issue of loneliness in older people? In this digital age, we need to be aware that some older people can’t keep up with things like computers and social media. They just like to talk and chat, maybe over a cup of tea, or a visit to the shops. So if you know of an older person who either lives or their own, or a couple who are not as mobile as they used to be, then drop in, pick up their shopping or take them to the shops, engage them in conversation, or see if they would like a lift to see their family, or to an event. Or maybe help them Skype a family member. We all need to think of ourselves as a community, and communities look out for each other. Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference.

What are the most important ingredients for enjoying later life? Later life should be about fulfilling all those dreams you had when you were younger but never had time to do. It’s about spending precious time with your family and friends and saying ‘no’ to things you don’t want to do. It’s about relaxing and keeping fit and walking and exploring — and just enjoying life.

What activities do you enjoy in the summer months? I love walking. I also love sailing. Plus, I have a passion for stately homes, so wherever I am I try to visit them and immerse myself in the history of the house. My mother played tennis into her nineties and also loved line dancing and I would encourage any older person — as a way to keep and make friends — to enrol in a class and go along once a week to join in with others and dance away. Then have tea and cake!

What was it like dancing on Strictly Come Dancing? Strictly was an amazing experience: sometimes daunting, nerve-racking and very hard work, but I would not have missed it for the world. We had a wonderful group of people, all great fun but also with a very high standard of dancing ability... so you had to work hard to keep up! Anton and I laughed a lot and I miss the daily training sessions we had.

Do you have any health or beauty secrets? I try to watch what I eat and not get too overweight; walking a lot helps keep me fit and I do yoga regularly. I also try to look after my face by always cleansing at night and putting on night cream. But I think the key to growing older is exercise. Keep mobile!

What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given? My mother, who died last year aged 103, said you should only ever worry about things you can change and not worry about things you can do nothing about. Read more on seniorlifenews.co.uk

Why age doesn’t have to be a barrier to living well What are the main factors that improve wellbeing among older people in our society? A recent report from Age UK showed that social interaction and physical activity are top of the list. By Tony Greenway

arlier this year, the charity Age UK published its Index of Wellbeing in Later Life — data that measures the wellbeing of the country’s older population. The findings from 15,000 people aged 60 and over were surprising, and showed that age isn’t necessarily a barrier to living well. The report’s lead author, Dr Marcus Green, admits that ‘wellbeing’ is a difficult term to define. “People have all sorts of different ideas about what it means,” he says. “It could be ‘happiness’ or ‘a sense of purpose’; but it’s also connected to health and finances. ‘Wellbeing’ is a very busy space.” The Index shows that while good health and sound finances do improve wellbeing among older people — along with a number of other factors including personality, level of education, work, civic participation, marriage and emotional stability — they aren’t top of the list. The leading determinant to wellbeing among those surveyed was, in fact, their participation in creative and cultural activities.

Social networks This didn’t come as a surprise to Green. “It’s not simply creative and cultural activities that older people enjoy — although these can be fulfilling in themselves,” he says. “We think the main reason for their importance is that older people can take part in them with friends. That’s not new because we know that social networks in later life are crucial.” Physical activity is second on the list of wellbeing indicators. Again, Green believes this is because there

Marcus Green Social and Economic Research Manager at Age UK

is a social element to exercise that is attractive to anyone of any age. “We measured a whole raft of physical activities among the older generation: cycling, golf, even water sports and those aged 75-plus who play seven-aside football. Although some exercises were solo pursuits, we found that many of them gave people a chance to keep fit with established friends and/ or make new friends.”

Maximise wellbeing And while older people’s wellbeing is certainly affected by a diagnosed health condition (or conditions), the Index shows that it’s possible to maximise wellbeing despite dealing with health concerns. “Some conditions are very debilitating, in which case the opportunity to do things that are good for your wellbeing are either decreased or non-existent,” says Green. “But across the sample we found that some people are getting by or managing their conditions with or without the support of a healthcare professional or their family.”

Nevertheless, says Green, there is a connection between a person’s physical health and their mental health. “There are interconnections between all of the indicators on our list,” he says. “For example, if an individual’s health was to decline, it would have an effect on their ability to take part in physical activity. And physical activity is better for your physiological and mental health, which as we know, is a contributing factor to wellbeing.”

Government responsibility The report also compares the attributes of the top 20% of the wellbeing distribution with those in the bottom 20%. Those in the top 20% scored higher on thinking skills, had more qualifications, were outgoing, had a good network of friends, were physically active, didn’t have a long standing health condition or financial worries and were generally satisfied with their local public services. There are some aspects of the research that the report’s authors found worrying, however. For instance, older people in the bottom 20% weren’t involved in cultural or social activities and didn’t have a good social network. “The Index makes clear that there is a large group of older people in this country who are experiencing low wellbeing,” says Green. “Of those in the bottom fifth of the wellbeing distribution, 12.5% say they have no friends and 85% say they are not involved in social activity. Cuts to public services and issues with lack of community-based care are a big part of the problem. So there is a responsibility on government here, because it’s plain that there is a lot more that can and must be done to increase the wellbeing of older people in our society.”

Inform, enlighten and inspire

Are you inspired by art and design?

The British Museum cares for over 8 million objects which are studied and enjoyed by visitors and scholars from all over the world. You can help protect and conserve the nation’s collection for future generations by leaving a donation to the British Museum in your will.

For more information: +44 (0)20 7323 8421 legacymanager@ britishmuseum.org

Give a young person the chance. Give a gift in your will.

Email legacy@vam.ac.uk or call 0207 942 2898 to find out more. Hat made of shocking pink goose feathers by Philip Treacy, 1995. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

For 40 years, we’ve been helping vulnerable young people into their lives around. Giving a gift in your will gives young people the chance of a better future. So, once you’ve taken care of those closest to you, please remember The Prince’s Trust and change

Find information and advice about legacy giving as well as top tips about living life to the full, no matter your age.

Get in touch for the next edition. +44 (0) 203 642 0737 info@mediaplanet.com @mediaplanetUK

someone’s life for good.

or email giftinwill@princes-trust.org.uk princes-trust.org.uk

WE TURN INTEREST INTO ACTION

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

SUCCEED

A gift in your Will can protect its collections of architecture, furniture, textiles, fashion, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery, glass, painting, photography, theatre and performance for future generations.

Read more insight from leading experts in the field of diabetes online

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[ I WILL

The Victoria and Albert Museum has been inspiring people in the history of art and design for over 160 years.

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2 out of 3

dogs trained by Guide Dogs are made possible by gifts in Wills

6 out of 10 new lifeboats launched by RNLI are made possible by gifts in Wills

74%

of the UK population support a charity during their lifetime, however

only 6.3%

Gifts in Wills is worth £2.5 billion a year to the charity sector. If good causes are to carry on with their work, it’s vital that this method of fund-raising survives and thrives. By Tony Greenway

of the UK population went on to leave a charitable gift in their Will when they passed away

16%

of the UK population claimed they have included a charitable gift in their Will. This is the highest level to date.

£2.5 bn a year is raised as gifts to charities in Wills. That's almost as much as 25 Red Nose Days

Many charities were founded by a legacy and many could not continue to exist without this vital source of income One third of Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work is funded by gifts in Wills Source: Remember a Charity

Read more on seniorlifenews.co.uk

Leaving gifts in Wills helps good causes continue their work

ome people call it ‘legacy giving’ but Rob Cope, Director of Remember A Charity, isn’t a fan of the term. “I prefer to call it ‘leaving gifts in Wills’,” he says. “‘Legacy’ is a loaded word because it makes it sound as though you have to be wealthy to leave a gift to a charity after you have gone. But you really don’t have to be. Anyone can leave a gift in their Will, however big or small.” Sadly, not many of us do: just 6.3 per cent of the population at the last count. That said, according to figures from Legacy Foresight, gifts in Wills has grown by 39 per cent over the last five years and is currently worth more than £2.5 billion a year to good causes – a milestone figure for the sector, representing 13 per cent of all voluntary income. So, notes Cope, the numbers are going in the right direction. When Remember A Charity launched in 2002, just 4.5 per cent of the population were leaving charitable gifts in their Wills. “That means we’ve seen a rise of just over 2 per cent in 15 years, which might not sound like much,” he says. “But actually that’s a 50 per cent increase, so it’s all about relative change. And small shifts in behaviour can make an enormous difference to the charity sector, so it’s great that more people are leaving gifts in Wills than ever before.”

Increase The trick now is to persuade even more of us to do it, because many good causes are hugely reliant on this type of-

they’re not able to give that much in their lifetime.”

1600

Rob Cope Director, Remember A Charity

fund-raising. And just a four per cent change in behaviour among the public would generate an additional £1 billion for UK charities every year. Remember A Charity is charity coalition that was formed to encourage more people to consider leaving a charitable gift in their Will. At its launch, it worked with a small group of fundraising charities who wanted to think of new ways to grow giving. These days, it’s involved with more than 180 charitable organisations. “We have been able to stick together and grow the market for gift-giving in ways we never thought possible,” says Cope. “That’s a testament to all the charities we work with and who have been part of our campaign over the years. Our mission is to make people feel good about giving because it’s such a great thing to do. We want to encourage people to think about leaving a gift in their Will as a real option, particularly if

Incentives There are, however, financial challenges to face in this area. While a proposed increase in probate fees has been scrapped by the Government and welcomed by Remember A Charity, the coalition is worried that changes to the inheritance tax (IHT) framework made in April 2017 may put charitable legacies at risk. While the introduction of a new IHT allowance (the main residence nil-rate band) is a welcome reduction in the fiscal burden for families, it also risks reducing the number of people who can benefit from the tax incentives of leaving gifts in Wills, says Cope. A worse case scenario is that 1,200 fewer people will leave charitable gifts as a result. Generous Remember A Charity is also pressing for charitable Wills to be free from VAT. It estimates that an exemption could double the number of people leaving a gift to charity in their Will, and generate a further £800 million for good causes. Still, Cope is optimistic for the future of charitable gifts in Wills. The UK is a generous nation, he says: 74 per cent of us support charities. “The British charity sector is one of the strongest in the world and there are two reasons for that. Number one, we have a very generous public. Number two, we have a very professional and well-organised voluntary sector with some fantastic supporters.”

A gift in your Will could save more children like Cordelia.

THEY HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR OTHERS… HELP GIVE THEM SOMETHING BACK.

Every week 2,000 families in the UK lose a loved one to heart disease. Cordelia’s family was almost one of them.

The WRVS Benevolent Trust is for the benefit of people who are, or who have been, WVS, WRVS or Royal Voluntary Service volunteers or staff by giving one off grants to help with everyday life.

When baby Cordelia was born with congenital heart disease, her family was terrified she would die. But thanks to our research, surgeons were able to use an advanced technique to operate and save her life. Now Cordelia has grown to be a happy, healthy 7-year-old with her whole life ahead of her.

The role of WRVS Benevolent Trust The Trust provides grants to provide financial assistance during times of need or crisis. The Trust also gives Youth Bursary awards once a year to young RVS Volunteers (16-25 years old) who want to do something amazing to further their education or career prospects.

Gifts in Wills are crucial in helping to continue our life saving research. They account for almost half of the British Heart Foundation’s entire funding. Help us stop heart disease tearing families apart with a gift in your Will.

Make a difference with a Legacy: Legacies are vital to our very survival, a fact that most of our supporters don’t realise. All donations allow us to continue our grant giving and to help young volunteers through our Youth Bursary Award.

Breathing life into

the next generation

12 million people in the UK are affected by lung disease.

Our research brings hope to people living with lung conditions. More is desperately needed. Please help our scientists to make breakthroughs and save, prolong and improve more lives.

We’re the only charity looking after the nation’s lungs.

By remembering us in your will, together we’ll protect future generations, so everyone can breathe clean air with healthy lungs. Get in touch about your legacy. 020 7078 7920 • legacies@blf.org.uk • blf.org.uk British Lung Foundation 73-75 Goswell Road London EC1V 7ER Registered charity no: 326730 (England & Wales), SC038415 (Scotland), 1177 (Isle of Man)

Registered charity in England and Wales (225971) and in Scotland (SC039426)

To ThoSE who ARE VulnERABlE AnD AlonE, i lEAVE CoMpASSion, REASSuRAnCE AnD hopE When you write or update your will, please remember the work of the British Red Cross.

The British Red Cross Society, incorporated by Royal Charter 1908, is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949), Scotland (SC037738) and Isle of Man (0752).

Part of REMEMBER A CHARITY

Making your will need not be complicated. Our FREE simple will planner helps you pull together all the information you need to prepare before meeting your solicitor. To download your FREE will planner now go to redcross.org.uk/planwill5 or call 0300 500 0401 to request your copy

GET STARTED: youR willplAnninG woRkShEET

GET STARTED

If you want to apply for a grant or help us with a legacy, please get in touch: email: enquiry@wrvsbt.org.uk or check www.wrvsbt.org.uk for more information

CALL 0800 955 55 55 VISIT BHF.ORG.UK/THINK

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Administrator: has similar duties to an executor, acting for estates where there’s no will or executor, or the named executor is unable or un willing to act. Beneficiary: A person or organisation to whom you leave a gift. Bequest: A gift in your will to a person or organisation. There are different types of gifts: pecuniary bequest; residuary bequest; specific bequest. See below for further details. Codicil: A document that amends your will. Conditional legacy: A legacy that is conditional upon a particular event happening (for instance, “to my son if he should become a doctor”). Demonstrative legacy: Pecuniary legacy payable out of a specific fund. Estate: Deceased’s possessions, property and money. Debts and gifts are paid out of the estate. Executor: Person(s) appointed by you to ensure that the wishes in your will are carried out. Guardian: Named person(s) in your will who is responsible for your children until they become 18 in the event they are orphaned. Grant of probate: A document issued by the court confirming both the validity of a will and the executor’s right to administer the estate. Inheritance tax (IHT): Amount paid when you die on the proportion of your estate over the tax threshold (which varies every tax year). Gifts to charity are free of IHT. Visit hmrc.gov.uk/ cto/iht.htm to find the current inheritance tax rates Intestate Person who dies with no will. Certain relatives can apply for your estate. If you have none, your money will go to the Crown. Issue Your children, their children and so on down the family tree.

Joint property: Under joint tenancy the property passes to the survivor(s) following a death. Legacy: Gift to a person or organisation. Letters of administration: Issued instead of a grant of probate by a court to an administrator. Life interest: Granting a right, often under a trust, to someone which lasts only for the lifetime of the person who benefits by it. Mirror will: One containing almost identical terms to yours. Usually used by spouses or partners where the beneficiaries are largely the same. Noncupative will: A will made orally before witnesses. Pecuniary bequest: A fixed sum of money Probate: Official proof of a will’s validity. If the value of the estate is more than £5,000, probate may have to be applied for by the executors, who can then administer the will and distribute the estate according to your wishes. Residue: Remainder of your estate after other gifts are made and debts are cleared. Residuary bequest: a gift made from the residue. It can be a share (percentage) of the remainder, or all of the remainder Testator: The person who has made a will. Trust: A written arrangement whereby an appointed trustee is given money or assets to hold and manage for the benefit of those defined in the deed or will that created the trust. Trustee: Individuals or an organisation named in a trust deed to take responsibility for the trust assets and manage them Will: A list of instructions telling your executors what to do with your estate when you die and, if relevant, appointing guardians for your children.

Read more on seniorlifenews.co.uk

The big myths about Will writing and gift-giving By Tony Greenway

“Leaving a small amount to a charity won’t make a difference”

Many of us think that drawing up a Will and leaving gifts to good causes is time-consuming and expensive. It’s time to debunk those myths and get more people to donate to charity

When asked, 35 per cent of people aged 40 or over in the UK say that they would be happy to leave a small charitable gift in their Will. That’s a sizeable amount of the population and it would make a huge difference to the country’s good causes. The trouble is, the number who actually follow through with this promise is a rather more modest 6.3 per cent of the population. So what’s putting people off? First of all, not many of us actually have a Will to begin with. In fact, according to YouGov, nearly two thirds of the UK adult population don’t have a Will — which means that, when they die, their assets will be subject to government intestacy rules. “People just don’t get round to it,” says Rob Cope, Director of Remember A Charity. “Making a Will drifts to the bottom of their ’to-do’ pile, which is natural human behaviour. But we really do need to crack this issue and change people’s mindsets.” To do that, it’s important to bust five big myths about making Wills and leaving gifts in Wills, says Cope.

Wrong again, says Cope. “Some people think that gift-giving in Wills only applies to people who are wealthy. But even a small amount can make a massive difference to your favourite good causes.” Rob Cope Director, Remember A Charity

“Making a Will is complicated” This is an easy myth to bust, because making a Will is actually incredibly straightforward. “It can be done in less than an hour,” says Cope. “And once it is, it will give you real peace of mind.” To draw up a Will, visit a solicitor or a qualified Will writer. “Online Wills have also become more prevalent in recent times, plus you can arrange to make a Will over the phone,” says Cope. To make sure the Will is well-drafted by a professional with proper qualifications, carry out due diligence checks and ensure they are a member of a professional body, such as the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) or The Law Society.

“Making a Will is expensive” This is another myth, notes Cope, because it doesn’t have to be pricey. “It does depend on how big your estate is and how complex it is — but a relatively simple Will can be drawn up for around £100-£150,” he says.

“When leaving gifts in my Will, I’ll have to make a choice between family and charity” “This is the biggest myth of all,” says Cope. “It’s not an ‘either/or’ situation. First, I would encourage people to talk to their family about what they are planning to do. Then I would suggest thinking of their Will as a cake. They can give nearly all of the cake to their family or friends; but the small slice that’s left over at the end can be divided between their favourite charities. And that can feed an awful lot of people.”

“I can only leave a gift in my Will to one charity” Not so, says Cope. “People can leave gifts to as many different charities as they want. On average, people leave to three different charities – but the amount is entirely up to you. And that’s great because it gives you a chance to think about all the causes you really care about.” These can be big and international – or small and local.

Be part of our future with a gift in your Will Gifts in Wills are vital to Marie Curie. With your support, now and in the future, we can continue helping people who need us, wherever they are in the UK.

HONOUR THE PAST

GIVE TO THE FUTURE

A gift in your Will to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is a wonderful tribute to those who have served our country, as well as a powerful commitment to give veterans and serving personnel the support they need and deserve. To find out more call 020 7307 3444 email legacy@rafbf.org.uk or visit www.rafbf.org/remember

“I decided to leave a gift in my Will to Marie Curie because of the wonderful care that my mum received. Making my Will was such an easy process and I know it could make a big difference to future generations of people living with a terminal illness.” Karen Green, Marie Curie supporter

To find out more about leaving a gift in your Will to Marie Curie, please get in touch with us. Freephone: 0800 716 146 Email: giftsinwills@mariecurie.org.uk Visit: mariecurie.org.uk/legacygifts Part of REMEMBER A CHARITY

Registered charity in England and Wales (1081009) and in Scotland (SC038109)

Children only get one chance at childhood...

Charity reg no. 207994 (England & Wales), SC038731 (Scotland) C315

Be there for animals. Today, tomorrow, always.

...you can help make sure it’s one free from abuse and neglect.

What if you could keep your love for animals alive even when you’re no longer here? A gift in your Will to the RSPCA means you can do just that. With your help, we can continue to rescue, rehabilitate and find loving homes for animals in need. Together, we can protect animals, always. For your free guide, please call: 0300 123 0239 or visit: rspca.org.uk/giftsinwills

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children © 2016 NSPCC. Registered charity England and Wales 216401 and Scotland SC037717. Photography by Jon Challicom. The child pictured is a model.J20141389.

After you’ve remembered your loved ones, you could help keep the next generation of children safe, by leaving a gift in your will. To ﬁnd out more call 020 7825 2939, email legacyinfo@nspcc.org.uk or visit nspcc.org.uk/giftsinwills

205039.indd 1

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS. The RSPCA helps animals in England and Wales. Registered charity no. 219099. ©RSPCA 2017. All rights reserved.

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INSPIRATION

Charities ‘facing a much tougher’ time to survive Many charities rely on donations to keep functioning, says Rob Cope, Director of Remember A Charity. There’s never been a more important time to think about leaving a gift in your Will. By Tony Greenway

Do people take the charity sector for granted? Yes, I think they do. I also think it’s the case that people don’t realise the large number of services in this country that are provided by charities. You only have to look at the different types of organisations that we work with to get an understanding of all the amazing things they do. For example, a lot of medical research simply would not happen without gifts left in Wills. A lot of protection of buildings, places and areas of outstanding natural beauty are often taken care of by charities; plus they do much work on disability issues. And six out of 10 lifeboat launches are funded by gifts in Wills. We’re lucky in the UK because in many countries in the world, these services simply don’t exist. So think of all the things you benefit from in your lifetime that are provided by charities — and then

just imagine if they were taken away because of lack of funding.

How has the charity sector been affected by the financial environment over the last decade? A lot of government funding that used to exist has either gone or has significantly dwindled over time. It’s become a much tougher environment for charities over the last 10 to 15 years. That’s why they need to look at different ways of raising income. Some have to do it simply to keep going. Some areas of the charity sector have received criticism in the press recently. How can people be sure that any gifts they leave in their Wills will be used properly?

Rob Cope Director, Remember A Charity

Find out about your favourite charities at: www.rememberacharity.org.uk

Read more on seniorlifenews.co.uk

You’re right: even if they are only going to leave a small amount to a charity in their Wills, people want to know that the money will be spent wisely. It’s part of their family inheritance, after all. Charities recognise this and work incredibly hard with dedicated staff and volunteers to ensure that all money they receive is spent in the most effective way. Many charities now offer a pledge to their supporters, to promise that they will spend it in the right way, at the right time and that funds will always go to the causes and people that need them the most.

Have charities become more transparent in recent years? Yes they have. I would always encourage people who are thinking about leaving a gift in their Will to look at an organisation’s annual accounts and find out more about the

work they do by studying their website. Ask yourself: ‘Do they change people’s lives? And what do they do in terms of change that resonates with me and my family?’

Why is leaving a gift in Will a good way to donate to charity? It’s a great alternative for people, particularly if they are cash poor but asset rich and can’t afford to give to charity right now, or aren’t able to take part in fundraising ventures. It’s also simple. You decide which organisation — or organisations — are important to you. It might be a cause you have a connection to: something that has affected your family or touched your life in some way. It’s an amazing way to say ’thank you for the support you’ve shown me — and I hope you can help many more people after I’m gone.’

Changing the future of spinal cord injury There are over 50,000 people in the UK and Ireland living with a spinal cord injury. Spinal Research funds research across the world into treatments for spinal cord injury and the distressing and devastating effects it has on people’s lives.

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Remember Spinal Research in your Will and your gift will leave a legacy of hope.

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With everyone’s help we believe paralysis can be beaten.

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www.spinal-research.org/legacy legacy@spinal-research.org

Every day three people are told they will never walk again

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Registered Charity Number 1151015 (England and Wales)

ON EI NS IX One in six people in the UK suffer from a neurological disorder. It can be present from birth. It can develop slowly or primarily affect the elderly. It can occur through accident or injury.

Ensure the places you love, are never lost Irreplaceable moments happen at National Trust places. Like a quick stroll that becomes an epic climb to the very top, or a paddle on the beach that turns into an unexpected swim. They aren’t always perfect or planned, but they’re our memories and they’re priceless. By leaving a gift in your Will, big or small, you’ll be directly protecting historic buildings, gardens, wild spaces and coastlines – keeping them safe for memories yet to be made. To find out how to leave a gift in your Will call 01793 817699 email legacies@nationaltrust.org.uk or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/gifts-in-wills

The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery is the UK’s leading neurological treatment centre. It is also recognised as a world leader in neurological research and development and in teaching.

You can help so many people by making a donation, leaving a legacy or gifting shares to: The National Brain Appeal, Box 123, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG 020 3448 4724 www.nationalbrainappeal.org The National Brain Appeal is the working name of The National Hospital Development Foundation. Registered Charity No. 290173

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INSPIRATION

Carers can make lives easier with transformative tech Technology is available that can help someone live independently, while greatly reducing the pressure on their carers. So why aren’t more of us taking advantage of it? By Tony Greenway

ver the last decade or so, technology has made things easier for us. The internet, smartphones, Skype/Facetime, social media, Siri, sat navs... you name it, our lives have been transformed by it. Recent research from Carers UK, the national membership charity for people caring, unpaid, for loved ones, shows that seven out of 10 adults online across the country use technology to help them manage their money, shop, network with friends and communicate with the outside world. Technology is available that could transform the way we approach health and care, too. Sadly, less than three in 10 of us use it – and that’s a depressing figure, says Madeleine Starr, Director of Business Development and Innovation at Carers UK.

Pressures “The pressures on social care are so intense that something has to give somewhere,” she admits. “Yet technology could help relieve those pres-

sures because innovations are a great way of maximising support.” For example, monitors and sensors can alert family carers if someone has had a fall, or respond to changes in room temperature; while GPS tracking, exit sensors or location devices can tell them if someone with dementia has wandered outside of their home. Then there are vital sign monitors, which help track blood glucose, blood pressure and blood oxygen, or monitor heart rate and sleep patterns; plus medication management systems remind people when to take their medicine (or alert their carer if they forget). Apps – available on any smartphone – can help coordinate care, monitor physical health and mental health or help manage a condition. “For instance, it’s so easy to remotely turn the heating up in an older person’s house with app-related environmental controls,” says Starr. “And you can program smart plugs so that the lights come on whenever someone gets out of bed, decreasing their chances of having a fall.”

Madeleine Starr Director of Business Development and Innovation at Carers UK

Boosting Independence Starr insists technology will never be a replacement for human interaction. “That’s not what this is about,” she says. “But it can enable us to target human support much more effectively. For example, if a care agency using a monitoring system can see that a client has been up six times in the night, it might mean he or she has a urinary tract infection. So technology can be used for prevention and detection, too.” So what’s stopping greater num-

bers of carers — and the cared for — using this kind of tech? After all, it could reduce their stress and anxiety, increase their independence and greatly enhance their lives. The answer, says Starr, is a general lack of awareness. More needs to be done to tell people that these innovations actually exist. She notes that it’s particularly surprising when people use apps or wear activity trackers to support their own wellbeing, but don’t make the logical leap that similar devices could also help elderly members of their own family.

Inexpensive “I’ve done focus groups with some very smart, tech savvy people who didn’t have the slightest idea what’s available with regards to health/care technology,” says Starr. “In one forum I met people who are frantically worried that their very frail parents, who are living independently at home, will have a fall. Not one of them had heard of a falls detector. They hadn’t even heard of a lifeline pendant [a personal alarm service worn around the neck].

But then it’s very hard to go looking for something when you don’t know what it is you’re trying to find.” This equipment doesn’t have to be expensive, either, is readily available and easy to use. In England, access to local authority provided – or funded – technology solutions will normally require a needs assessment and will be subject to you meeting the national eligibility criteria and agreeing with the local authority that these technology solutions are the best way to meet your needs.. “This kind of technology can be low-cost, it’s plug and play, and some of it can be connected to a call centre for 24/7 monitoring,” says Starr. “You can buy it in electronics stores, online retailers and specialist health and care product providers. Where to get it is not the problem, though. The real issue is that people don’t know what these devices are or what they can do. That has to change. Otherwise it’s a wasted opportunity for them.” Read more on seniorlifenews.co.uk

Supporting independence With simple, smart home monitoring. Wouldn’t it be great if we could pre-empt falls and mishaps that make us worry about loved-ones living independently? Now we can. With Canary Care’s simple, smart home monitoring system.

• Alerts you to changes in behaviour • Helps you spot problems early • Informs you to make the right care decisions • All without cameras, mics or Wi-Fi Learn more about Canary Care at canarycare.co.uk Also available at shop.bt.com/canarycare

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COLUMN

Sir Anthony ‘Tony’ Robinson Actor and Presenter

Tony’s tips for good mental health Have you had any experience of mental health issues with older members of your own family? Both my mum and my dad had some kind of dementia – and I spent so much time surrounded by the failures of the care system, the ignorance of what the disease was, the exhaustion of the carers and lack of funding that I became crosser and crosser. I made a documentary for Channel 4 called Me and My Mum about my experience of caring for my mum at the end of her life.

Is anxiety and depression an issue among this age group? When you get older, it’s more likely that you’ll be less mobile, so you won’t be able to get out as much or see as much or see your relatives as much as you’d like. You start losing friends. Your sight might not be so good so you can’t read as well or watch the telly. There are good reasons why your depression is likely to be aggravated by the situation you find yourself in.

I’m proud to be part of the volunteering A-Team Volunteering is a two-way street, says Arthur Martin, who does a hospital trolley round once a week. You help brighten someone’s day and get immense personal satisfaction in the process.

Is being socially active a good way to keep mentally resilient? I think that’s absolutely right. But, of course, a lot of older people can’t be socially active on their own — they require assistance when it comes to finding out where activities are taking place or organising transport. Realistically, we need to take much more responsibility than we often do for the mental health of the older people we love.

What do you do to keep mentally sharp? You’re asking Baldrick that question? I’m very lucky. I’m nearly 71 but I’m still working fulltime. I find that having a challenge to constantly engage me really helps. There are certain things we can all do: like, quite frankly, not drinking too much, watching your diet, getting some exercise, and remaining engaged with society.

Read more on seniorlifenews.co.uk

By Tony Greenway

rthur Martin and his wife, Jill, are known as the A-Team. “That’s what we call ourselves, anyway,” laughs Arthur, 73, a volunteer with the Royal Voluntary Service, one of the largest volunteer organisations in the UK. “It’s our job to take a refreshments trolley around the wards at Frimley Park Hospital, near Camberley in Surrey, on a Friday afternoon.”

The hospital shop’s trolley sells drinks, snacks, newspapers, toothpaste and toothbrushes, among other items. “It’s a service for patients who are incapacitated and can’t get to the shop” says Arthur. “So you can imagine – if you can’t get out of bed – it’s good when Arthur and Jill turn up with the trolley. Also Doctors and Nurses overdue a break often grab a snack off the trolley to keep them going. Apart from boosting his mental

wellbeing, Arthur thinks hospital volunteering is good physical exercise. “The trolley is big and takes a bit of shoving around,” he says. “It needs teamwork. Which is why we’re the A-Team!”

Giving something back Arthur first got involved with the Royal Voluntary Service through Jill. She and her best friend, Sylvia, had been volunteering at the hospital for some years; but when her first

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PHOTO: ARTHUR MARTIN

Arthur Martin, Royal Voluntary Service volunteer, teaches wood working to youth at GrandFest every year.

grandchild was born, Sylvia needed to spend more time on grandmothering duties. “But Jill didn’t want to give up and was looking for someone to help with the trolley round,” remembers Arthur. “So I said that if the Royal Voluntary Service would have me, I’d help until someone else came along.” That was five years ago – and Arthur has been pushing the trolley ever since. So what does he like so much about the role? “I worked as a

policeman for 30 years,” he explains. “Primarily I was dealing with rogues and criminals. So now I think it’s good to be able to put something back in the pot and deal with nice people who want a little bit of help and a cheery word. I get a lot of satisfaction from that. Patients find it so boring to be in hospital. They want someone to say ‘hello’ to them and pass the time of day. Chatting with them isn’t what we’re there to do — but we do it anyway because they

love it, and it’s great to think we’ve brightened someone’s day.”

Boosting wellbeing Volunteers can put in as many hours as they like. “Jill and I do two hours on a Friday afternoon because we’re both retired, we’ve got various hobbies and Friday is a spare slot for us,” says Arthur. “It doesn’t cost me anything, either, because I’ve got a bus pass to get me to and from the hospital.”

Arthur also volunteers at the Royal Volunteer Service’s GrandFest, an event which gives talented older people a chance to share their skills with the younger generation. At this year’s GrandFest on 18 June, he’ll be teaching a masterclass in wood-turning to novices at London’s Geffrye Museum. “I first did wood-turning when I was a kid,” says Arthur. “Then, when I retired, I found The Surrey Association of Woodturners, one of the largest wood-turning clubs in the

country three miles from my house, which I joined. A few years ago, the Royal Voluntary Service asked if there was a skill I’d be prepared to demonstrate at GrandFest, so I’ve been teaching woodturning there since 2015. If I hadn’t volunteered at the hospital, I would never have taken part in GrandFest. It’s like networking. I love it – it’s great fun.” Read more on seniorlifenews.co.uk