Your Later Life - Q4 - Dec 2018

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DECEMBER 2018 SENIORLIFENEWS.CO.UK

Your Later Life

Len Goodman “I have never been busier and never more active than I am now.”

P4 PHOTO: LEN GOODMAN CELEBRATED BECOMING AN AGE UK AMBASSADOR THIS YEAR AT LOCAL DANCE CLASS

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IN THIS ISSUE

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ROYAL VOLUNTARY SERVICE Volunteering not only does good, it makes you feel good P10

UK FINANCE Banking fraudsters are becoming increasingly professional. Learn what you need to look out for P12

REMEMBER A CHARITY Two-thirds of adults in the UK are currently without a Will P8

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We all need someone to turn to in later life

Caroline Abrahams Charity Director, Age UK

People often say no one teaches us to be parents and this is equally true when it comes to getting older. The ups and downs of being an older person are discussed a lot less often than those of becoming a mum or dad. It really can feel like travelling a new path once you reach later life.

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f course, we still keep being ourselves but, for most people, later life also brings important changes; some welcome, others less so. We are all individuals too, so what gladdens the heart for some of us may deeply depress others. I am

thinking of things like stopping paid work: if you love your job this can be really traumatic, whereas we all know people who literally can’t wait.

Having people around you can be very supportive as you age How we feel about these life changes depends in part on our outlook – some of us are naturally more ‘bouncy’ than others – but whether you feel there are enough people around you with whom to share the good things, or be a shoulder to cry on when life gets tough – makes a big difference too.

Some older people have a rich array of family and friends, but many others don’t. It is rather unfortunate, too,

that the older you get, the more likely you are to have to face the illness or deaths of life-long friends. Family support may either not exist or not be near at hand and, in any case, many are reluctant to ‘bother’ busy younger relatives. Support networks shrink.

Knowing where to find advice can be tricky The problem of loneliness is well known, now, but there’s even more to it than that. Navigating later life in a fast moving world requires knowhow and advice to help make the right decisions – such as how to get the right care if you need it, or the pros and cons of moving to somewhere smaller.

We all need decent, independent

information and advice sometimes and later life is no exception.

So, at Age UK, we were really worried when we found out that more than two and half million older people felt they had no one to turn to for help and our aim is to fill this important gap. We want to be there for every older person who needs us, whether via our free telephone advice line (open 365 days a year), or indeed through our wonderful, local Age UKs, which do so much in their communities. It is why we have launched a new campaign this winter called, ‘No one should have no one to turn to’, which I hope you will want to support.

Age UK Age UK is encouraging people to get behind its campaign and to donate to help ensure that the charity’s essential services and support can continue to be there for older people and their families and friends. For more information on ‘No one should have no one to turn to’, or to donate, visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/noone Anyone who needs support or is worried about an older relative or friend can get in touch by calling Age UK Advice, free of charge, on 0800 169 6565, visiting www.ageuk.org.uk or by contacting their local Age UK to see what support is available locally.

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Hearing loss and the impact on quality of life Loneliness can be a result of hearing loss. People suffering from hearing loss often feel isolated because they struggle with social situations, family gatherings, coffee with friends or even using the phone.

Activities, which were enjoyable, become hard when you are unable to confidently interact with those around you.

It is common for people to withdraw from social situations and spend more time alone at home.

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Josie Dunster Nucleus 7 Recipient

e hear from one woman who says her life is, “unrecognisable” after having a cochlear implant fitted in August 2017. Josie Dunster, 71, a lay preacher from Nottinghamshire says: “My only regret with my implant is that I didn’t have one fitted years ago. If I had, I may have stayed at work longer.

“I first noticed a problem with my hearing in my 40s. I kept writing down telephone

numbers incorrectly when given details over the phone. It was a real problem and very embarrassing as I loved my work in a job centre.

“Well, after that, things started to get worse. I was finding hearing people’s conversations really difficult.

Eventually I got referred to an audiologist and was given hearing aids. But these never really worked well for me.”

I am usually so positive, but I felt depressed “My hearing issue was becoming more of a problem at work. Especially using the telephone. Even with an amplifier on the phone, I was still struggling.

I started to feel a bit depressed and lonely, which is very unlike me as I’m usually such a positive person. It was a pretty bleak time and I ended up retiring early.

“Then, two years ago at a visit with an audiologist about the tinnitus I had developed, she asked if I’d ever

considered a cochlear implant. I’d never heard of them and was really curious – they sounded too good to be true. I’d never got on with hearing aids and thought that I’d run out of options.

“I was so disappointed at the first test when they said my hearing was too good! I couldn’t believe it; but then realised that my ability to lip read meant that I was filling in the words in the official test.

“At another test, three months later, they realised just how much hearing loss that I had. I was offered the operation at Nottingham and didn’t hesitate. It was an easy procedure and I was out the next day.”

to me. I can mix in social situations and not feel so excluded as I can hear most of what’s going on.

“I also have a little Cairn Terrier called Ivy and now a major part of my day is walking the dog and speaking to lots of different people.

“I would recommend a cochlear implant to anybody in my situation.

And please don’t wait as long as I did! It has completely transformed my life. I am so grateful.”

SPONSORED

An easy, one day operation “I can’t begin to explain how much my life has changed and how much more joy is in it since my implant. I love music and couldn’t listen to my favourites, John Denver and Cliff Richard. But I can now begin to enjoy it more and it is such a source of pleasure

Read more at bit.ly/hearmorecochlear

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Cooking up a storm Tricia Hegde Volunteer, Royal Voluntary Service

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Len Goodman’s advice for loneliness in later life As you get older, it’s easy to just sit back and do nothing.

But once you’re up and doing things it makes you feel so much better. Golf is one of the few sports you can do whatever age you are, and I play at least once a week.

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belong to a gym, too, but you can get plenty of exercise at home.

Gardening, cleaning the house, going for a walk, even cooking. You could even pickle some walnuts, my favourites!

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ixty-six-year-old former nurse, Tricia Hegde, has been running Royal Voluntary Service’s Mill End Lunch Club in Rickmansworth for nine years. The club is open five days a week and provides a lifeline to older people in the community, offering tasty homecooked food and all-important company.

How and why did you start volunteering?

I first became involved in the lunch club when I helped a friend who was volunteering with Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) and they were short-staffed. My friend just needed a hand and so, of course, I was happy to help. That was nine years ago now! I ended up staying because I could see how amazing the service was, and now I’m running the show.

What does your role involve?

I will cook once a week, for around 20 diners who all come from the local area. I will always make a couple of extra meals, just in case a few others turn up. I come in around 9am and lunch is served at 12.30pm, so that gives us a chance to do all the prep and cook and squeeze in a quick coffee break before everyone arrives.

My role also involves recruiting and managing volunteers; we have around 30 currently. I will order the food and manage the club’s finances too. Generally, I spend six hours a week on club business, but I always make sure that I have Wednesdays off, as this is the day I spend with my grandchildren.

Did you have any cooking experience before you started?

I’ve never cooked professionally, but we have a rota of dishes that we make and which our diners really enjoy, such as shepherd’s pie, lasagne and casseroles. You get to know who’s coming for lunch, so I always try to make sure I make things those people like.

Would you recommend volunteering to run a lunch club to others?

Yes definitely. If there is not one in your area, then it would be amazing to set one up, or if not, a different sort of social club or activity. You can’t underestimate the social impact that it has and it’s so rewarding for the volunteers too. And volunteering is a great way to stay active and keep busy, I’m made so many new friends along the way.

Keeping active in older life keeps your brain sharp I think it is essential to have an active and healthy lifestyle in later life; I have never been busier and never more active than I am now. Exercising regularly and eating healthily are linked to a healthier brain and sharper thinking skills and I think it is so vital to keep your mind active and alert; it builds confidence. But exercise is so good for you, no matter what your age.

It is too easy to shut yourself away in later life and become sedentary. Be active – get out and socialise. Meeting other people is a great stimulant.

Dancing is great exercise; as is housework!

I am biased, of course, but dancing is a wonderful way to feel healthy and alive. Any kind of dancing is so stimulating. There are so many dancing clubs out there these days, why not join one? It’s a great way of socialising while learning a new skill.

It is never too late to start.

Any amount of physical activity makes such a difference. It gets the heart pumping and the old muscles working, and you can do so much. It could be a brisk walk in the countryside, even doing housework – hoovering, polishing

and cleaning are a great form of physical activity. Don’t put it off; make it a fun activity and not a drudgery.

Remember, it is doing you good.

If you have one, get on your bike.

Cycling is a great way to keep fit.

Everyone knows how good gardening is for you – and I recommend it thoroughly. Swimming, too, if you can get to your local baths. They do say that swimming exercises every muscle in your body; that can’t be a bad thing.

Exercise can really boost your social circle Loneliness is a terrible thing at any age, but it can be so debilitating in later life. Most people will feel lonely at some point in their lives; people even say you can feel lonely in a bustling city. As you get older it’s especially important to try and chat to friends to help improve wellbeing and tackle loneliness. Joining local groups – be it a golf club, a swimming session at your local gym, dance classes in the village hall – can really strengthen your wellbeing because you get to make, and spend time with, new friends.

diagnosis, or a partner going to live in a care home, can be triggers for older people to become more isolated and feel lonelier.

Age UK’s phoneline and clubs are there to support people Give Age UK a call. It’s easy and it’s free. Their confidential information and advice line is open 365 days a year.

You can get help and support on any issues you (or a relative or friend) may be facing, including loneliness.

They say it’s good to talk – and a problem shared is a problem halved.

One answer is not to give in. Be determined to get out and about and meet people. Join one of Age UK’s clubs. A good chat never did anyone any harm. Local Age UKs offer so many services – talk to them and find out about the services they have on offer in their area including activities and befriending services. It could be life-changing.

I give Age UK a 10!

Loneliness can be a tremendous hardship Friendships are so important in later life. I am an ambassador for Age UK and the charity does such great work to combat loneliness. Their research shows that significant life moments, such as bereavement, serious health

Len Goodman Ambassador, Age UK

LEN GOODMAN ATTENDS AGE UK LEWISHAM & SOUTHWARK DANCE CLASS

How does the lunch club benefit the local community?

People come here to have a nice lunch, but they get so much more.

They make new friends, and some have even found new partners, which is just lovely. Coming to our lunch club may be the only time a member will eat with other people or have a warm, cooked meal, so it is important. It’s lovely to feed people and provide a place for them to get together. It’s a special place to be.

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The Internet of Things helps independent living

ve in lder and

Vulnerable people can be helped to live independently in their own homes for longer by monitoring systems connected Louise Rogerson John Hutchins to the internet.

Chief Operating Officer, Head of Smarter Living,

t

Howz it’s tion year. The internet of things (IoT) any is transforming the lives of may the elderly and disabled,

enabling them to live at

nd a home safely and giving ed. reassurance to their carers. . Be huge range of low-cost and cameras and microphones is UK’s now available that connect one r so to a home’s wifi system. Smartphone find apps enable carers to keep an eye on their charges over the internet, wherever they are.

IoT devices are even beginning to replace the familiar emergency pendant with the big red button.

Amazon’s Alexa, for example, can connect someone who has suffered a fall with their carers by listening out for simple commands.

A

Blue Lab

Cameras and microphones can, however, be seen as intrusive, even though their purpose is good, says Chartered Physiotherapist, Louise Rogerson, inventor of a new way of approaching the problem that avoids feelings of loss of privacy.

Her tech start-up, Howz, has been working with EDF Energy to launch a new home monitoring system that uses energy data and connected home technology to empower the elderly, or those with additional needs, to live independently for longer.

The system, which has been developed and tested extensively with existing EDF Energy customers over the past two years, includes a motion sensor, a door sensor and a smart plug. The three communicate with the home hub, which analyses the times each sensor is triggered and

uses complex algorithms to develop a picture of the lifestyle of the client.

Carers can consult a smartphone app for reassurance that everything is normal without having to ring up all the time.

Intelligent tech learns a client’s routines “We learn their individual routine and that’s the baseline from which we can detect change,” Rogerson explains. “The analytics determine what is a big change from routine and that might result in an alert, but also will detect gradual changes or reductions in activity that might indicate a new condition, and they get that back via an app or a website view, which they can then share with carers.

The standard approach to home

“As you get older, it’s especially important to try and chat to friends to help improve wellbeing and tackle loneliness.”

monitoring is to put a sensor in every room, but older people find that quite intrusive. We are absolutely not tracking people from room to room we can monitor lifestyle using just the three sensors.”

The system can detect gradual changes that might indicate problems in the future. “Detecting change early means you can take action early,” Rogerson says.

“A really good example is balance.

People who start to lose balance will self-limit and start to move less and go out less. Our system detects that, and they think, ‘why am I going out less?’ and realise they are feeling a bit unsteady now. The answer might be as simple as finding a local Tai Chi class, which has excellent evidence of improving balance.”

Howz got a boost when starting

by winning a start-up challenge run

by EDF Energy Blue Lab, an incubator for innovations in smart home technology.

John Hutchins, Head of Smarter Living at Blue Lab, says “At Blue Lab, we’re not just interested in gadgets and novelties; we are interested in helping people to live easier lives, whether it is comfort, security or control. Howz helps people live independently longer.”

Chris Partridge

SPONSORED

Read more at howz.com/

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How to support your favourite charity — even after you have gone Think charities are only used by other people? Think again. They touch all of our lives and need funding to survive, which is why gift-giving in Wills is so important to them.

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hink of all the incredible work that charities do around the world. The research and fundraising they do; the care, help and support they give; the way they raise awareness about littleknown issues, and the life-saving differences they can make to people and communities.

Then think what would happen if that all just... stopped.

And it really could, says Rob Cope, Director of Remember A Charity, an organisation that collaborates with UK charities to raise awareness about gift-giving in Wills. Because the fact is that all charities rely on donations in order to survive, much less thrive — and in these financially hard-pressed times, many of them are struggling.

Charities are struggling That’s why they rely on financial gifts left to them in Wills, which is the largest source of all the voluntary income they receive. Statistics show that health charities benefit from

the largest proportion of gifts in Wills (38% of total legacy income), followed by animal charities (15%), and conservation and disability charities (each receiving 8%).

Of course, we could put our blinkers on and pretend that charities are only used by other people, says Cope. But all of us, at one time or another, have relied on charitable services, whether we’ve realised it or not.

Any one of us could need help from a charity at some point “Charities are the glue that holds the fabric of society together,” he notes. “Many of us will use them on a day-to-day basis. It might be the local hospital charitable trust, or organisations that carry out research into health issues that touch us all in one way or another, such as cancer or dementia.

When we think about charities, we tend to think of big, national organisations. But what about

small local charities? Charities can be museums, art galleries, and youth services, too. All of these organisations are increasingly dependent on gifts that people leave in their Wills.”

A search engine, made by charities, to answer life’s big questions To get this message across, 200 charities recently launched the world’s first charity-powered internet search engine, called, Human. This invites the public to type in a variety of questions and get video responses from charities, their supporters and beneficiaries.

“People want answers to some of life’s big questions,” says Cope.

“Alongside more philosophical ones such as, ‘are we alone in the universe?’ and, ‘what is love?’, the search engine attempts to answer practical questions such as, ‘how can we provide clean drinking water for everyone?’, ‘how do we ensure that no-one has to sleep rough?’ and

Rob Cope Director, Remember A Charity

‘how can we stop children dying from preventable causes?’”

Ultimately, the idea is to underline what charities do, and what people can do to support them.

“It’s a way to reach out to the public to get them to explore some of the biggest challenges facing humanity — and understand how charities are working to solve them,” says Cope.

The good news is that more of us do realise the importance of charitable organisations because the numbers of gifts left in Wills is going up. In fact, charitable gifts in Wills raised £2.96 billion for good causes in 2017 and is predicted to reach £3.4 billion by 2022.

We need to normalise gift-giving “Just under 16% of all Wills have charitable gifts in them, which is fantastic,” says Cope. “But there is still a way to go. What we have to do now is ‘normalise’ gift-giving in Wills so that it becomes second nature to everyone.”

Research shows that increasing numbers of people are aware of legacy giving; but, plainly, many still have reservations about it. “If someone doesn’t have much to leave, they might assume that their gift wouldn’t make any difference,” says Cope. “But that’s exactly the point, because if everyone left a charity something, no matter how small, it would make a massive difference. It’s great to think about what really matters to us in life, and then pass on a gift to ensure those services can endure for the next generation. What’s more, it’s something everyone can do.”

Tony Greenway

Read more at seniorlifenews.co.uk

Celebrate Art and Creativity with a Gift in Your Will

Become a guardian for the next generation

The V&A holds over 2.3 million works of art which delight and inspire visitors, students and designers from all over the world.

Work never stops to safely conserve, store and exhibit the collection for all to enjoy. Please help us to protect these treasures by leaving a donation to the V&A in your Will.

Over 500,000 children suffer abuse and neglect a year in the UK. But child abuse and neglect isn’t inevitable. It’s preventable.

Leave a gift in your will and help be there for every child.

To find out how your legacy could help: +44(0)207 942 2898 legacy@vam.ac.uk vam.ac.uk/legacies

Search ‘NSPCC guardians’ to request your free legacy information pack.

This late 1770s gown was acquired thanks to a donation left in the Will of Miss Betty Saunders.

Part of REMEMBER A CHARITY

Legacy Giving Advert v5.indd 1

03/12/2018 10:46:00

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What’s your New Year’s Resolution?

This new year, do something truly amazing and pledge to help vulnerable children for years to come by leaving a gift in your will to Action for Children.

Legacies left to Action for Children play a vital role in supporting over 300,000 of the UK’s most vulnerable children. We know that the problems children face can be solved and that patterns of disadvantage, neglect and Visit emotional distress can be actionforchildren. overcome when we intervene. org.uk/ Visit actionforchildren. legacies or call 0300 org.uk/legacies 123 2112 or call 0300 123 2112 for more for more information. information.

Part of REMEMBER A CHARITY

Registered charity nos. 1097940/SC038092/company no. 4764232. AfC 0807

0807 - Later Life Telegraph Advert_Final_New5.12.18.indd 1

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© National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children 2018. Registered charity England and Wales 216401 and Scotland SC037717. 20181307.

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Remembering a charity is easy — if you have a Will Many of us don't have a Will, so can't leave a gift to charity. Yet making a Will isn't expensive or difficult — and even small charitable donations are hugely appreciated.

Leaving a charitable gift in your Will is so easy to do, says Rob Cope, Director of Remember A Charity. Of course, in order to do it, you actually have to have a Will to begin with — and a shockingly high number of us don't.

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n fact, two-thirds of adults in the UK are currently without a Will — a statistic that never ceases to amaze Cope. “Making a Will isn't expensive,” he says. “It usually costs around £150, which is money well spent because it offers real peace of mind. We'll happily pay £150 for theatre tickets or to get our car serviced, but we baulk at the idea of spending that amount on one of the most important legal documents we'll ever have.” If we don't have a Will, we die intestate, so the law gets to decide how our assets

and possessions are distributed.

Cope does, however, understand the reasons for numbers being so low. “We put it off,” he says simply.

“Making a Will is not at the top of our 'to do' list, so it gets forgotten about.

Plus, this is a subject that some of us find emotionally difficult, because it means confronting the final chapter of our lives.” Yet it needn't be a gloomy process, he insists.

“When I wrote my Will, I thought that remembering my family and favourite charities was a really nice thing to do,” says Cope. “It didn't make me sad. It made me feel good.”

Hire a professional, don’t do it yourself Perhaps people are also put off because they think that writing a Will is time-consuming. But it just isn't. The most popular route is to make an appointment with a solicitor; although some providers

offer online or over-the-phone Will writing services.

However, it is important to stress that you should never attempt to write a Will yourself, warns Cope.

“Always get a professional and reputable Will writer to draw up a properly written document for you,” he says. “No-one benefits from a badly written Will that can be contested — and certainly not your loved ones or the charities that would otherwise benefit from it.”

Another conundrum is choosing the charities you want to remember in your Will. There are so many of them, after all, and they all rely on donations to carry out their crucial work. So, Cope suggests leaving a gift to those organisations that have meant something special to you during your lifetime. Perhaps they supported you or a loved one in a time of crisis, or represent a cause you feel particularly passionate about.

Rob Cope Director, Remember A Charity

Do your own research into Will-writing If a charity is new to you, find out about their aims, achievements and how they operate by reading about them on their websites. “If this information isn't obvious, call them direct and say that you're considering leaving them a gift in your Will, but want more information first,” says Cope. “Ask them to tell you how they spend the donations they receive from the public — and why your gift could make a difference to them.”

There's never been a better time to leave a gift in your Will. Thanks to the UK's generous system of tax relief, any gift left to charity in a Will is currently exempt from inheritance tax (which is charged at 40%); and when 10% or more of an estate is donated to a charity in a Will, a lower rate of tax (36%) is applied. A review of inheritance tax by the The Office

of Tax Simplification is expected by the end of the year.

Of course, there's no hard and fast rule about the amount you should leave to your favourite charities; but Cope is at pains to point out that, when writing your Will, you should always ensure your family and friends are taken care of first. “After that, leave whatever is the right amount for you,” he says. “You could leave 99% of your estate to your loved ones and then 1% to your favourite charities. That might not sound like much, but even a small amount can make a big difference.”

Tony Greenway

Read more at seniorlifenews.co.uk

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Geoff can’t afford to pay for Patch’s skin condition alone, but your support could help Patch and his owner, Geoff Greg Beneficiary, PDSA

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et patient, Patch, and his human ‘dad’, Geoff Gregg, from County Durham, are inseparable and have been ever since Geoff rescued the crossbreed pooch when he was just one year old. Patch and Geoff rely on PDSA to help manage Patch’s lifelong skin condition.

Every three months, Patch needs to visit his local PDSA pet hospital in Sunderland to get his vital medication (and plenty of essential cuddles too).

Geoff is so grateful to PDSA that he’s left a gift to the charity in his will. “PDSA is a lifeline to me.

I wouldn’t be able to afford his regular treatment without the charity’s help. I can’t imagine my life without him and it is so reassuring to know that PDSA is there.”

“Patch always comes first,” he says. “He is my best friend and I absolutely adore him.”

PDSA provides a vital lifeline to hundreds of thousands of worried pet owners who love and cherish their furry companions but whose circumstances prevent them from accessing necessary care.

doesn’t receive any government funding.

It is gifts in wills that make up a vital part of the charity’s income. “Legacy giving is such an important part of PDSA funding,” says PDSA vet, Olivia Anderson-Nathan. “When our supporters remember us in their will, their love and kindness live on every time we save a pet’s life.”

Every gift will help provide life-saving care and treatment to sick and injured pets in need.

Hazel Davis How to leave a gift in your will to PDSA:

Call PDSA’s legacy team on 0800 591248 or visit pdsa.org.uk/legacies to request your free guide.

SPONSORED

£60 million in vets bills each year It costs PDSA more than £60 million to provide veterinary care each year – money that comes entirely from generous supporters – the charity

Making Space are making a difference to people they support nationwide This year has seen us paving the way for innovation across the health and social care sector.

As a result, we have launched our fundraising team in hopes of raising vital funds to help the charity to go even further in supporting those in need.

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or more than 35 years, we have been helping adults with care and support needs – and their carers – to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Our high-quality, person-centred services and accommodation support adults of all ages, with a diverse range of needs, including;mental health conditions, learning disabilities, dementia and older people with age-related concerns.

Over the last twelve months we have supported 18% more people than we did the year before, with 15,637 people across the country accessing our services.

We work closely with the people we support, their families and carers, our members and a range of partner organisations, to ensure we

continuously deliver services that meet their needs. We provide services in the heart of local communities, in the comfort of people’s own homes, and specialist care and support services.

We believe that everyone should be supported to live their lives in the best possible way and reach their full potential. By remembering us in your Will, you’ll be making a world of difference to the people we support nationwide.

If you have any questions, or just fancy a chat about the work we do, please get in touch with our team on 01925 581729.

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Helen Walker Chief Executive, Carers UK

The holiday season is fast approaching, and for unpaid carers looking after a loved one who is older, disabled or seriously ill, this busy time of year requires extensive forward planning, expert coordination of friends and family and adapting normal, daily routines around festivities – as well an extra dose of patience.

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Looking after yourself: five top tips for carers

Gift your talent and creativity by volunteering Volunteering can be a great way to stay active and connected with your community, but volunteers are not only able to offer support; they can also lead, manage, direct and show the way.

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aring can be a full-time job, which is why it’s important that carers look after their own wellbeing. Research published by the Carers Week charities shows that almost 75% of people in the UK caring (unpaid) for a loved one have suffered mental ill health, such as stress or depression, as a result of caring. Well over half of carers have also seen their physical health worsen.

But there are a number of solutions that can help carers improve their wellbeing: Find out about carers’ rights and support Looking after a loved one can be difficult; trying to navigate the health and social care systems; knowing what financial support is available.

For a free guide outlining all the rights and support available to carers in one place, Carers UK’s, ‘Looking after someone’ guide is a great place to start.

Check out our Thinking Ahead tool: a free online resource that aims to prepare people for the potential costs involved in caring for a loved one to help them plan ahead.

Make the most of technology to increase independence and peace of mind Different types of equipment and technology can help make a home safer, life easier and provide independence for the person being looked after. Everyday technology like mobile apps can take the stress out of tasks like shopping and coordinating care.

Support and understanding from other carers Whether it’s round-the-clock or a few hours a week, caring can feel overwhelming at times, so it’s important to know that you’re not alone.

The Carers UK forum is a supportive online community of current and former carers who understand the ups and downs of caring. Sharing an experience, a problem or just having a good old rant to a fellow carer can make a world of difference.

Eat well As a carer, eating a balanced diet is essential to keep your body strong and give you enough energy to provide the best care for the person you are caring for and yourself. By understanding how to achieve a balanced diet and fit it into your lifestyle, you can stay in good health.

Take a break Caring for someone can take up a lot of personal time and energy, so taking a break is vital to recharge the batteries, meet up with friends or simply catch up on sleep. There are various options to help you find support with your caring duties, or, if you need extra help to be able to take a break together, whether that’s support from friends or family or support services. Search online for our Taking a Break factsheet.

Read more at carersuk.org

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Rebecca Kennelly Director of Volunteering, Royal Voluntary Service

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o volunteer one’s time is perhaps the most generous gift you can give: it is the gift of yourself. But, in recent years, volunteering opportunities have become increasingly structured, with volunteers being asked to support the activity either after it has been completed or in set roles.

We believe volunteers need space to express something of themselves through their volunteering, rather than simply carrying out a prescribed and pre-designed role.

Volunteers want to creatively lead community projects We are seeing an emergence of volunteers who want to be more creative and lead the development of local activities for those in their community, particularly older people. They want to give back, but also want greater control over how that support is exercised.

Many of our volunteers are already leading the way by running activities or groups, or by setting them up from scratch. They are making a huge difference to the lives of thousands of older people each month. We are keen to encourage more of that, whether that’s volunteering with the support of Royal Voluntary Service or another organisation.

More social clubs for older people across the UK A partnership with Prudential is helping us to develop more social clubs and activities for older people across the country – all run by volunteers, for their community.

From social activities and hobby classes to running a lunch club or providing companionship to older people in their home, we are harnessing the get-up-and-go of all people by encouraging them to put their talents and life experience to valuable use by becoming volunteer coordinators.

Yoga, walking football, art and singing clubs Over the last year, we have seen some exciting new groups come to the fore – from yoga in Reading and an art club in Glasgow to walking football in Kent and singing in Falkirk.

Of course, starting a group may seem like a daunting prospect but, with backing and support, people are turning their ideas into reality.

One in five older people eat lunch alone With research finding one in five older people eat most of their meals alone1, one activity we are particularly focused on is lunch clubs. Our volunteers run nearly 80 weekly lunch clubs across Britain, which are a lifeline to older people, who would otherwise be eating alone. The clubs offer a chance to make friends, build a support system and help maintain social connection while enjoying a hot meal.

The volunteers who run the clubs – whether they be the volunteer coordinator, the cook, a kitchen assistant or simply there to chat with diners – provide a vital service and dish up over 50,000 meals each year.

It is a service that, with volunteer support, we hope to bring to even

more villages, towns and cities.

Volunteering is good for you Wanting to make a difference and give something back to the community are common reasons people want to volunteer. Of course, voluntary service is highly rewarding, but there are other benefits too.

Volunteering not only does good, it makes you feel good (and live longer), and our volunteers agree. In a 2017 volunteer experience survey of 1,830 of our volunteers, 73% said volunteering had helped them feel healthier.

Volunteer work is also fun.

You can get to know some of the most interesting people in your neighbourhood, building friendships and enjoying others company.

All things are possible The gift of voluntary service is one anyone can make, and everyone should believe they have the opportunity to give. To make it easier, we have recently opened up our lunch clubs and community centres to the children and grandchildren of volunteers to enable a broader range of people to give support and bring a new richness to those services.

The potential for volunteering to positively impact society is enormous and it is our belief that volunteers can do anything.

Read more at royalvoluntaryservice.org. uk/volunteer

1: THE RESEARCH WAS AN ONLINE SURVEY OF 1,004 RESPONDENTS AGED 70+ WHO WERE SURVEYED BETWEEN 11.10.2018 – 12.10.2018 BY CENSUSWIDE

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My mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s; looking after the carers I employ is important to me For the three million people in the UK who both work and are informal carers, balancing caring responsibilities alongside a job is a daily challenge. Sadly, a lack of adequate support means that one in five carers are forced to stop working altogether.

There are many ways that businesses can provide support to carers, from offering flexible employment policies that help carers manage their responsibilities alongside their work to providing networks for colleagues to come together and share their experiences.

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his is something we have developed in partnership with Carers UK over the past 15 years. We are now working with them to identify what other opportunities there are to support this group who make up a significant proportion of our workforce.

Smart home tech can be very reassuring One area we are increasingly focused

on is how smart home technology can provide the reassurance that helps carers manage both their caring and their working life. This is something that is particularly personal to me, as my mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011 and I class myself as an informal carer.

My mother is fiercely independent, but I worry that sometimes she could put herself in unsafe situations without realising. Simple tasks such as boiling the kettle can have serious consequences due to her difficulties with tremors.

I want my mum to feel independent for as long as is safe Sadly, one of the inevitabilities with this disease means there will come a time when she cannot live independently. However, with the help of smart home technology,

together we are delaying this for as long as possible. For example, I use a number of Hive sensors and plugs around my mother’s home, which, when viewed through the app, allows me to check in anytime to see if my mum is up, had her cup of tea or left the house.

Importantly, it is not a tool to replace in-person care. For me, I still see my mother just as often, and she still has the same care network around her – it just means that I don’t have to worry, knowing that she has returned home safely after a walk in the winter, and she has put on the kettle like normal in the morning.

Carers’ tech helps the whole family feel connected Smart home technology can keep families, friends and loved ones connected more easily, bringing even greater peace of mind for carers

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Claire Miles Managing Director , Centrica Hive

and those they care for and enabling people to live independently in their own homes for longer. That’s why I believe this is an important area for further innovation.

However, progress will be dependent on businesses (like ourselves) prioritising product and service development. I think we are just at the start of the journey to unlock how smart technology can help one of society’s most pressing issues and we look forward to fully exploring the potential it will play in supporting the growing caring community.

Centrica Hive Hive is one of the largest connected home providers in the UK. With the support of parent company Centrica, Hive focuses on making everyday life a little easier, freeing people up to spend time doing the things they love. From connected thermostats to lightbulbs to cameras, the range of Hive products and services are designed to work together, to offer affordable, easy to use solutions and make a difference in people’s lives.

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Taking on the fraudsters Criminals stole over £503 million through fraud and scams in the first six months of this year. Over £145m of this was down to bank transfer frauds (also known as push payment scams), where criminals dupe customers into making a payment to a fraudulent account. It can all happen via a simple phone call, text message or email, but the consequences can be severe.

These banking fraudsters are becoming increasingly professional, frequently using a tactic known as social engineering to manipulate people into divulging their personal or financial details or transferring money.

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typical ploy might be impersonating trusted organisations – such as a bank, the police, a utility company or a government department. The criminal will call, text and email, to try to trick their victim into acting.

Often they will have done their homework first, so can they quote information about their target in a bid to appear genuine.

Cover stories used by banking scammers can vary widely. They might pose as a member of bank staff or a police officer and claim they have spotted fraud and that money needs to be transferred to a ‘safe account’. They might offer tempting deals online for goods that don’t actually exist, email a fake invoice to a business or coldcall with a fraudulent investment opportunity.

Stop and think about the credibility of the call One common thing the fraudsters use is pressure. “Act now or your

money is at risk”. “Invest now to secure a great deal”. “Update your details now or your account will be closed”. It’s all an attempt to panic people into responding. And when people panic, their normal, rational judgement can go out the window.

That’s where the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign comes in. The campaign urges everyone to stop and think whenever they get a call, text or email out of the blue asking for their personal or financial details, or to transfer money.

Even if they say they’re from the bank or the police, it’s still important to take a moment to reflect and step back from the situation. As a nation, we’re all, understandably, trusting. So, it’s important to take control and remember that it’s fine to refuse requests for personal information.

Just hang up the phone, delete the email and don’t reply to the text message.

Banks prevented over £705 million in fraud this year But you aren’t alone – the finance industry takes the threat from fraud and scams extremely seriously.

Banks invest millions in security systems and cyber defences to protect customers – stopping over £705 million in fraud in the first half of this year – and they work closely with the police to disrupt criminals

and freeze stolen money.

New standards have also been introduced to make sure scam victims get the help they need from their payments provider and we are helping the government improve how intelligence is shared. Because, by working together, we can all beat the fraudsters.

Impersonation scam – Bank/Police – total losses £22.2m (January to June 2018) In these scams, the criminal claims to be from either the police or the victim’s bank and convinces the victim to make a payment. Often, the fraudster says there has been fraud spotted on an account and the victim need to transfer money to a ‘safe account’ to protect it.

Impersonation scam – Other – total losses £14.4m (January to June 2018) Here, the criminal usually claims they are from an organisation such as a utility company, a communications service provider or a government department and says the victim must settle a fictitious fine or return an erroneous refund.

Investment scams – total losses £20.9m (January to June 2018) With an enticing claim of high

Katy Worobec Managing Director of Economic Crime, UK Finance

returns, the criminal convinces their victim to send money to a fictitious fund or to pay for a fake investment. These scams include investment in items such as gold, property, carbon credits, land banks and wine.

Purchase scams – total losses £19.4m (January to June 2018) These scams often happen online, through auction websites or social media. Spotting a tempting deal, the victim pays in advance for goods or services that are never received.

It might be a car or a technology product, such as a phone or computer, advertised at a low price to attract buyers. Or it can be a fake holiday rental or concert tickets that don’t exist. While many online platforms offer secure payment options, the criminal persuades their victim to pay via a bank transfer instead.

Romance scams – total losses £5.3m (January to June 2018) In a romance scam, someone is convinced to send money to a person they have met, often online, and with whom they believe they are in a relationship. These relationships are usually built up over a long period of time.

Advance fee scams – total losses £6.0m (January to June 2018) These scams include the criminal convincing someone they have won an overseas lottery, or that gold or jewellery is being held at customs, and a fee must be paid to release the funds or goods.

Invoice and mandate scams – total losses £49.3m (January to June 2018) Here, the victim attempts to pay an invoice to a legitimate payee, but the scammer intervenes to convince them to send the payment to the scammer’s account instead. These scams include criminals targeting consumers posing as conveyancing solicitors, builders and other tradespeople.

CEO fraud – total losses £8.0m (January to June 2018) This type of scam mainly targets businesses and happens when the scammer impersonates a CEO and convinces a company to redirect a payment to the scammer’s account.

Read more at seniorlifenews.co.uk

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Remain vigilant to beat the phone and email scammers Too many people are being tricked into moving their money into fraudsters’ bank accounts by what are known as Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams on the phone and via email.

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esearch by the Nationwide Building Society reveals there is a serious lack of awareness around Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams, which can leave people out of pocket after they move their money into a criminal’s bank account.

Banks and building societies invest heavily in their fraud system, so the scammers are increasingly moving to encouraging victims to move the money themselves, which can see them losing thousands of pounds in a matter of minutes.

Money is moved quickly to make it hard to trace Nationwide’s Senior Fraud Manager, Martin Salter, says it can be extremely difficult to recover the money once someone has been persuaded to transfer funds into a fraudsters’ account. Once the money has reached

a fraudster’s account it is usually moved again within minutes, making it almost impossible to trace.

“A call from someone claiming to be from your bank can be very convincing,” says Salter. “The scammers play on people’s fears or may use psychology to persuade someone they are getting a good deal, such as securing a holiday villa that has miraculously become available, all they have to do is pay now.”

Three of the most common APP scams are: Safe account: Beware if you receive a call from someone claiming to be from your bank and who insists there is a problem with your account and that you should move your money into a so-called ‘safe account’. The fraudster can sound credible and play on their

target’s fears before providing the ‘safe’ account number and sort code.

Invoice scams: Fake or altered invoices from a tradesman or solicitor can seem convincing, especially if you are expecting to pay a bill. A fraudster who has hacked into your email can send an invoice that looks real enough, but which has different bank details.

Impersonation of officials: Fraudsters will pose as the police or other authority figures to con people out of their money. Many people are being duped into withdrawing their savings because they have a sense of civic duty and want to help. For example, scammers can pose as the police investigating allegations that branch staff are engaged in illegal activity and they need your help.

Martin Salter Senior Fraud Manager, Nationwide

Help against banking scams is at hand “Education is key in helping people protect themselves from APP scams,” says Salter. The main things to remember are:

• Do not pay in advance for something you might buy from a stranger, such as a car. You might not receive the goods and you may not be able to recover the money.

• Never move money or give account details or passcodes to a cold caller – whoever they say they are.

• If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

• Fake invoices received by email can be very convincing – check personally using separate contact details before parting with your money.

• Remember the police or the National Crime Agency would never ask someone to use their own money to catch a criminal.

Steve Hemsley

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Make sure you know how much money you’ll have at retirement Planning for later life is vital. Ensuring those entering retirement can do so comfortably is arguably the Pension and Lifetime Savings Association’s (PLSA) raison d'etre. One major contributing factor of recent times to help us achieve our goal has been the introduction of automatic enrolment Nigel Peaple Director of Policy and Research, into workplace pensions.

PLSA

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ince its introduction in 2012, almost 10 million individuals have been automatically enrolled into workplace pensions.

If you add to that over one million employers that have also met their automatic enrolment duties, it paints an extremely positive picture.

The success of automatic enrolment has been a major step forward. However, to fully achieve our goal, we believe more work needs to be done.

How we encourage people to put more in their pensions When we launched our Hitting the Target report in July this year, we laid out the recommendations that we believe will both get people saving more into a pension, and ensure those approaching retirement are supported to make suitable choices.

However, it’s not just about helping people at the point of

retirement. Many will need support throughout their savings journey. One of the key outcomes of the report was to recommend retirement income targets to help savers know what they need to do to achieve the lifestyle they want.

Do you know how much your pension is worth?

We’d like to see these targets incorporated into the planned Pensions Dashboard; a project we have long supported. We believe the dashboard will help savers keep tabs on their pension pots, including their state pension, then, through the implementation of the targets into the dashboard, be helped towards planning their retirements.

But what would these targets look like?

Our research showed that only 23% of those aged 18-64 know how much they will need for retirement.

Add to this that currently there are

no widely accepted benchmarks that savers can use as a guide. It makes it difficult, therefore, to think about the level of retirement income needed in later life to live comfortably. We believe that having a clear goal in mind helps savers plan for the future.

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has found that too and adopted a similar approach to pension target setting.

The retirement standards, which ASFA developed act as a guide to retirees’ financial needs in later life, showcase what would constitute a comfortable, modest and basic retirement plan.

For example, a comfortable retirement may see a saver owning a reasonable car, while a modest retirement may see them own an older or less reliable car and a basic retirement would see them not owning car. We believe a similar setup would work here also.

Mid-life financial health check at 45-years-of-age Employers and the government should work together to develop an ambitious guidance agenda, including a mid-life financial health check at 45-years of age.

This health check – or financial MOT if you like – would allow savers to gain a clear understanding of their current position, and what they are likely to receive as a retirement income, depending on how much they put aside into their pension pots from that point. This should also include a realistic assessment of whether an individual has sufficient property wealth to use to help fund their retirement income if needed.

However, the onus of pension contributions needs to be shared between employers and employees.

12% pension contribution split 50:50 with employer To improve these levels of savings we also propose increasing

contributions to 12% of salary, with a 50:50 employer/employee split. This would be a 4% rise from the 2019 contribution levels of 8%, of which the employee will make up 5% and the employer 3%.

As Hitting the Target highlights, planning for later life does require thought but, for savers, there could be a variety of options available to them.

What’s important now, is there is a continued effort made by the government and the industry – in tandem – to help savers achieve their goals by making the information clear, concise and understandable.

After all, it’s beneficial to everyone for those entering retirement to be able to be financially comfortable and allow them to enjoy their postwork lives.

Read more at seniorlifenews.co.uk

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Volunteer and start something new Volunteering can be a great way to stay active and connected with your community, but volunteers are not only able to offer support; they can also lead, manage, direct and show the way.

Starting a group may seem like a daunting prospect but, with backing and support from Royal Voluntary Service, people are turning their ideas into reality.

To find out more, visit royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk Royal Voluntary Service is a registered charity (1015988 England and Wales, SC038924 Scotland).

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