Page 30 - link magazine

30 The Link Magazine • December 2002
Grey power takes over
• Free Quotation
In October the initial figures from the 2001 Census showed that for
the first time ever there are more over 65s than under 16s in the UK.
• Domestic & As Age Concern Swindon's fiftieth year draws to a close, director
Commercial Systems Jo Osorio asks: we're all getting older, but will it be better?
TEC Born today you can expect to live ing 'that little bit of help' to con-
Gem • RedCARE at least 75 years if you're a boy tinue living independent lives in
their own homes.
and 80 if you're a girl. What an
Security Systems Ltd. • 24 hour monitoring achievement — provided those And we believe that it is the
years are quality years. right of older people, as full and
Almost weekly we hear of an- equal citizens, to be able to influ-
Telephone: 01793 512891 other person in Swindon reaching ence all the things that affect them
100 years old. But what of the and to be recognised for the contri-
RT Unit 35 Pembroke Centre, Cheney Manor Ind. Est.
C figures across the country? In 1996 bution they can and do make to
S ^J AIB g,'^^RMS
Swindon. E-mail: [email protected] there were 5,523 people of 100 and society. Whether that's at the MPs'
Ronan
www.gemtec.co.uk over in England and Wales. By surgery, at a meeting of the local
UTRO% t:U INSTALLER
2036 as Swindon's current 30 year Area Panel with ward councillors
vision reaches its climax, this will or at the ballot box next 1 May.
increase to 39,000. Yet although And since older people are more
we're living longer, we're not nec- likely to vote than most others,
Kitchen design & installation
essarily enjoying more years of their influence can be consider-
• Computer aided design good health. It's a challenge for all able.
WIIIII
7*6 ^i ♦ Granite specialist of us to keep life-
-n
t
nnn•^• nn^"' ^^^ ♦ Supplies of leading brands of styles healthier
n
n nn n n appliances and quality tiles and be active as
long as we possi-
• Free quotation and planning bly can.
service - no obligation
At Age Con-
• All work guaranteed cern Swindon we C'
1 • All work undertaken by weren't atallsur-
quality installers prisedbythecen-
Showroom at .. . sus to see how ''
33-34 Newport Street, 'install dramatically the
Old Town, Swindon UK is ageing. An
Tel/Fax: 01793 490036 \ITC HEN DESIGN CTT D ageing society
presents enor- Age Concern Swindon trustee Kaye Franklin and Jo
e-mail: install.kitchen^a Iinvonline.co.uk
mousopportuni- Osorio presented a cheque for £200 to Chris Rickards,
ties as well as secretary of the Swindon Breathe Easy Group which was
challenges. It launched in June at the Haydon Centre.
will only be a eni- The Breathe Easy Group is part of the British Lung
KINGFISHER sis if we don't Foundation. Aro and 45 people with lung disorders and
deal with the is- breathing difficu Ities, their carers and family members,
sues now and get together for social activities and support in coping
WINDOWS 'DOORS •CGNSFRlAi0NF5 come upwithim- with their condition. Although many currently attend-
aginative and ing the group are older, membership is open to all ages.
flexible ways of The grant will help towards the cost of room hire and
THE CLEAR CHOICE looking at long production of the monthly newsletter.
term care, pen- For details about joining, call Chris Rickards on 637566
sions and the
FOR QUALITY, health system. Finally, the census figures high-
Not many days go by without light the urgency needed to eradi-
VALUE AND SECURITY discussion about raising the 're- cate age discrimination. It is essen-
tial that we make ageism a thing of
tirement' age or controversy over
companies changing their pension the past in employment, learning,
Full Range of PVC-U schemes, worried at the future cost health, social care and in the mar-
and Aluminium Products of providing decent benefits in the ketplace: in fact in every area of
Various Colours and Finishes future. And this month our new life.
• Competitive Finance Options Great Western Hospital opens — You can find out more about
(written details on request)
and we certainly expect to see some Age Concern Swindon's helpful
10 Year Guarantee new ways at GWH of managing services, how to join us as a volun-
Visitors are always welcome patients' treatment and care in teer or be part of our campaigns by
Open 6 days a week ways that were unimaginable be- calling 692166 or writing to 14
Mon to Fri 9.00am - 5.00pm fore. Milton Road, SN1 5JE, or mail:
Saturday 8.00am - 12.30pm Our philosophy at Age Concern [email protected]
Swindon is simple. Ageing changes Find out much more about Age
FOR FREE
all of us and normally involves the Concern's work locally and nation-
LOCAL ADVICE
loss of some of our abilities and ally at www.ageconcern.org.uk
AND ESTIMATES
strengths. We recognise that many - 'making more of life.'
older people need some help to The Peatmoor Over 50s group
live as they wish, but we reject the is holding a coffee
idea that every person is destined
and mince pies morning on
to end up in residential care. So it
UNIT 7, BARNFIELD ROAD, GREAT WESTERN WAY, Wednesday 11 December,
SWINDON SN2 2DJ might be a brief visit to GWH if • loam to 11.30am at
necessary - but then older people
Peatmoor Primary School.
should be able to count on receiv-
Newcomers are very welcome