Page 4 - link magazine

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The Link Magazine • July 1998
Drop in centre for carers now open We're all getting older
Swindon's Focus on Carers and Self Help launched a new drop-in
centre for carers at its centre in Morley Street during National Carers and we should talk about it
Week in June.
by Jo Osorio, Director, Age Concern Swindon
A carer is someone looking after
a partner, relative, friend or neigh- The Debate of the Age is the major campaign co-ordinated by Age
Concern to encourage everyone to think ahead and have a say in our
bour who cannot manage without
help because of sickness, age or country's future.
disability. The drop-in centre gives In 1951 there were 300 people over tions that will confront us in the
carers a place where they can go 100 years old. In 2031 there will be twenty-first century?
for a chat or gain some support. 34,000. When the National Health If you are 17 now, will the shortage
For help, advice, or to find out Service was designed, life expect- of younger workers make your job
more about Focus on Carers, call ancy was around 50 years. The prospects better? Will you have
531133. NHS is now fifty years old itself the freedom to travel as you do
Voluunteer coordinator Magaret and life expectancy is around 80. now? How soon should you be
Davison, assisting Gerald Archer and Soon 50% of the popu- planning for your
Paul Davis at the drop-in centre
lation will be over 50. deb own old age?
That's a tribute to If you are 30 now, will
medicine and im-
ACER CARE SERVICES proved social condi- of the independence be of
(Part of East Wiltshire Health Care NHS mist) tions. It creates great as much value to you
as it is now? Will
Putting age first opportunities for a
CHEERFUL, CARING TEAM healthier old age, but what else your working life be
Adapt Age, aspecialistprogramme longer in the next century? How
WORKERS REQUIRED for small to medium sized busi- does it mean? much should you have to pay to
to support people with nesses employing older workers, West and Noith Swindon have support people who cannot work?
learning disabilities in all aspects is to be launched on 3 July. growing populations of families, If you are 50 now, should it be law
of daily living, both at home This innovative, European children, teenagers - all growing to do what you can to preserve
and in the community. funded project will be managed older by the day. Like most new your health? As you get older do
by Third Age Challenge. It aims to areas, there are fewer older people
Earn from £4.65 - £6.00 per hour. you think you will want more con-
enable both employers and work- than most of the rest of Swindon - tact with people much younger or
To find out more why not meet us ers adapt to change, taking advan- and many of those who are retired much older than you? Will your
at the Job Centre on tage of the positive benefits of an live near each other, sometimes in pension be enough?
Tuesday 21st July older workforce. sheltered housing or groups of
For more information contact the homes. If you are 70 now,
Or call (01793) 586100 to make
Programme Co-ordinator on how long will re-
an appointment But what is life
533370. tirement last?
going to be like What sort of
in 30 or 40 years house do you ex-
time? What do pect to live in as
Prim )se you want it to be Should society
you get older?
like? People
aren't all going
make sure that
&*6 to be moving old people are
away to be re-
placed by more valued more than
Caring people required to work for a younger fami- now? Should the
law give you
high quality home care agency supporting lies. Think of the more control
area you live in
local elderly and disabled people in their own homes. over the way you
now and cast die?
No experience is necessary as full training will be provided. your mind back Jo Osorio
to when you Age Concern's
Good rates of pay. Holiday pay after qualifying period. moved there. Whether it was last Debate of the Age is your say in
week, last year, ten years or more our country's future. In the new
Telephone and transport essential.
ago - think of the changes. millennium Britain will have fewer
Call 616066 for interview West and North Swindon are not young people and more old peo-
always going to be places where ple. The Debate of the Age is an
opportunity to influence how we
mostly younger families live. They will all live in the future.
can't be because of the way our
SWINDON MOBILITY CENTRE population is changing. Think ahead: join the Debate by
FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS Then what happens? In 1995 there calling our Freephone number 0800
ELECTRIC AND MANUAL WHEELCHAIRS, SCOOTERS were less than 9 million in the UK 783 4652 or contact Age Concern
over 65. By 2030 there will be 50% Swindon at 14 Milton Road SN1
* New and used machines - 30 in stock more - almost 14 million. People 5JE. Tel: 692166.
A life and the world of work have Annual General Meeting
* Repairs servicing accessories
Website www.age2000.org.uk
are having fewer children; family
* Stairlifts: new and reconditioned
Age Concern
changed for almost everyone and
* Bath aids and walking aids
life expectancy is increasing.
* Everything for the disabled and elderly
* 24 hour call out Taken together, these develop- Tuesday, 7 July, 70m
HIpe ments will have significant eco- Allied Dunbar Centre,
For emergency service telephone: a machh,0 nomic implications for all of us - Station Road, Swindon
Speaker: Phil Hope,
01367 253642 anytime 10? YOU? whatever our age. Link magazine MP for Corby, member of the
holiday, readers won't escape the changes!
Office hours telephone: 01793 423484 But you can influence them. Public Accounts Committee
Or call in at Unit 21 Axis Business Centre Westmead Refreshments from 6.30pm
What do you think about the ques- All welcome