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Community News

The Autumn Years: making the most of later life
Help is at hand for those who feel isolated or alone

It is an unavoidable fact that many “It’s about understanding how older them. Far better, if they are able, “There are a number of groups
of us will live alone in later life. This people became lonely and isolated for them to develop the confidence and activities that can provide
pattern is exacerbated by changes in the first place - how they got to to join in with a wider group and both social and physical activity.
in society which mean that we are that point, what are the issues they we can support them in this. It’s One of the schemes that are being
more likely to move further from face, what they want to achieve, about supporting people to remain pioneered in West Wiltshire are
home for work or a host of other and how we can help them.” independent. Age UK also runs a fitness and friendship clubs. These
reasons - often leading to families This can be tackled through the telephone befriending service where have about 40 minutes of gentle
being spread further apart. use of befriending services, but as volunteers are on hand to chat to exercise followed by a 20 minute
But a great deal of work has been Jayne explained, it is not always the older people who are unable to break for tea and biscuits. And
done to highlight this issue and answer. leave their homes. then the group members engage
now help is at hand for those who “Traditional befriending services “We tend to talk about older in something a bit more rowdy
need to reach out to make contact involve someone visiting a person in people as being the over 55 age like new age curling - much like
with others. their home on a regular basis. This group - but that covers at least five traditional curling but with the
Loneliness and isolation is can obviously be great for someone generations. It is really important stones replaced by specially made
recognised as a serious issue who cannot easily get out and not to see the older age group as stones with casters on. People say
affecting older people. It can be about, but we are now encouraging having the same set of needs and that it has not only encouraged
a precursor to depression and people to develop their own social attitudes. The range of needs in this them to exercise, but it has also
and studies have shown that it networks if they are able to get out age group are vast. Older people made them more aware of being
can affect your physical health to and about.” challenge your perceptions all the more active. They are more likely
the same extent as smoking 15 She explained that this is because time - it’s not a one-size fits all - to walk up the stairs rather than
cigarettes a day. there is a concern that some will what suits one person might not taking a lift, it becomes part of their
Age UK’s Jayne Funnell explained: become reliant on people visiting suit another. everyday life.”

Lunch clubs are a great way to Alan Baker, who has been going is welcoming new members
beat the blues. to the club for 12 months said: over 65. The club is held every
The Rodbourne Lunch Club “Everyone here is so friendly - I Wednesday between 12pm
in Swindon provides a friendly live alone, it gives me a chance and 2:30pm, at the Rodbourne
environment for its members to to get out and meet new people. Methodist Church, Rodbourne
relax in, enjoy a cooked lunch It’s a life-saver.” Road. Sessions cost £3.50 which
and get involved with a range of The club, which has been includes the two course meal.
activities. running since December 2011, Call 01380 727767.
Keeping up to date with your financial entitlements

In older life, organising your finances to access more than £2 million in per week and the fund is not means eligible. Many people are reluctant
is vitally important - this is where unclaimed money by helping them tested. to claim these benefits because
organisations such as Age UK can be apply for attendance allowance. “A lot of people don’t apply for they don’t want people to know
of enormous help. That’s money that will then benefit this money that they might well be about their finances. Attendance
the local economy.” entitled to. Sometimes that might Allowance is not means tested and
Head of services for Age UK, Attendance allowance is paid to be because of the way the form it’s tax free - it’s based on need.
Jayne Funnell explained: “We can those over the age of 65 who are is worded. We can help people in It is worth noting that the other
help with all sorts of things such physically or mentally disabled. The filling out those forms to make sure benefits you get can increase if you
as providing information and fund is paid at two different rates that they get what they are entitled get Attendance Allowance.
advice. One of the key areas we and how much you get depends on to. Your carer could get Carer’s
can help with is filling out forms. the level of care that you need. You “In Wiltshire, we have to work Allowance if you have substantial
We estimate that we assist people could either get £55.10 or £82.30 hard to reach those people who are caring needs.
14 swindonlink.com n February 2017

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