Verwood Area Fifty Plus Newletter

Issue 0ne - Summer 2009

An independent ACTION  Forum for people aged 50 and over Including Alderholt, Chalbury Common, Cranborne Edmondsham, Horton, M ann ington, Three Legged Cross, Wimborne St. Giles and Woodlands . 

Welcome to the first edition of the Verwood Area Fiftyplus Forum Newsletter. The aims of the forum are to provide information and up-dates on matters likely to be of interest to members of the group, to invite comments, criticism and suggestion from our members and to provide a few chuckles along the way. The best news is that Membership is Free. The only criteria for membership are that you are 50+ and you live in the areas mentioned above. 

There are still vacancies to fill on the committee or if you do not wish to be on the committee, would you be willing to help at meetings? Previous experience is not required, just the willingness to give up a two hours every three months for our meetings. If you are interested, please come along to our next meeting on Wednesday 9th September in the Legion Hall starting at 10.30a.m. At the request of members we have invited a speaker from St. John Ambulance Brigade to come along. Are you caring for someone living at home? Are you struggling to cope? Are you feeling under pressure?  If you have said yes to any of these St John Ambulance Dorset can help.

We will also have feedback from the last Forum meeting on the points raised at the meeting

RECENT FORUM ACTIVITIES

Hilary Foggo joined representatives from senior forums in Swanage, Sherborne, Shaftesbury and Weymouth & Portland to travel to London on the 10th June and protest at the failures within the care system for older people. 

They joined hundreds of older people from across the country for the mass lobby that was co-ordinated by national Age Concern and Help the Aged.  Highlighting real-life examples of where the care system has failed older people and their families, they gave a firm message regarding what needs to change when the Government produces its green paper on care reform. 

Conversations were held with MPs Oliver Letwin, Bob Walter and Stephen O’Brien, the Shadow Minister for Health.  Each of the MPs were given a copy of the Dorset Forums report ‘Campaign for Care’, a copy of their Care Debate DVD and were urged to join up as Dignity in Care champions.

VERWOOD AREA GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEME

The Scheme started in September 2008 with the object of taking those over fifty, who did not have cars or were unable to drive, to the local surgeries, hospitals, shops, hairdressers, vets, etc., for a minimum donation to cover the driver’s expenses, insurance, telephone etc, examples of which are £4 locally or further afield to Bournemouth Hospital for £15, which will take our clients to their destination and the return journey back to their houses.

For the seven months up to June our drivers have covered 4,263 miles and have made 366 trips for clients.

If you know of anyone who would benefit from this service the telephone number to call is 07593 373580

 Beware of Doorstep Callers

There has recently been another spate of bogus caller crimes in Dorset . If an unknown person knocks on YOUR door always put the chain on the door before opening it. Never let anyone in without checking their identity and check any telephone number given to you with the phone book.  Don’t just ring the telephone number as these  people  often  work  with  an accomplice.

Remember, it’s YOUR home and you do not have to let anyone in unless you wish to.  Just say “No”!  If  you  are  unsure,  a  good  tip  is  to telephone  a  neighbour and  ask  them  to  come  round  BEFORE  you  let the person in.  If the person is genuine, they will wait.  If a neighbour is not available, ask the person to come back at another rearranged time and this will  give  you  time  to  arrange  for  somebody  to  be  there.  

ContACT Trading Standards about any dubious traders on 01305 224702.

ANchor Staying Put Housing Options for Older People

Housing Options for Older People offers a free confidential and impartial service to older people who are considering moving home for various reasons.

As our age increases, so too does the amount of time that we spend in our own homes – and the more important to our health and well-being our homes become. 

It is widely acknowledged across both central and local Government, Health, and Social Care services, that all of us want to stay independent for as long as is possible.

Our desire to maintain independence within their own home is very strong, but there may come a time when an individual no longer finds coping in that home easy and he or she may, therefore, need to consider the possibility of moving, or of exploring other options.

•                            Buying a different property       

•                            Living with family

•                            Sheltered/Retirement Housing

•                            Extra Care

•                            Care/Nursing home

•                            Retirement Complexes/Villages

•                            Council/Registered Social Landlord properties

•                            Mutual Exchange

•                            Private Renting

•                            Almshouses

•                            Leasehold schemes for the Elderly

•                            Shared ownership

•                            Lifetime lease

•                            Part Exchange

•                            Home Improvement Agencies

•                            Repairs services

•                            Adaptations & Equipment

•                            Heating/Insulation etc

•                            Alarm Systems/Telecare

•                            Home Safety Check

For more information please contact Anchor Staying Put on 01202 86276

The New Equality Bill comes into force Autumn 2010 and will ban age discrimination in the work place and also outside the work place  i.e  for goods, facilities and services. This will impact on health and social care and private sector services including the insurance; being told you are too old to apply for a store card at 65; being told that you are too old to access full rehabilitation services at 56 following a stroke; being told by a GP that constant back pain (or other things) are due to “old age” when eventually it was found to be a tumour.

This is only a snippet of the law but a number of will be able to identify with some of these issues.  We will expand on the bill as time goes on.

 The following quotes are from the Sherbourne Area Over Fifty’s Group:

   “ Never raise your hand to child – it leaves your middle area exposed.”

Never be afraid to try something new, remember,

Amateurs built the Ark

Professionals built the Titanic

Interesting Fact.

Did you know that:

The average life span of a peasant during the medieval ages was just 25 years?

Brain Teaser

How would you rearrange the letters in the words NEW DOOR to make one word?

There is only one correct answer and I will let you know in the next newsletter!

Maeve Binchy wrote a book after having had a hip replacement. It is called Aches and Pains and the proceeds go to Arthritis Care.   It is funny.

A quote from Paul Newman in the book   “ Old age is not for sissies” 

If you would like anything to go in future Newsletters please let us have them.

Pat Morrow

Chairman

25 St. Stephens Lane

Verwood

BH31 7BQ  

Telephone 01202 814733

Verwood Area Fiftyplus Forum is supported by Age Concern Dorchester, Anchor Staying Put, 
Dorset Association of Senior Forums, Dorset POPP, Neighbourhood Watch, Verwood Town Council