Hands off universal pensioner benefits

‘Hands Off’ is the clear message coming from older people across the UK, as a new nation‑wide campaign is launched today defending the need for benefits such as the winter fuel payment and bus pass.

The ‘Hands Off’ campaign, which has already been backed by some of the most influential older people’s organisations in the UK, aims to safeguard benefits such as the winter fuel payment, bus pass, free prescriptions and TV licences after the 2015 general election.

Following comments made by the main political parties at Westminster indicating these benefits may be under threat, the campaign will emphasise their importance in achieving a decent standard of living for millions of pensioners across the UK, whilst also highlighting the costs and barriers associated with means-testing such benefits.

People of all ages are encouraged to sign the online e-petition and to email their local MP via the campaign website at www.handsoff.org.uk.

The ‘Hands Off’ campaign is being officially backed by the National Pensioners’ Convention, Age Sector Platform in Northern Ireland, the Welsh Senate of Older People and the Scottish Seniors Alliance.

Dot Gibson from the National Pensioners’ Convention said: 

"The real reason why pensioners need additional benefits such as the winter fuel allowance and the free bus pass is because our state pension is so poor. Yet despite this, every year older people add an extra £40bn to the economy in taxes, volunteering and unpaid caring.  Universal benefits help to keep people active, independent, warm in their homes, healthy and involved in their communities. Removing universal benefits isn’t about saving money or about stopping millionaires from getting a free ride on their local bus – it’s about undermining the welfare state and the principle that services should be available to everyone in retirement. Universal benefits need to be defended not only for today’s pensioners, but for the pensioners of tomorrow as well."

Nixon Armstrong from Age Sector Platform commented:

  

"During the last year, pensioners have felt under constant attack. The myth that older people have escaped any austerity measures is totally groundless, and we will fight to ensure there are no further cuts or means-testing of vital benefits such as the winter fuel payment, bus pass, free prescriptions or TV licences. We call on every individual, regardless of age, to support us in our campaign to ensure these benefits are maintained for pensioners now and in the years to come."

John Vincent from the Welsh Senate of Older People commented:

"We are very conscious of the unfair allegations that pensioners are not touched by austerity measures.  We obviously are affected in many ways. People who make these allegations seem to conveniently forget that many of today's pensioners experienced real hardship during the war years and all of us can remember the austerity of the post-war period. Pensioners are tired of feeling like a burden on society; we make a huge contribution and that surely should be recognised?"

Agnes McGroarty from the Scottish Seniors Alliance said:

"All of the main political parties at Westminster have indicated that universal pensioner benefits may be under threat following the next general election, so we must make our voice heard now. Millionaire pensioners have been used as justification for further cuts or means-testing, but this campaign represents the views of real pensioners who are already struggling to make ends meet."

For more information on the campaign, visit www.handsoff.org.uk

To sign the petition visit www.handsoff.org.uk/e-petition



Upper age limit for jurors is set to rise to 75

The upper age limit for jurors is set to rise to 75 from next year to reflect how “active” older people are and to ensure the changing face of Britain is included in the justice system. The limit, which has been set at 70 since 1988, will be changed next year as part of plans announced by the Ministry of Justice.

The proposal comes in a drive by the Ministry to make the criminal justice system more inclusive and to accurately reflect modern society.

Damian Green, Justice Minister, said:

“It is absolutely right that older people play their part in making justice happen. The current limit doesn’t reflect how active older people are – the proportion of employed 64-69 year olds has doubled since 1992. I look forward to seeing jurors aged up to 75 in our courts shortly, as this will make the justice system more flexible and efficient.”

Each year about 178,000 people in England and Wales undertake jury service a number which is expected to rise by two million, with up to 6,000 over-70s expected to be called up every year. With the number of people aged 65 plus projected to grow by nearly 50 per cent in the next 20 years – to over 16 million – the move has been greeted well.

Jane Ashcroft, Chief Executive of older people's charity Anchor, agreed with the measure and dubbed the views of older people “invaluable”

She said: "I welcome this move by the MOJ to increase the upper age limit for jurors. Older people have already contributed a great deal to society and their experiences and views are invaluable, which is why at Anchor more than 300 of our workforce is aged over the traditional retirement age. I'm pleased that more older people will now be able to share their wisdom and participate in the criminal justice system."

Michelle Mitchell of Age UK said: “Judging someone on the basis of their date of birth alone risks overlooking a person’s unique skills and knowledge. While it's true that increasing longevity brings its challenges, there is also extraordinary human capital within our older population – older people are working, volunteering and contributing a huge amount to communities and the wider marketplace. We welcome all ways of including older people into the different aspects of society including eligibility to sit on a jury."

The maximum age limit for jurors was set at 65 by the 1974 Juries Act, this was then increased to 69 by the 1998 Criminal Justice Act - meaning anyone can be called until their 70th birthday. Every year, about 178,000 people serve on juries in England and Wales having been selected at random from the electoral register. The service usually lasts two weeks but can take much longer for complex or lengthy criminal trials. Anyone who fails to turn up can be fined up to £1,000.

The move, which requires primary legislation, is expected to come into force next year.

Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales

Age Concern Morgannwg were the subject of an unannounced focused inspection between 11th March & 28th March and the report from that inspection has now been published by the Care & Social Services Inspectorate Wales. We are particularly delighted with the outcome of this report given that we are currently in the process of developing our domiciliary care services.

Summary

About the service

Age Concern Morgannwg, registered since August 2009 to provide domiciliary care, provides a range of services in a home environment,particularly of a short term nature. These have included, since the last inspection, providing short term care for those released from hospital.

What type of inspection was carried out?

This unannounced focused inspection considered the quality of life theme and the experience of people using the service. Information for this report was gathered from the self assessment of service documentation, sight of three care files, sight of two staff files, a sample of other documentation, discussion with service user's families, the quality assurance report and a discussion with the registered manager.

What does the service do well?

A thorough assessment of needs is undertaken prior to the service user's discharge from hospital which includes a hospital and home visit. Service user's families and professionals praise the service for being prompt, professional and caring.

What has improved since the last inspection?

Support plans are person centred and enable service users and families to be involved in care planning.

What needs to be done to improve the service?

The service is in ‘transition’ currently, and continues to strive to maintain high quality service provision. They have recently begun providing domiciliary care services for a local authority and there is a need to ensure staff are able to deliver the service required. Staff files need to meet recruitment procedures so should include DBS (CRB) information and any gaps in employment history.

QUALITY OF LIFE

Overall people have a good quality of life, where a thorough assessment of needs is
undertaken and where the service received is prompt, professional and caring.
People are able to exercise their rights, have a voice and are encouraged to speak up,
are listened to and are treated with dignity and respect.

Families, Health and Social care Managers, service users and families are able to be
involved. Needs and preferences are known and reflected in the care given. Care files
were viewed and evidenced person centred planning where specific requests from
families and service users,for certain elements of the care were included. Service user's
families were very pleased with the service provided. One commented: ‘… they do what
my husband needs’. She added that when someone came to find out about the service
required, they spent a long time assessing the needs. The co-ordinator of the outreach
team ensures that the service user is seen within the context of the environment and
asks for input from the service users and family. A stake holder commented that staff
were:‘very courteous and professional and understanding of my concerns for the
service user’.

People using the service experience well-being, feel their diverse needs are catered for
and the service is prompt and diligent in delivery and people are able to be involved in
the review process.

The agency provide a personalised service based on the needs identified in the
assessment process. Furthermore, support plan review procedures are in place to
ensure the service delivered meets ongoing needs. Care files examined indicated that
reviews are conducted and continue to involve the service user and family in the
process. The support plans indicate that they take account of any needs particular to the
individual. A service user's family spoken with said that the needs of her relative were
taken into account. Dependent upon the nature of the service provided, service users
are encouraged to be as independent as possible. We (CSSIW) were informed their staff
support service users and families to access community activities or day centres, helping
them to reduce social isolation.

The physical well-being of service users is being maintained and they have access to
health professionals if required and appropriate.

Particularly for the hospital discharge scheme, service users are supported and
encouraged to look after themselves and exercise control over their own care. Care files
indicated that service users have contact with appropriate health professionals and
service users relative felt that they were helped as much as they required. In all three
care files viewed, the service didn’t include administration of medication as this was not
applicable. Training for staff should be appropriate to the needs of service users and the
agency should monitor and audit staff training dependent upon these needs. Evidence
indicated that the agency liaise with hospital medical staff and agencies such as ‘meals
on wheels’,in order to ensure a ‘safe’ discharge from hospital and that appropriate
facilities are in place on the service users discharge.

People are supported because their needs are anticipated;they experience warmth and
feel recognised by others. Person centred planning and a thorough assessment of needs try to ensure that,within their home environment, service users and their relatives feel supported and recognised by others. Domiciliary services, we were informed, include support with shopping,
access to advocates, liaising with health and social care professionals and helping people be able to talk to support staff. Comments from professionals include: ‘I have been very impressed with the service given to my client’ ‘efficient staff and very prompt response’
In a quality assurance questionnaire to professionals (referrers) 9 out of 9 responded
positively when asked if they were happy with the service delivery and respectful of the
needs of the service users.

In addition to providing direct care and emotional support to all service users, the agency
offer,to every referred service user,a benefit check to maximise their income.

The wife of a service user commented that ‘the service is excellent, they cater for my husbands
needs, the carers are very, very helpful and supportive and I have no complaints at all’.

The importance of "healthy" life expectancy



Increasing life expectancy has been one of the wonders of the last century or so.

Throughout the 1800s it hovered around the 40 years of age mark in the UK, but since the start of the 21st Century it has almost doubled. This can be put down to a number of factors including improved health care, sanitation, immunisations, access to clean running water and better nutrition.

It means about a third of babies born today can expect to celebrate their 100th birthday.

But are we thinking about the issue in the right way?

Ministers have responded to the challenge of the ageing population by increasing the age at which people qualify for the state pension to 68 in future years. This has been done to maintain the ratio of working-age adults to pensioners.

At the moment there are 3.7 20 to 64-year-olds for every person over 65. If the current trend in life expectancy continues, by 2050 it will be down to 2 to 1. It will come as no surprise that increasing working lives to 68 almost completely counteracts this.

But it is not quite as simple as that.

People can only work if they remain in good health - and currently the average "healthy life expectancy" is 63.5 years of age, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The problem is that a rise in life expectancy does not automatically lead to a similar rise in years spent in reasonable health. Over the last 20 years the gap has been getting wider. Life expectancy has risen by 4.6%, but healthy life by only 3%.


So what can be done about it?

Summer Romance on the rise for 50 + group!

• 1 in 10 mature holidaymakers have had a holiday romance since turning 50
• Sizeable minority planning holidays with love in mind
• But 61% wouldn’t mention a holiday liaison to other

Romance is in the air as the summer holiday season gets underway, with research from specialist over 50s insurer Staysure revealing a new trend emerging among the more mature holidaymakers who are using their travel plans to look for love.

While holiday romances may have traditionally been seen as the preserve of the young and reckless, data released today found a fifth of people aged over 50 say they’re actually more likely to have a holiday romance now than when they were younger, with one in ten admitting to having had a holiday romance since turning 50. A sizeable minority even admit they’ve planned a holiday with a single friend with the specific intention of trying to find love while away.

Alongside this new trend for romantic getaways, there’s a distinct air of discretion emerging, with few over 50s keen to shout about their escapades. Half of those questioned felt a holiday romance was just harmless fun, but 61% said they wouldn’t mention it to anybody else, with a quarter saying they’d be too embarrassed to discuss it. One reason for this reticence may be their less than favourable prospects for the relationship to become long-term. While half of mature holidaymakers said the relationships continued after they had returned home, the vast majority put the maximum length as only a few weeks.

It seems getting out of the UK is the best recipe to romantic success: over 60% of over 50s travellers had their holiday relationships overseas, although ironically their most popular choice of partner (41%) was another UK holidaymaker, with only a quarter of those questioned having had a fling with a local resident. Of those who felt it was easier to meet somebody on holiday than at home, 85% said a lack of inhibitions on holiday was the most likely reason.

Ryan Howsam, Chief Executive at Staysure, commented: “The conversations we have with our customers on a daily basis tell us that the ‘coach trips to the south coast’ stereotype of over 50s holidays is long gone. As well as engaging in more daring activities like bungee jumping, scuba diving and trekking, our new research finds romance is increasingly on the cards for these adventurous holidaymakers.

As ever we want people to enjoy and have fun on their holiday, but recommend that all holidaymakers err on the side of caution and take extra care when meeting new people and spending time with them. Their own personal safety should be the number one priority. Before going they need to be properly insured, declaring all medical conditions to their insurer at the time of taking out the policy.”

Not all holiday romances are doomed however. While many relationships may end a few weeks after returning home, nearly a quarter of the over 50s questioned said they knew somebody who had met their husband or wife on holiday.

Older people feel stereotyped

 

A pioneering three-year research project, involving older people themselves, Shaping our Age, whose report is published today, has found that older people have a great deal to contribute to the debate around well-being and services for older people and yet 71 per cent say that they are rarely or never consulted on services that impact their life.

Shaping our Age, supported by the Big Lottery Fund, is a joint project between the Centre for Citizen Participation at Brunel University, the Centre for Social Action at De Montfort University and older people’s charity the Royal Voluntary Service [RVS](formerly WRVS). The research challenges the common perceptions of ageing and seeks to question the portrayal of older people and the assumptions that those providing services for them often make.

To coincide with today's launch, Shaping our Age commissioned new quantitative research amongst over 65s which is also being published. This highlights older people's own concerns about their position in society; 61 per cent of over 65s think that society sees them as a burden and the majority (57 per cent) think that the media encourages the idea that older people are a problem for society. Two-thirds of older people (66 per cent) feel that they are stereotyped and, worryingly, well over half (56 per cent) think that older people are ignored. Despite the views of others, the vast majority (62 per cent) of over 65s do not feel as old as they are and two-thirds (61 per cent) don't see age as important.

Shaping our Age illustrates the huge contribution that older people have to make to the debate around their own well-being and how best to provide services and support for older people and yet only a third (33 per cent) of older people feel that the contribution that older people make to society is recognised. The report shows that traditional services for older people, whilst addressing important practical needs, can also encourage passivity and dependence. Many of these services do things "for" older people rather than working alongside them, involving older people and responding to what they themselves would like.  Older people reported being patronised or not sufficiently involved or valued. These findings are echoed by the survey results which found that although a majority of over 65s (57 per cent) do not use services specifically for older people; for those that do, one in ten feel that the services provided are not really what they want nor are they interesting or stimulating enough. Sixteen per cent say that the services are the stereotypical ones that people think older people would like.

David McCullough, Royal Voluntary Service Chief Executive, said:

"The fact that, as a society, we are living longer is a wonderful thing but the challenges that this brings with it has led to older people being seen as a burden. This report lays out what many of us already know: that older people have a huge amount to give back to society and we should harness that expertise and enthusiasm to make services better for older people by involving them more in decision making. Shaping our Age is an exciting and innovative research project which should act as a wake-up call for those of us providing services for older people.”

Professor Peter Beresford OBE, Director, Centre for Citizen Participation, Brunel University, said: "The biggest issue older people see as needed for improving their well-being is more social contact and they want to play a bigger part in changing things for the better. Services for older people have to shift from a paternalistic ‘doing-to’ model to the ‘involvement-led’ approach older people value. What’s needed now are the twenty-first century equivalent of the old ‘Darby and Joan’ clubs, not just more of the same”.

Jennie Fleming, Reader in Participatory Research and Social Action, Centre for Social Action, De Montfort University, said: “Shaping our Age clearly demonstrates the need to involve older people more in both the debate around their own well-being, but also the actual services that they use. Participation in activities makes a massive difference to an older person’s sense of well-being and that in turn can have a positive effect on loneliness, which we know has a knock on impact on mental and physical health.”

Shaping our Age defines what constitutes well-being for older people by consulting with the project's participants. Key factors which determine well-being were found to be good mental and physical health; achieving and accomplishing in life; and leading an independent life.

Keeping fit and active and being involved with other people were also seen as important. Relationships and social contacts with friends and family are essential and participating in groups and clubs, as well as volunteering, were cited as important. Through a national consultation with older people, as well as five local projects carried out as part of Shaping our Age, the report suggests a future model for services for older people which would involve older people themselves in helping develop the kind of services and activities that will contribute most to their well-being. Key factors include starting with the older people and using their expertise and knowledge, having small groups for activities and actually doing what older people want to do rather than dictating what they should do.

Royal Voluntary Service  supports over 100,000 older people each month to stay independent in their own homes for longer with tailor made solutions. Through its army of 40,000 volunteers, the charity runs services such as Good Neighbours, Meals-on-Wheels and Books-on-Wheels that alleviate loneliness and help older people. Royal Voluntary Service also provides practical support for older people who have been in hospital through its On Ward Befriending and Home from Hospital services.

Frontline services cuts: Concern for older people

More than 90 per cent of social workers worry that life will become more difficult for older people who need social care as frontline cuts start to bite according to an Age UK/College of Social Work survey. Seven out of 10 respondents said cuts in frontline services are leaving older people more isolated and with a reduced quality of life. 80% reported the spending cuts were resulting in families unable to cope with the additional strain of caring responsibilities. 

In the joint survey of more than 300 adult care social workers by Age UK and The College of Social Work, 94 per cent said they have witnessed a squeeze on budgets for care services for older people over the last three years. And the cuts have not all been absorbed by efficiencies with 85 per cent of respondents saying frontline services had been affected by the cuts. There was a wide consensus from social workers (81%) that they are seeing negative impacts of cuts in social care spending for example reporting seeing families unable to cope with caring responsibilities.

Social workers also report seeing older people ending up in hospital more frequently (63%), older people becoming more isolated (71%) and having a reduced quality of life (72%). Where local authorities have frozen or reduced spending on adult care services in the last three years, the vast majority of social workers who responded to the survey (93.5 %) said they now see older people who would have qualified for care three years ago now not receiving it, with 79 per cent of respondents saying older people whose needs have not changed get less help now than they would have done in 2010. 

The survey also showed that Fair Access to Care Services criteria – in which older people’s care needs are assessed as low, moderate, substantial or critical – are being used by local authorities to reduce care spending with one in five respondents saying that they were under pressure to minimise levels of need of older people so putting them under the eligibility threshold. However, 26 per cent of social workers also said that they now exaggerated older people’s disabilities to ensure that they qualified for local authority support. Over a third (36%) of respondents said the threshold for eligibility for state-funded care at the local authority where they work is now higher than it was three years ago.

Bernard Walker, Chair of The College of Social Work Adults Faculty said:

“Social workers are doing as much as they can to secure essential care and support services necessary to enable older people to live with dignity and in comfort in their own homes and communities. But they are alerting us to many incidents where even the very basic levels of care are either no longer available to many people or are being withdrawn altogether. As well as causing unnecessary suffering to many frail and lonely older people this situation is causing their care needs to escalate more quickly, increasing the burden on higher cost care services provided by the NHS. The College wholly supports the business case for investing in adult social care as it is the most cost effective model for ensuring society can afford to look after its ageing population with dignity and respect.”

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director General of Age UK said: “This survey is yet more evidence that the social care system is failing increasing numbers of older people. Inadequate social care  leaves older people living miserable, isolated existences, their carers unable to cope and all too often results in unnecessary and distressing hospital stays. Only by ensuring sustainable and adequate funding for a system that covers all those with at least moderate care needs can the Government begin to fulfil its vision of making Britain the best place to grow old in Europe.”

Elderly care homes: Wales quality review by commissioner

Older people in care homes are to be asked about the quality of care they receive in a new review. Sarah Rochira, the older people's commissioner for Wales, says she will use her legal powers to carry out the study.

It will involve speaking to older people, their families and carers to ensure more consistency of services. The Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales has welcomed the move.

"Since I took up post, I have spoken extensively about the need to ensure that older people living in care homes in Wales are safe, well cared for and have a good quality of life," Ms Rochira said. "I have visited many care homes and have seen for myself much good practice across Wales, but I have spoken many times about my concerns that this is not consistent and that we are not getting it right for everyone. We must remember that a person's home is so much more than bricks and mortar, it is where you should feel and be safe, well cared for and happy."

Ms Rochira and her team will gather evidence from older people in care homes, their families and carers, as well as from local authorities, local health boards, care home providers, regulators and inspectors. The evidence will be used both to highlight the best care in Wales and to make recommendations to ensure that the rights of older people are upheld and they have the best possible quality of life.

"It's not enough just to be safe and well cared for," Ms Rochira told BBC Radio Wales. "This is the place that people call home and they have a right to a really good quality of life. I don't think we yet understand what that means - that's why I'm going to give voice back to older people through my review. When I talk to older people - they talk to me about words such as friendship, hope, love, staying in touch with people, feeling valued, feeling respected - words of real description and warmth, and of course they would in the places they call home. But actually the response of our system tends to be national minimum standards and the two just don't fit together. I want to give older people back their voice and put their voices back at the heart of the place that they call home."

Last year Ms Rochira warned that public bodies could face legal action if they fail older people when she published the commission's work programme to improve services to older people in 50 areas. The new review, which will begin in September, has been welcomed by Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales.

Its chief inspector Imelda Richardson said: "Making sure that homes are safe and that people's experiences are good is at the core of our inspection work, and I look forward to working with the older people's commissioner. In the last two years we have transformed the way we inspect services. As well as checking that they are run in accordance with the law, we also focus and report on the quality of experiences for people using services. Our inspectors spend more time listening and speaking to people about their experiences of the service and support they are receiving. This allows us to get a more accurate picture of a service."



New research from MGM Advantage, the retirement income specialist, shows the UK’s retirement nation collectively manages mortgage and personal debt to the tune of £105.5bn. 13% of retirees are managing mortgage debts totalling £76bn, while 34% of retired people are managing loans, overdrafts and credit card debts worth a cumulative £29.5bn.

- Over four million retirees (or 34% of retirees) each have an average of £6,952 personal debt

- One in eight retirees (13%) continue to pay off a mortgage in retirement, collectively worth £76bn (average of £47,458 per person)

- 10% of people in retirement each manage a personal debt worth over £5,000

- 6% of retirees aged 55 and over work part-time to supplement their income

Andrew Tully, pensions technical director, MGM Advantage said: “These figures are alarming and show the pressure people face on a daily basis trying to balance the household budget. Although many people consider themselves retired they are continuing to pay off their mortgage, some with quite substantial balances. Dig a little deeper and many people are working part time, sometimes through choice but often simply to make ends meet.” 

Tully concluded: “Talking about debt in retirement will be a taboo for many people who find themselves in this position. But there are ways retirees can access practical help and advice.”

MGM Advantage has published a checklist of things for people to consider when making important decisions at retirement:

1. Claim all state benefits to which you are entitled, to check, go to www.gov.uk/benefits-adviser suggests that pensioners are missing out on up to £5 billion a year in unclaimed pension credit, housing and council tax benefits, as well as attendance and disability living allowances

2. Keep a track on any old personal or occupational pension arrangements. If you think you might have lost track of an old pension arrangement, you can check via the Department for Work and Pensions tracing service here www.gov.uk/find-lost-pension

3. You can check if you have any old savings accounts which you might have lost touch with over the years by going to www.unclaimedassets.co.uk

4. Don’t just accept the annuity rate offered by your pension provider. You should shop around for the best rate and you might qualify for an enhanced rate because of lifestyle and/or pre-existing medical conditions

5. Seek professional financial advice as this will help you get the best product and rate for your individual circumstances. To find an independent adviser go to www.unbiased.co.uk

6. You may have old National Savings accounts or Premium Bonds. To check for unclaimed prizes please go to www.mylostaccount.org.uk or contact NS&I here www.nsandi.com for further information.

Seven in ten retirees (70%) own their own homes outright with no mortgage, while 16% live in rented accommodation.

 2% of retirees live with family or in other types of accommodation, while 13% own their property with a mortgage.

Nearly two in three retirees over the age of 55 have no personal debts (66%). 34% of retirees have some personal debt, with 70% of those people managing debts of £5,000 or less.

Asset Rich - Cash Poor?



Bournemouth University research finds ‘Asset rich, cash poor’ pensioners sacrificing social activities because of fear of debt and may be more vulnerable to exploitation. The economic downturn is having a marked impact on the wellbeing of ‘asset rich, cash poor’ older people, Bournemouth University (BU) researchers have found.

The study looked at the financial challenges facing retired older people, who are often considered to be asset rich but cash poor – owning property but not receiving a large monthly income. As well as the economic downturn affecting their social, mental and physical wellbeing, researchers found that the income many older people expected when planning for retirement had not come to fruition, and they felt poor in relation to their previous lifestyle and expectations. 

Lead researcher Dr Sarah Hean, Associate Professor in Health, Wellbeing and Ageing at BU, said: “It’s really frightening. They have done everything right – saved, got pensions, taken out policies and ISAs and put money into property. But the return on investments at the moment is nothing – there is no interest on savings, and they can’t sell their houses. They are just in a terrible place.”

Academics from BU’s School of Health and Social Care and Business School studied the experiences of retired home-owners from across Dorset, who were over the age of 65 and were not in receipt of a means-tested state pension. They also conducted focus groups with service providers for older people – including health and social care professionals, financial advisors and professionals from the not-for-profit sector. The research found that older people tended to manage their money carefully, and had an aversion to debt.

But this meant they were sacrificing non-essential activities like holidays, hobbies, and socialising, and worried about unexpected and potentially costly events, like large heating bills and repairs to their homes. Many interviewees spoke of worry and stress about their financial situation, and the fear of debt and future ability to cope financially. The study also found that, in order to make ends meet, older people may take greater financial risks or be more vulnerable to abuse.

“There was concern about how vulnerable older people are to exploitation, and they talked a lot about how the economic downturn was stopping people going out, exacerbating their isolation,” said Dr Hean. “The austerity cuts could have a real impact on services relied on by older people for their social and physical wellbeing - there was one woman who kept going to the library because it was warm and it saved her on heating bills.”

The researchers conducted interviews with 28 older people from both rural areas and urban conurbations within Dorset, and held focus groups with 20 service providers. They found that older people preferred to go to friends, charities and the media for financial advice, rather than professionals – suggesting a need for more appropriate financial information and support for older people. “Trust is huge for older people, and a lot of them don’t really trust financial advisers,” Dr Hean said. “We would like to see greater communication and collaboration between charities, health and social care services and providers from the financial advice sector. Perhaps charities and trusted sources could direct queries to financial services that they had vetted.”

She added: “We have also got to target young people and people mid-career who can still do something about it, as well as those who are about to retire. They need information about how to budget, how to invest and how to make money work for them.” 

The research was published by the Research Committee of The Institute for Chartered Accountants, and was funded by the Scottish Accountancy Trust for Education and Research (SATER) and the BU Foundation.

Stroke 'emotional impact often overlooked'

The emotional impact of a stroke is too often overlooked and should be given the same priority as physical rehabilitation, campaigners say.

A survey of more than 2,700 survivors and their carers in the UK found many had experienced emotional suffering.

More than half of the stroke survivors surveyed said they had felt depressed and two-thirds reported anxiety.

But 42% told the Stroke Association they felt they had been abandoned after their physical needs had been seen to.

Of the carers who took part in the poll, eight in 10 had experienced anxiety and frustration.
Strokes affect about 152,000 people in the UK every year. The brain damage caused by the condition means it is the largest cause of adult disability in the UK.

There are now more than a million stroke survivors in the UK - a figure set to rise because of the ageing population.

Stroke Association chief executive Jon Barrick said: "Stroke leaves survivors and families shocked, shaken and anxious as their lives are often irreversibly changed in an instant.
"Better recognition by health and social care professionals of the impact of stroke will help people to be properly assessed and get the right support."

New screening programme urges men to know their size! Men aged 65 and over will soon be invited to take part in a new screening programme The Wales Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening programme will offer men a quick, painless one-off check for a condition that can be life threatening if left undetected. The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the body. Sometimes the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak and stretch to form an aneurysm. When this happens there is a risk that the aorta may split or tear (rupture). An AAA can happen to anyone but is most common in men aged 65 and over who smoke, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a history of AAA in the family AAA rarely has symptoms and if an aneurysm ruptures, it can cause serious internal bleeding. It is estimated that 80 per cent of people who suffer a ruptured AAA will die, usually before reaching hospital. Sixty five year-old men living in Wales and registered with a GP practice will be sent a letter inviting them to attend an appointment for a simple ultrasound scan of the abdominal aorta to check whether an AAA is present. Men who do not have an AAA will not need to be screened again. If an AAA is present, it could be small, medium or large. Men with small or medium aneurysms will be invited for further scans to check on the growth of their AAA. Men found to have a large AAA will be referred to their local hospital to discuss treatment to repair it. Llywela Wilson, Head of the Wales Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme, said: “We would encourage all men who receive an appointment for AAA screening to take up the offer for this quick, free and very important check of their health. “Most men with a large AAA will know nothing about it until it ruptures, and their chances of surviving will sadly be very poor.” More information on AAA screening is available from the programme website at www.aaascreening.wales. nhs.uk

So, we are all being encouraged to excercise but BBC presenter Andrew Marr blames his recent stroke on overworking and an overly vigorous exercise session on a rowing machine.  The 53-year-old said he had, to his detriment, believed the newspapers... that we must take very, very intensive exercise in short bursts for good health.

So should we now leave high-intensity training to only the youngest and fittest people? People of all ages can have a stroke, although they occur most commonly in people who are older. More than 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke each year and a quarter of them are under 65. Most of the time there will be underlying health problems like having high blood pressure. And there are simple lifestyle changes that you can make to reduce your risk of stroke. These include keeping fit by doing regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, refraining from smoking and making sure you don't drink too much alcohol.

Doctors say that regular exercise can halve your risk of stroke. About 30 minutes of activity five days a week is enough. And you do not have to do it all in one go - it is just as effective to exercise a few times a day in 10, 15 or 20-minute sessions. But in terms of intensity, erring on the side of caution might be best.

Advocates of high-intensity interval training say doing a few short bursts of exercise each week - four 30-second sprints on an exercise bike, for example - is a good way to keep fit. The idea is that pushing your body to its limit gives you a better workout. And, like any new exercise regime, if you have a pre-existing medical condition you should consult your doctor before trying it.

The Stroke Association also advise caution. They say it is important to find a balance between how hard the exercise is, how long you exercise for and how often you exercise. You will benefit more from doing regular gentle exercise for a good length of time, than exercising very vigorously for a short length of time or infrequently, they say.

Nikki Hill, director of communications, said: "Regular exercise is an important factor in stroke prevention and recovery. "We have heard anecdotally that some activities like vigorous exercise can sometimes cause blood vessels to burst. "We need more research on the underlying factors that might make that happen. We do know that high blood pressure itself is the single biggest cause of stroke, until more research is done on specific triggers we'd suggest getting your blood pressure checked and taking steps to keep it under control, exercise can help with that."

There can be warning signs that a stroke is likely. Andrew Marr says he had two minor strokes in the year before his major one, but had not noticed.

Many strokes are preceded by mini ones called transient ischaemic attacks or TIAs. These may be silent or cause only a few of the symptoms that come with a full-blown stroke - such as face or arm weakness and speech problems - and last just a few minutes, making them easy to miss. A TIA is a sign that part of your brain is not getting enough blood and you are at risk of having a stroke in the future.

Each year about 46,000 people in the UK have their first TIA. There is no way of telling whether you are having a TIA or a stroke when the symptoms first start. If you think you or someone you know is having a TIA, it is a medical emergency so call 999

The standard of care provided for people with dementia is "patchy", the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has said. Some people with the condition were not getting even basic levels of care, it added.

The warning came as NICE unveiled new standards for dementia care in England, covering issues such as housing and access to leisure services. Care services were playing "catch-up" on dementia, it said.

The guidance is the first to be produced by NICE under its new extended remit.

To date, the organisation has focused on issuing recommendations about NHS treatments and encouraging healthy lifestyles. But under the shake-up of the NHS, it now has responsibility for providing guidance on care and support provided by the likes of councils and care homes. NICE's dementia guidance includes 10 standards it wants the care sector to follow. One calls for people with dementia to live in housing that meets their needs, while another says they should be given the support they need to access leisure activities. Others focus on keeping patients involved in community life and ensuring they get access to services such as dentists and opticians.

NICE deputy chief executive Prof Gillian Leng said: "The general picture is that care is patchy.  "We know that it is really good in places but it's not consistent. My personal view is that we are all playing catch-up because the number of people with dementia has been increasing so dramatically."

Currently about 670,000 people in England are living with dementia but one in three over the age of 65 are expected to develop the condition.

George McNamara, of the Alzheimer's Society, said people with the condition were being denied the quality of life they deserved. "These standards will be a useful tool for the care sector and show what people with dementia and carers should be able to expect," he said.  "But, as they are not mandatory, it's a case of 'wait and see' as to whether this guidance will drive real change or just sit on the shelf."

COMMUNITY COMPANIONS PROJECT

To be held on the first Friday of every month from Friday 5th April 2013 11am until 2pm at Evanstown Community Centre Abercerdin Road Evanstown Gilfach Goch

Age Concern Morgannwg is launching an exciting new project in partnership with Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO) and funded by the Big Lottery Fund to provide a meeting place for social networking, befriending, support and light refreshments.

The project will also provide information and advice for over 50’s along with a variety of information sessions, demonstrations and activities, which include:

·        Volunteering opportunities

·        Nail manicures

·        Arts & crafts

·        Nail Cutting

·        Age Concern Morgannwg products & services

·        Quiz

For more information please contact: 01656 669288