A listening ear, you are not alone

You are not alone! These are uncertain and unsettling times for all of us.

A listening ear - if you are stressed, worried or uncertain about your future, it can be very helpful to discuss the challenges you face with someone who listens well for understanding first of all, with no assumptions or judgements. Someone who will work in partnership with you to create solutions that are individually tailored, and a framework and plan for the future that you can imagine. Small steps moving forward at your pace lead to positive and beneficial changes and the creation of new healthy habits and lifestyle.

Dr Murray Cameron, Counsellor, is a Gold Card holder and senior, who works with people of all ages to create the future that they want to have. Developing individual plans and goals, encompassing all of the important aspects of a healthy, happy and positive life including physical, mental, family, spiritual, financial, work, leisure and pleasure aspects, leads to a happy and fulfilling future.

This can be particularly important when contemplating retirement or realizing that your retirement is unsatisfying making you unhappy and disappointed. One definition of retirement is “to withdraw from life, withdraw from view”.

It might be more useful and satisfying for your health and wellbeing to redefine your place and role as a positive and contributing member of society and your community, including part-time work and volunteering if desired. This benefits both you and the community, contributing your skills, talents, knowledge and wisdom in new ways that also provide personal meaning and purpose in this next stage of your life.

If this sounds interesting and useful, please contact me. My details are in the advertisement below.

Counselling Service For Seniors

Do you have problems, worries, challenges as an older person, that you would like to talk about confidentially?

Are you feeling stressed, anxious or depressed and would like to work together with a trained, professional counsellor towards a positive future? Would you like to plan for a happy, healthy, fulfilling retirement/new phase of life?

I work with kindness, care and compassion and can come and meet with you where you live if necessary. My fees are negotiable and affordable and related to your financial situation.

or to make an

“The first thing to do, is to get insulation checked. Old, tired insulation will simply not do the job.” The trust can check the state of anyone’s insulation for free (for rentals, landlord permission is required). For eligible low-income households who need insulation or a top-up layer, the insulation is free. The government through the

The Last Bee

Kiwi Warmer Homes programme, offers an 80% subsidy and the trust’s financial supporters top that up to 100%. For other customers CEA can provide a quote with an extra discount for GoldCard holders and payment plans. As a charity they have your interest at heart so you can be assured you get what you need, nothing more or less. They are happy to work with any support people you need to make decisions around insulation, and the process is simple, straightforward and stressfree.

“The second thing to do, is stopping all the draughts.” Instead of foam strips which can be unsuitable for uneven gaps, the trust advises v-seal which adjusts to the size of the gap and can be much more effective. Brush strips take care of draughts from under external doors. They are for sale at CEA’s shop and online and easy to install yourself or get any handyman to install them for you.

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Brian Bilston

“The third thing to look at is stopping the cold from singleglazed windows.” If double glazing is prohibitively expensive, as it is for many, plastic window kits can be a good solution. Although they are not a permanent solution, they are as effective as double glazing and, when installed well, are barely visible. They are available from the CEA shop and online as well. Another great option to stop the cold from windows, is double-layered curtains. Good quality, recycled curtains are available for free (although donations are very much appreciated) from the trust’s Curtain Bank in Christchurch.

More information is available from the trust’s website www.cea. co.nz or you can call them on 0800 GETWARM (0800 438 9276) for more information and advice.