A project for older people in Exeter has been saved, thanks to generous donations from people who gave up their Winter Fuel Allowance. It was feared that the Museum Project, which gives older men w… continue reading Powered by WPeMatico
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Here’s a short round up of the latest articles and advice, which have appeared on myageingparent.com in January. Getting professional help to find the right care home It is easy to find good legal and financial advice when looking at Registered … Continue reading →
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A project for older people in Exeter has been saved, thanks to generous donations from people who gave up their Winter Fuel Allowance. It was feared that the Museum Project, which gives older men w...
A majority of workers think having an older colleague in their team is likely to have a positive impact on their workplace, a new survey reveals. {DynamicContent:Social Media Buttons} And the pol… continue reading Powered by WPeMatico
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This guest blog was contributed by Dr Jill Edwards, School of Healthcare, Leeds University. When I was born I was not expected to live long enough to go to school, but a few months ago I celebrated by my 50th … Continue reading →
A majority of workers think having an older colleague in their team is likely to have a positive impact on their workplace, a new survey reveals. {DynamicContent:Social Media Buttons} And the pol...
A couple of years ago I was chatting to a friend who lives in Ireland and she mentioned that she was going off to pick up her bike from ‘The Shed’. I assumed she meant the one in her garden but no, apparently there was this thing in the town where she lived called a 'Men's Shed' where, apart from repairing bikes and making wooden furniture, local men got together for a bit of a chat, to work on community projects and to look out for each other. I’d never heard of these ‘Sheds’ so dug around on the internet, read about how the movement started in Australia then spread out from there and, the more I read, the more I thought "Why isn’t there a Men’s Shed here?"
I knew that, locally, there were a number of men like myself who, through retirement, redundancy, ill health or other circumstances, were a bit cut off from their local community and when I mentioned these Sheds to them they almost all said "That’s a great idea… if there was something like that here, I’d use it". For the most part they felt that, unless you were interested in a sport or going for a pint, there wasn’t an awful lot going on to get them out of the house. So they just ‘pottered about’, doing a bit of gardening or watching endless daytime TV while waiting to drop off or pick up their children or grandchildren from school etc. I knew just how they felt as that’s pretty much how my days were being spent, just marking time.
If only there was something like a Men’s Shed…
Last year I got involved with a couple of local community organisations. That gave me new interests outside the house and also reminded me that, y’know, I can DO stuff. Through one of those groups I became aware of a need for more activities that got men involved in things. I spoke to a lot of men who felt they had skills that were going to waste and more than a few women who felt they had men who were also going to waste as, since they retired or were made redundant, they’d "just not been the same…"
If only somebody would start a Shed…
Towards the end of the year I decided that if nobody else was going to do it, then I would. I found out that there were a few sheds starting up in Scotland and read up on how they were doing it. I spoke to people who’d organised sheds in their areas and began to get advice on how to move forward with this idea. The first step would be to call a public meeting and use that to gauge the level of support locally, hopefully find a couple of like minded souls who’d be willing to give some time and a lot of effort to getting a Men’s Shed up and running.
And that’s where we are now… on the 4th of February, at 7pm in the Kings Arms, Lockerbie there’ll be an open meeting to discuss the benefits of a Mens Shed for the Lockerbie area.
Somebody had to take the first step, eh?
Thanks to Ken Harvey for talking to us and we look forward to sharing the future developments of the Lockerbie Men's shed…
There has been an 81% increase in the number of people over the age of 90 taken to hospital by ambulance in the last three years. Data from tables of ambulance activity in England shows that 300,3… continue reading Powered … Continue reading →
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There has been an 81% increase in the number of people over the age of 90 taken to hospital by ambulance in the last three years. {DynamicContent:Social Media Buttons} Data from tables of...
A major Government scheme designed to prevent 40,000 pensioners a year having to sell their home to pay for care has badly underestimated the costs, local councils have warned. {DynamicContent:Soci… continue reading Powered by WPeMatico
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A major Government scheme designed to prevent 40,000 pensioners a year having to sell their home to pay for care has badly underestimated the costs, local councils have warned. {DynamicContent:Soci...
Older people are to be given the chance to boost their state pension by up to £25 a week under a new scheme. The plan, which was originally announced at the Autumn Statement , is to let anyone who… continue reading … Continue reading →
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Older people are to be given the chance to boost their state pension by up to £25 a week under a new scheme. The plan, which was originally announced at the Autumn Statement , is to let anyone who...
Helping older people save money in their home Age Cymru is this week supporting 'Big Energy Week' – providing advice about energy efficiency . Energy costs have risen sharply in recent years...
Today sees the launch of Citizens Advice Scotland's Big Energy Saving week which aims to help people cut their fuel bills and get all the financial support they are entitled to.
During Big Energy Saving Week there will be local information events across Scotland to help people make savings on home energy costs. Here are ten top tips for cutting your fuel bills.
These actions can make a difference, but Age Scotland believes that a huge additional investment by the UK Government is also needed to end the scourge of fuel poverty once in for all. That's why we'll be calling on you to support Cold Homes Week, 3rd to 7th February, with a range of easy-to-do online and off-line actions.
Concerns have been raised that some cancer patients are not being considered for treatment based solely on their age. Charity Macmillan Cancer Support has voiced concerns that health trusts are no… continue reading Powered by WPeMatico
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Concerns have been raised that some cancer patients are not being considered for treatment based solely on their age. Charity Macmillan Cancer Support has voiced concerns that health trusts are no...
Age NI welcomes today's call from Macmillan Cancer Support for health professionals not to make assumptions about an older persons' willingness or ability to undergo treatment based on their age....
The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill currently before the Scottish Parliament seeks to abolish the requirement, known as corroboration, that there must always be two separate sources of evidence before a case can proceed to trial. Derek Young weighs up the potential pros and cons for older people.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill's ambition of removing the requirement for corroboration, which is rare around the world, has stimulated much heated debate. Some MSPs, and most judges and lawyers are opposed, fearing that its abolition will lead to miscarriages of justice. Yet the move is supported by the police and some groups representing victims of crime. So where does Age Scotland stand?
In Scots law, corroboration is the principle that two distinct sources of evidence are needed for all the key elements of a criminal offence before charges are brought and a case proceeds to trial. The principle has been part of Scots criminal law and procedure since time immemorial, and first appears in the Bible. The philosopher and legal scholar, David Hume, wrote: "our law is averse to rely on [a witness's] single word, in any inquiry which may affect the person, liberty, or fame of his neighbour." Equally, if an older person is wrongly accused of a crime, s/he may be glad of the corroboration rule so that the evidence of a single witness against them would not be enough to allow a conviction.
But some are not convinced of its value. The police have long-favoured abolishing it. They claim it uses up police resources and denies justice in cases where there is only one witness, and might contribute to under-reporting of crimes which are unlikely to be proved. They also say that this often happens where crimes against an individual are committed in private – such as sexual offences and child abuse.
The law on elder abuse was updated in 2007, following much campaigning by Age Scotland’s predecessor charities. But this aspect of the law was not changed. Elder abuse can take place behind closed doors, and sometimes there may be little or no supporting evidence – especially if it involves 'hidden harms' such as mental or emotional abuse, making threats, or withholding food or medicine. Changing the corroboration rule for these cases might help to make prosecutions possible.
However, these prosecutions would rely more than ever on the witness testimony of an older person who may have been abused. In any trial where a conviction depends this, it is likely to be in the accused's interest to challenge the witness's credibility or reliability. Judges or juries who see and hear frail or vulnerable witnesses, who may have difficulties hearing, or cannot easily follow complex questions put to them in court, might also doubt the witness's memory about crucial details because of stereotypes about older people's abilities. Prosecutors might also be reluctant to bring charges in the first place if they think there's a real risk that an abused older person could be undermined as a witness.
We think prosecutors and judges should be aware of these risks and be prepared to take appropriate action. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service produced a welcome new guide for prosecutors on these issues last year. It's also important that we ensure that courtrooms are not intimidating places for older victims of crime, and judges and juries should also be aware of the risks that they might be susceptible to these stereotypes.
Derek Young is Age Scotland’s Policy Officer
Northern Ireland has an ageing population, in twenty years one in twenty five people will be over 85. Age NI is a voluntary sector organisation that promotes a positive later life; provides support...
Certain hospitals are failing to accurately monitor how long thousands of their patients are left waiting for treatment. A new report by the National Audit Office (NAO) reveals that a number of… continue reading Powered by WPeMatico
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Seven arts groups and projects from across Wales are competing for an award in recognition of their work with an older people's arts festival. The Gwanwyn Award will go to the group judges rule hav...
Certain hospitals are failing to accurately monitor how long thousands of their patients are left waiting for treatment. A new report by the National Audit Office (NAO) reveals that a number of...
This question was the starting point of Age UK's first Financial Services Commission summit event on 6th December. It arose from forthcoming Age UK research which suggests that although those coming up to retirement are often seen as … Continue reading →
The UK labour market continues to improve, including for the 50+. The number in work has risen by 352,000 in the past year and the employment rate for 50-64 year olds has risen faster (+1.6%) than for any other age group over that period. Most key indicators are continuing to head in the right direction and once again the number of people aged 50-64 in work has risen to a record high. But there is a clear gender divide in the unemployment figures. Whilst unemployment amongst men aged 50+ has fallen by 39,000 to 225,000 over the past year, for…
A new survey has found that almost 1 in 7 older people feel loneliest on Sundays. The research by the Royal Voluntary Service among more than 1,000 people revealed that 13% of older people miss… continue reading Powered by WPeMatico
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Compared with June to August 2013: • The number of people in employment increased by +280,000 to 30.15 million, and was up 457,000 compared with the previous year. • The 16-64 employment rate rose by +0.5% to 72.1%. • The number of unemployed people fell by 167,000 to reach 2.32 million (7.1%). • The number of economically inactive people aged from 16 to 64 fell by 22,000 to reach 8.93 million. • The Claimant Count in December 2013 fell by 24,000 compared with November to 1.247 million • There were 569,000 job vacancies for October to…
Age Cymru's Chief Executive, Ian Thomas will be appearing 'The Wales Report' at 10.35pm on BBC One Wales tonight. Ian will be speaking about the need to protect older and vulnerable people from...
A new survey has found that almost 1 in 7 older people feel loneliest on Sundays. {DynamicContent:Social Media Buttons} The research by the Royal Voluntary Service among more than 1,000 people...
Junior Minister Jennifer McCann has called for the rights of older people to be upheld. Speaking at the Pensioners Parliament, the West Belfast MLA said: "No one should be discriminated against...
Happiness is the key to maintaining health in old age, according to a study reported by The Telegraph. Researchers from University College London have found that happy people are fitter and healthi… continue reading Powered by WPeMatico
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Happiness is the key to maintaining health in old age, according to a study reported by The Telegraph. Researchers from University College London have found that happy people are fitter and healthi...
Older women are putting themselves at risk by failing to attend cervical screening tests, claims cancer trust. Research by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust reveals that 27.3% of women aged 60 to 64 no… continue reading Powered by WPeMatico
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Older women are putting themselves at risk by failing to attend cervical screening tests, claims trust. Research by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust reveals that 27.3% of women aged 60 to 64 no longer go...
The UK’s over-65s represent a growing percentage of the population, and this is also the case on the roads. Despite certain stereotypes about older drivers, this age group is having the last laugh … continue reading Powered by WPeMatico
The post Over-65s among the safest motorists appeared first on .
The UK's over-65s represent a growing percentage of the population, and this is also the case on the roads. Despite certain stereotypes about older drivers, this age group is having the last laugh ...
CARDI (Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland) will host a half-day seminar on "Housing for an ageing population" on Thursday, 13 February 2014 9:30- 13.00 at the Holiday Inn, Belfas...
Agnes McGroarty from the Scottish Seniors Alliance introduces a new campaign to defend universal pensioner benefits.
'Hands Off' is the clear message coming from older people across Scotland, as a new UK‑wide campaign, launched last month, aims to defend the need for universal pensioner benefits.
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, this 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.
I would encourage people of all ages to sign the online e-petition and to email their local MP via the campaign website at www.handsoff.org.uk. If the e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in the House of Commons. Clearly, a debate would raise the profile of this issue with the current coalition government and amongst other UK political parties who may be in power following the 2015 general election.
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. Universal benefits need to be defended not only for today's pensioners, but for the pensioners of tomorrow as well.
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.
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.
The Hands Off campaign is being officially backed by the Scottish Seniors Alliance, the National Pensioners' Convention, Age Sector Platform in Northern Ireland and the Welsh Senate of Older People.
For more information on the campaign, and to sign the e-petition, please visit www.handsoff.org.uk.
