Age UK Bucks - Engage Magazine Autumn 2018

engage AGE UK MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2018

AGE UK BUCKINGHAMSHIRE NEWS + FUNDRAISING EVENTS + MUCH MORE INSIDE

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AUTUMN 2018

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Meet the team‌ Editor Chantelle Henderson Tel: 01296 431911 Email: chenderson@ ageukbucks.org.uk

Age UK Buckinghamshire 145 Meadowcroft Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP19 9HH Tel: 01296 431911 Fax: 01296 330783 Email: age@ageukbucks.org.uk www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Advertising Laurence Tel: 01536 334218 Email: laurence@lanceprint.co.uk

Publisher Lance Print Ltd 1st Floor Tailby House Bath Road Kettering NN16 8NL Tel: 01536 334222 Email: mike@lanceprint.co.uk www.lanceprint.co.uk

Printer Lance Print Ltd

Front cover pumpkin image: Š By EvgeniiAnd/shutterstock

Tel: 01733 390564

This magazine is produced on behalf of Age UK Buckinghamshire by Lance Publishing Ltd. All rights are reserved by the charity and no part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the charity. Age UK Buckinghamshire will accept no responsibility for, or necessarily agree with, any claims made or views expressed in this publication, nor does the mention of any product, service or advertisement imply a recommendation

by Age UK Buckinghamshire. Reg. Charity No. 1078539

4 | AUTUMN 2018

09 Contents Autumn 2018

In your area. . . . . . . . . 17 News on the new library in Aylesbury

Top Tips for Gardening. . . . . . . . . . 18 Handy hints to keep your

Foreword Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 garden in great shape. from the CEO. . . . . . . . 05 Details on our services and how they can help you.

Autumn Recipes. . . . . . 19 Two lovely recipes to A Wedding in make this Autumn. the Woods. . . . . . . . . . 06 The Big Bag We interview one of Challenge . . . . . . . . . . 12 our befrienders who Help us by donating Autumn Wordsearch. . 22 has recently married another befriender!

unwanted items to our Aylesbury shop.

A fun wordsearch to complete.

The Big Knit. . . . . . . . . 08 Ageing Well. . . . . . . . . 13 Useful News about our new A great new campaign Contact Numbers . . . . 23 campaign for The Big Knit 2018/19.

from Active Bucks.

Numbers you may find helpful.

Birding in Bucks. . . . . . 16 Fundraising!. . . . . . . . . 10 Tips on how to get birds into Ask Julie. . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Two wonderful fundraising stories and ways you can get involved.

your garden this Autumn.

Check out this issues questions for Julie.

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Foreword from the CEO Welcome to the Autumn edition of Engage

06 13

16 suppor ting older people since 1945

Well, it has been confirmed by the Met Office that we are approaching the end of one of the hottest summers on record, the nights are noticeably closing in and there is certainly a familiar autumn mist settling across the lovely Buckinghamshire landscape. I do hope that you have enjoyed the summer sun, stayed safe, and cool, following our top tips to stay hydrated and well in the summer edition of Engage.

All the team at Age UK Buckinghamshire have had a busy and rewarding summer. I am delighted to announce that we have been awarded the Age UK national quality standards framework. This gives the public re-assurance that we are a well-managed local charity and that we are an effective local Age UK, well done to all our staff and volunteers. Our certificate is displayed with pride in the Reception area.

We have also been out in the community raising awareness of our work and fundraising.

We enjoyed two uplifting and stimulating nights with the High Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross Rock Choirs which also enabled us to raise much needed donations. You can read more about this on page 10 in this edition.

Our shop in Aylesbury has also noticed the increased number of customers who have been lured out by the astonishing weather, we have seen an increase in sales over the summer months and it would be

great if everyone can get behind the Big Bag Challenge promoted on page 12 so that we can have our shelves full of great stock ready for the winter months.

We rely on income from many different sources and I would like to take the opportunity to spare a gracious thought to those people who are sadly no longer with us but have considered us in their planning for end of life. During the spring and summer this year, we have received legacy income from three people who felt such a positive impact on their life as a result of our services, they chose to remember us in their will.

This is received with heartfelt thanks and re-assurance that we are doing a great job in supporting those most vulnerable in our communities.

I hope you enjoy reading the autumn edition of Engage and as always please feed in your comments and suggestions of interesting and helpful articles for the future With best wishes

Bernadette Ashcroft AUTUMN 2018 | 5

engage How do you find befriending?

A Wedding in the Woods Matt and Louise, two of our wonderful befrienders recently got married in a ceremony that was led by Matt’s befriending partner Ivor. A wonderful story of friendship between two generations.

We talked with Matt to find out why he got involved in volunteering…

Louise and I had such a wonderful wedding in the woods. Having so many close family and friends there made the day even more special.

What made you and Louise want to get involved in befriending for Age UK Bucks?

I believe that bridging generational gaps is important as we have so much to teach one another.

Ivor regales me with stories from his childhood and the struggles he faced growing up. It helps to put life in perspective and makes me thankful for everything I have today.

It is as if we are old friends now just spending time together and laughing!

Spending time with Ivor has made me a better person

Would you recommend befriending to others?

We love befriending! We get to spend an hour or so in the company of someone amazing. By giving an hour or two of my time each week I can help combat the loneliness that elderly people, like Ivor and Pat, could experience. Befriending takes so little time but could mean the world to someone.

From everyone at Age UK Bucks, thank you for volunteering and having such a positive impact on an older person’s life.

You are welcome and thank you for introducing us to Ivor and Pat.

Flower: © By Quang Ho/shutterstock

Louise missed the company she shared with her Nan after she passed and she lived on her own for a number of years, so she can appreciate how isolating loneliness is.

6 | AUTUMN 2018

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Photo Credit: Luka Waycott Photography at www.lukawaycott.photoshelter.com

Congratulations on your wedding, how was the big day?

Ivor and I meet at least once a week for a catch-up.

We dabble with the occasional game of dominos, put the world to right and have a cup of tea. Ivor has a keen interest in Military planes, so we have been to the RAF museum in Cosford. Ivor is a member of the Salvation Army and he blessed our wedding by conducting the service, which was so lovely for all of us.

Louise and Pat like to have a good gossip each week, often about the Royal Family or Strictly Come Dancing!

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AUTUMN 2018 | 7

engage

calling all knitters

the Big Knit is back send your hats to: Age UK Buckinghamshire, 145 Meadowcroft, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 9HH Age UK is a registered charity (number 1128267)

8 | AUTUMN 2018

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

The Big Knit is back!

W

e are happy to announce that after the success of previous years, Age UK Buckinghamshire will once again be taking part in The Big Knit with Innocent! Our hat target for this year is 3820 hats and we receive 25p from each hat, which we use to fund vital services for older people in Buckinghamshire.

The 2018/2019 campaign timings:

We are always looking for new knitters to be involved in this wonderful campaign.

If you would like to get knitting for us, then please contact Chantelle Henderson by emailing:

chenderson@ ageukbucks.org.uk or by calling 01296 431911.

We have many wonderful patterns that we can send to you, so please get in touch!

beginner pattern by Juliet Bernard Yarn: Blue and white DK Needles: 4mm Hat: • Cast on 31 sts in blue • Knit two rows (garter st) • Change to white and beginning with a knit row continue in st st as follows • 2 rows white, 2 rows blue, • 2 rows white, 2 rows blue, • 2 rows white, 2 rows blue.

• Continue in blue • Next row: k2tog to last st, k1 (16sts) • Next row: purl • Next row: k2tog to end (8sts) • Cut the yarn leaving approx 10cm length. Thread this through a sewing needle and bring through stitches and pull up to tighten.

Making up • Use a sewing needle to join side seams.

• Make a pompom in blue and white and sew securely to top of the hat.

Abbreviations: St(s) - stitch(es) | st st - stocking stitch | k2tog - knit two together

Flower: © By Kostikova Natalia/shutterstock

August 2018: The Big Knit begins! Get those knitting needles out and get creative!

January 2019: The first batch of hats need to be sent to Innocent – so if you have hats waiting, please sent them to us

by Friday 4th January!

July 2019: The second and final batch of hats needs to be with us!

Please get these to us

by Friday 26th July.

Please send all hats to: Age UK Buckinghamshire, 145 Meadowcroft, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 9HH.

Want to be involved?

Stripe hat pattern

suppor ting older people since 1945

AUTUMN 2018 | 9

engage

Fundraising Events!

A big thankyou to

Rock Choirs!

A

t the beginning of July, three Buckinghamshire based Rock Choirs held concerts at The Elgiva Theatre, Chesham in support of Age UK Buckinghamshire.

Katy, a representative from the Rock Choirs said: ‘Rock Choir High Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross were delighted to be able to support Age UK Buckinghamshire during our Summer Shows this year. Our tour of local Care Home performances back in December meant it was the perfect link to such an important charity. Many members of the choir will have elderly relatives living in Buckinghamshire, so this will have also been a wonderful way to show thanks.’

1 0 | AUTUMN 2018

A big thank you to Waitrose!

Bernadette Ashcroft, acting CEO said: “I was delighted to represent Age UK Buckinghamshire at the two Rock Choir events. I was inspired by the collective sense of energy and positivity.

The choirs welcomed all ages and provided an opportunity for each and every member to give their best. It was an uplifting and inclusive experience for everyone, whether you were a member of the choir or in the audience. Thank you to all those people who supported us by giving generous donations”.

We had a stall and bucket collectors and the event was a great success and raised £831 – vital funds that help us to support older people in Buckinghamshire.

How YOU can fundraise!

Take part in the Vale Lottery to be in with a chance to win great prizes every week.

Want to host your own event to fundraise for Age UK Buckinghamshire?

Whether you are jumping out of a plane, hosting a cake sale or running a 10k, you can fundraise for us on JustGiving.

Fundraising via JustGiving makes the whole process much easier. So what are you waiting for?

In July, Waitrose (Aylesbury) chose Age UK Buckinghamshire to be one of their Community Matters charities. Thanks to the residents of Aylesbury giving many green tokens, an amazing £300 was raised!

Age UK Buckinghamshire has been helping older people across the county to enjoy later life over 70 years.

One of the major services that we provide is befriending.

This service supports lonely and socially isolated older people by providing weekly companionship and support. The money raised from these events will go towards the support of this worthwhile service.

Tickets cost just £1 a week and you could win up to an incredible £25,000 whilst raising funds to support our work.

See more and buy tickets here: www. valelottery.co.uk/support/ age-uk-buckinghamshire Get involved here: https://www.justgiving. com/AgeUKBuckinghamshire

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Hairdressing

Handyperson Service

Finding it difficult to get to the hairdressers?

A service to help you maintain your home.

Our Hairdressing service is a mobile service providing a wide range of treatments, reasonably priced and adapted to meet the needs of older people. Our hairdressers cover most parts of the county. This service is available to people of all ages.

The aim of our Handyperson service is to enable older people in Buckinghamshire to remain in control of their home and their independence. If you have simple DIY jobs around the house that need doing our Handyperson service may be able to help.

Neat Feet Footcare Providing toenail cutting and general footcare

We can direct you to local Footcare services for older people and people with a physical disability who can no longer manage to cut their own toenails. If you struggle to trim your toenails and you would like someone come to your home and cut them at a time that suits you, we can help.

Help in the Home Do you need help around the home?

Our Home Helpers can assist with general cleaning, vacuuming, laundry, shopping and prescription collections. You choose which tasks your Home Helper For more carries out for you each information call: week, supporting you to 01296 431911 or email: remain in control of age@ageukbucks.org.uk keeping your home the Information can also be way you like it to be. found on our website: www.ageukbucks. org.uk

suppor ting older people since 1945

AUTUMN 2018 | 11

engage

Age UK Big Bag Challenge 2018 We need your help

T

his year, Age UK Buckinghamshire will be taking part in the Big Bag Challenge! The challenge will begin on Monday 8th October for four weeks until the 5th November.

We need your unwanted goods to help us to raise our target of £1500 in extra income through sales within our Aylesbury shop between now and the end of the year.

We are encouraging everyone to have a clear out and donate a bag of unwanted items to raise much needed funds for our work supporting older people who are lonely in our county. It would be great if donations could have a value of £5 or more e.g. a good winter coat, an unwanted outfit, Christmas decorations, working electrical appliances, china and glassware/ornaments.

1 2 | AUTUMN 2018

How does the Big Bag Challenge help?

Every bag donated will help raise muchneeded funds for older people. Funds raised will allow Age UK Buckinghamshire to continue its vital work of supporting those who are facing later life alone, enabling us to provide companionship, support and advice, as well as our vital campaigning work.

claim over £1,600,000 in benefits entitlement.

We routinely visited over 300 older people living on their own through our Befriending Service and responded to 12,000 requests for help and advice. We cannot carry out this vital work without your help. So please take part in The Big Bag Challenge and help us to help older people in Buckinghamshire.

Please help us locally with this challenge we need your support!

We will have collection bags available for you to use for your unwanted items at our shop at 34 High Street, Aylesbury and at our office at 145 Meadowcroft, Aylesbury HP19 9HH. Phone 01296 431911 for further details.

During 2017/18, our Welfare Benefits Service provided help and support to enable older people across Bucks

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Ageing well together campaign

L

et’s age well together.

We want to help local residents like you to live long, happy and healthy lives. That’s why we’re working with Active Bucks and other partners to encourage older residents across Buckinghamshire to try a new physical activity or sport session.

© By Andreas Saldavs/shutterstock

Keeping active as we age is really important for our physical and mental health.

It can help us keep up with the grandkids, provide a way to regularly see friends, ensure our minds stay sharp by learning new strengthens the major skills and ward off many muscles, like digging the preventable diseases. garden, Pilates or carrying heavy shopping bags.

Current guidelines There are hundreds of recommend that people activities taking place aged 65 and over should across the county to aim to be moderately help you achieve these active for 150 minutes guidelines, and through each week, that means Active Bucks,your first an activity which raises session is free. your heart rate and makes Try your hand at activities you breathe faster and like nordic walking, feel warmer. Government gym, swimming, dance, recommendations also martial arts, badminton, include two sessions of tennis, and yoga. activity each week which

suppor ting older people since 1945

Ian 67, a retired graphic designer from Steeple Claydon tried Nordic Walking last year and has been hooked ever since.

According to Ian, it’s the social aspect which makes it enjoyable with feeling fitter and healthier an added bonus. However with only two other men in the group, Ian is keen to get more men involved.

From the first session in the cold wind and pouring rain, I loved it! I knew it was doing me good.

I feel fitter than I have done for years, I have less aches and pains and I have lost significant weight without any change to my diet.

I am racing up hills and inclines where before I would be puffing and panting. It feels exhilarating to get the heart rate up.

“It was the social thing more than anything; we have grown together as a group of people. We didn’t know each other before and now we all look forward to the session. My wife Val will tell you that I get really annoyed if I have to miss a session of this. So the big message as far as I’m concerned is let’s get more men doing it.”

Like Ian, you can feel the social and physical benefits of being more active. Sign up for an activity session today. www.activebucks.co.uk

AUTUMN 2018 | 13

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It has a twin bedroom, open plan kitchen and lounge. The kitchen has a 4-ring hob, oven, microwave, toaster, fridge freezer and washing machine. There is a family sized bathroom. The lounge has a sofa (which converts into two more single beds) and a table to seat four. A TV, DVD ,CD player and WiFi are also available. Both the lounge and bedroom have patio doors which open onto the balcony offering views over the swimming pool and across Lagos.

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suppor ting older people since 1945

AUTUMN 2018 | 15

engage

Birding in Bucks You do not have to travel far to see some amazing wildlife in Buckinghamshire.

Have a water source Birds need fresh water to survive so having

© By Scooperdigital/shutterstock

Source: Saga

Provide a variety of food Bird feeders with a variety of foods (sunflower seeds, peanuts, fat balls, seed mixes) will attract a more diverse range of birds to your garden.

However, do not forget to clean the feeders thoroughly and regularly!

You should also place them close to or even half concealed by cover, such as a bush, to enable birds to escape predators.

a pond or birdbath to make sure they are attracted to your garden.

If you do not have one of these, a shallow Tupperware box or upside down Frisbee filled with water will work just as well!

Leave out leftovers Before you throw food in the bin, think of the birds!

Not all food is suitable for your garden birds. Bread has little nutritional value for birds and so it is not worth putting out.

However, out of date apples and other fruit will be popular with blackbirds and thrushes.

Easy access wildlife sites in Bucks We asked the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) for their top accessible sites for birding and getting out into nature.

Their top picks are: 1. College Lake Nature Reserve, B488, Tring, HP23 5QG.

2.

Calvert Jubilee Nature Reserve, Calvert, Buckinghamshire, MK18 2FQ.

The main hide at Calvert Jubilee is accessible in a wheelchair.

Check the BBOWT website for more information and events: www.bbowt.org.uk

© By Andreas Saldavs/shutterstock

Top Tips to get birds into your garden this Autumn:

This reserve has several accessible areas and there are trampers available to hire free of charge.

1 6 | AUTUMN 2018

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

In your area

Events in Buckinghamshire…

Aylesbury Library - Refurbishment

W

ork to create an updated modern library for Aylesbury is underway and is due to be completed in November.

The Aylesbury Library building on Walton Street is being completely refurbished, bringing the reference library and lending library under the same roof, also introducing a number of fantastic new and modern facilities fit for the 21st Century.

If you want to follow progress as the new library develops why not follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook. com/AylesburyLibraries/

Libraries are not just for books many of the libraries throughout the county offer a range of activities to get involved in from coffee mornings and knit and natter groups through to researching your family history.

Did you know that on the Buckinghamshire County Council website, you can look up the times and dates of all kinds of events across Buckinghamshire?

From weekly walks to knitting groups, creative writing classes

to board games, coffee mornings to reading groups… they have it all!

Have a look at the BCC website https:// www.buckscc.gov.uk/ events/events/ and see what classes and events are near you!

Visit the website below for more information. https://www.buckscc. gov.uk/events/libraryevents

© By donatas1205/shutterstock

© By Natalia K/shutterstock

While the work takes place a lending and reference service

is available in the temporary location of Aylesbury Study Centre.

Access for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs is via Friars Square Shopping Centre or the bus station. The entrance is between House of Fraser and the former BHS site.

The new dementiafriendly, modern library design will have a completely new layout, improved facilities and longer opening hours.

supporting ting older older people people since since 1945 1945 suppor

2018 || 17 17 AUTUMN 2018 AUTUMN

engage

10 Top Tips for

Source: www.theenglishgarden.co.uk and www.allaboutallotments.co.uk

Gardening 1. Gathering leaves as they fall saves a lot of back-breaking work later on in the season. Once the leaves begin to fall, rake leaves as often as you can to keep the job as light as possible.

4. Continue to deadhead flowering plants, especially roses, as they can continue blooming for another month or two.

5. Even though lawns may get too wet to mow towards

the end of autumn, keep them edged.

This keeps your garden looking smart!

2. Buy your winter bedding plants early as they are much cheaper at the beginning of autumn.

Plant them soon 6. Autumn is the so they bed in before perfect time to winter arrives. aerate your lawn.

Aerating your 3. Collect seeds from lawn allows water, your garden as oxygen, and fertiliser this is a cheap to reach the roots way of planting your of your grass so it garden next year! can better survive the winter.

1 8 | AUTUMN 2018

7. In addition to evergreens and

shrubs, there are other things that you can plant in these transitional months: Spring bulbs including daffodils, dog’s tooth violet, and glory- of-the-snow.

survive the winter.

Some great flowers for pollinators include: Goldenrod, Purple aster, Maximilian sunflower.

10. Mow your lawns

when it is dry as cutting your grass before the first 8. This is the perfect freeze allows time of year to start more sunlight to your compost heap reach the grass for the upcoming blades so it can seasons. Autumn retain more nutrients leaves are the perfect in the root. Change base and there your mower blade should be plenty settings to its lowest falling into your garden. setting. You want the least amount of leaf 9. To help bees and to be exposed

other pollinators, so less material plant autumn pollinator browns on the flowers in your garden stalk. to help refill their supplies so they can

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Autumn Recipes Autumn Tomato Chutney Prep: 40 mins - 50 mins Cook: 50 mins Makes about 1.5 litres / 2¾ pints

Ingredients

• 1kg ripe tomato, peeled and chopped • 50g cooking apple, peeled, cored and chopped • 375g light muscovado sugar • 250g onion, chopped • 250g raisins • 1 green pepper, deseeded and chopped • 2 tsp salt ½ tsp ground ginger • 350ml cider vinegar

Method

Put all the ingredients into a large pan and bring to the boil over a medium heat.

Stir occasionally until the sugar has dissolved.

Boil the mixture, uncovered, for about 45-50 mins until the fruit is tender and thickened.

Cool, then transfer the mixture to a sterilised jar and seal.

Reference: BBC Good Food

Creamy pumpkin & lentil soup

Prep: 15 mins Cook: 35 mins Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil, plus 1 tsp • 2 onions, chopped • 2 garlic cloves, chopped • approx 800g chopped pumpkin flesh, plus the seeds

suppor ting older people since 1945

• 100g split red lentil • ½ small pack thyme, leaves picked, plus extra to serve • 1l hot vegetable stock • pinch of salt and sugar • 50g crème fraîche, plus extra to serve

Method

Heat the oil in a large pan. Fry the onions until softened and starting to turn golden. Stir in the garlic, pumpkin flesh, lentils and thyme, then pour in the hot stock.

Season, cover and simmer for 20-25 mins until the lentils and vegetables are tender.

Meanwhile, wash the pumpkin seeds.

Remove any flesh still clinging to them and dry them with kitchen paper. Heat the 1 tsp oil in a non-stick pan and fry the seeds until

they start to jump and pop. Stir frequently, but cover the pan in between to keep them in it. When the seeds look nutty and toasted, add a sprinkling of salt and a pinch of sugar, and stir well.

Whizz the cooked pumpkin mixture with a hand blender or in a food processor until smooth, then add the crème fraîche and whizz again. Taste for seasoning.

Serve with a spoonful of crème fraîche, a few thyme leaves and the toasted seeds scattered on top.

AUTUMN 2018 | 19

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ACORN

SCENIC

MIGRATION

FOLIAGE

BEAUTIFUL

SQUIRREL

ORANGE

HAYRIDE

CORNUCOPIA

YELLOW

RIPE

NOVEMBER

FOOTBALL

APPLE

SEASON

PUMPKIN

LEAVES

BONFIRE

SUNFLOWER

SCARECROW

OCTOBER

CRISP

AUTUMN

SEPTEMBER

RAKE

HARVEST

BROWN

SUNSHINE

2 2 | AUTUMN 2018

© By Mir_Vam/shutterstock

Autumn h c r a e S d r o W

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Useful Contact Numbers Subject/Query Safety & Security

Organisation Details Thames Valley Police

Contact Number Emergency 999. Non-emergency 101

Safeguarding

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub

0800 137915

Scams

Trading Standards

0300 123 2329

Home Fire Risk Checks

Bucks & Milton Keynes Fire & Rescue

01296 744477

Health and Wellbeing Memory Concerns

Alzheimers Society Memory Support Team

01296 331749

Hearing or sight concerns

Bucks Integrated Sensory Service

01296 479970

Falls

Community Falls Team

0844 225 2403 / 01494 426868

Community Response & Reablement Team – all Social Services, Occupational Therapy and Needs Assessment

01296 383204

Telecare Equipment

01296 383774

Mobility Equipment Equipment Loans

NRS Health Care Independent Living Consultants Red Cross

0345 123 8248 01844 273050 01296 739302

Iver Good Neighbour Scheme

Bucks County Council & Community Impact Bucks

01753 358101

Meal Deliveries – Hot Food Frozen Meals

Appetito Wiltshire Farm Foods Oakhouse Foods

0800 090 3622 01525 242220 0333 370 2516

Transport Bus Passes

0845 521 2521

Community Transport Queries

Community Transport Hub

0800 085 8480

Blue Badge Scheme

General Enquiries Applications

01296 382902 0845 3708090

Benefits Personal Independence Payment Helpline

0345 850 3322

Attendance Allowance Helpline

0345 605 6053

Carers’ Allowance Unit

0345 608 4321

Pension Credit Claim Line

0800 99 1234

Future Pension Centre

0345 3000 168

Debt Advice

National Debt / Step Change

0800 138 1111

Accommodation Queries / Housing Related Support / Tenancy Sustainment support

The Elderly Accommodation Counsel First Stop Advice Bucks Floating Support

0800 377 7070 0707 820 1322 01296 484322

Housing Benefit

Local District Councils

Housing

General Numbers Bucks County Council

General Enquiries – Customer Services

01296 395000

Bucks Vision

01296 487556

Carers’ Bucks

01296 392711

Citizens Advice Bureau

Initial Enquiries – all areas

0344 411 1444

Local District Councils

Aylesbury Vale Wycombe Chiltern South Bucks

01296 585618 01494 421325 01494 732077 01895 837515

suppor ting older people since 1945

AUTUMN 2018 | 23

Helping your loved one keep their independence at home

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU

A unique, cost-effective way to keep your relative living life at home.

Helping your family member decide that they need a little extra help is not always easy. However, with the service of Mirror Care we can provide support and companionship whenever it’s needed and without being an overwhelming presence in the home.

mirrorcare.co.uk

24 hours a day 7 days a week

Have you made a Will? Do you want to learn more?

Helen Taylor TEP of Franklins Solicitors LLP provides details: Can you introduce thought that they have all their affairs yourself and tell in order and how relieved they are us what you do? knowing that their wishes will be met.

A Will allows you to appoint the I am a Partner in executors of your estate and those Franklins Solicitors chosen will ensure your estate is LLP and head up administered and your wishes carried both the private client and family out. It will allow you to state who will law teams across our Northampton benefit, by how much and for you and Milton Keynes offices. Initially to set out specific wishes (such as I practised as a barrister in London, funeral arrangements). but looking for more personal client contact, I requalified as a solicitor and in 2018 it will be my 20th year with the firm. I am a full member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and a fully accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE).

© iStock Photos

We are a friendly and approachable team and enjoy helping our clients plan for the future. Our work requires understanding and compassion and we are experienced in handling the sensitivities of making a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney. We take pride in guiding clients through the process in an understandable way and helping them to make informed decisions.

The offices work closely together and support each other in ensuring that our clients’ needs are met. The whole team, including support staff and trainee solicitors are Dementia Friends.

Without a properly drafted Will, your estate will have to be dealt with by the rules set out in law - the intestacy rules. It is a common misconception that couples who live together will inherit from their partner or that married couples will automatically inherit everything. This is not correct and most people are horrified when they hear how their estate will be divided under the intestacy rules.

Close friends, carers, godchildren and unmarried partners whether heterosexual or same sex will not benefit under these rules.

Can I not just write the Will myself?

In theory, there is nothing stopping you from writing your own Will.

However, this is a complex and intricate area of law and there are a number of legal formalities that must be complied with in order for the Will to take effect. It is advisable to use a solicitor experienced in this area, to make sure that the Will is drafted correctly in order to have the effect that you want and without any unintended consequences arising.

Sometimes it is not the drafting of the Will that is difficult but the advice and the decisions behind it.

If you have complex family circumstances (such as a 2nd marriage, children from different relationships or any family breakdown) or if you wish to include more complex provisions such as the use of trusts for tax purposes or the protection of your home or other assets, it is even more important to obtain specialist legal advice. We take pride in providing our clients with the best advice and service possible and to do this, we spend time getting to know our clients, understanding their personal circumstances and their family arrangements.

I have often found that a clear and valid Will helps provide directions, during what is such a difficult time, for those left behind.

Why is making a Will so important?

Understandably many people don’t like the thought of preparing a Will.

However, in my experience making a Will doesn’t have to be a sad or awkward time, clients often tell me how comforted they are by the

For a 10% discount on a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney please contact Helen Taylor, TEP by email Helen.Taylor@franklins-sols. co.uk or call 01908 660966 quoting discount code BUCKS10.

A carefully drafted Will can, in the right circumstances provide opportunities for the mitigation of inheritance tax. It can provide for vulnerable or disabled children whilst protecting their benefits and most

importantly, can give you peace of mind that your affairs are in order.

engage

Ask Julie Q

My husband has been in hospital for several weeks and I am worried about how we will manage when he is discharged home, as I am not in good health myself. Can you give me any advice?

A

© By Photgraphee.eu/shutterstock

Before your husband leaves hospital an assessment should be carried out by health and social care professionals to ensure he has appropriate support when he comes home. If he is eligible for support this could include aids or adaptations to make the home safer and easier to live in. This could be items such as grab rails or raised toilet seats

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to make every day activities safer for him to carry out.

If his needs are great enough, this support could also include reablement services or intermediate care which can be provided free of charge for up to six weeks. These services are provided in your own home and are aimed at encouraging and supporting people to re learn skills necessary for daily living. Care workers can help him build his confidence with tasks such as washing, dressing and getting around the home. At the end of the period, there would be a reassessment of his needs to see if he requires any longer term support at home.

If your husband requires district nursing support (for things such as dressing wounds), this should be arranged before he leaves hospital.

Are you in contact with Carers Bucks? They are an organisation that provides support for carers. If you are over 75, they have a Caring for Older Carers Service. They can support people who are looking after someone who cannot manage on their own. They can advise and guide you to ensure you get all the help and support you need.

They can be contacted on 0300 777 2722. You or/ and your husband maybe eligible to claim Attendance Allowance. This is awarded to people over state retirement age to enable them to stay independent in their own homes. You may be eligible for this benefit if either of you are struggling to manage your personal care needs due to illness or disability. It is

a tax – free benefit and if awarded you may become entitled to other benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax support. Attendance Allowance does not have to be spent on a carer – it is up to you how use it to help you remain independent in your home.

Further sources of information and advice available on www.ageuk.org.uk Factsheet number 37 Hospital Discharge There is also a useful guide: Your Hospital Stay. This tells you what to expect when going into hospital and when you are discharged.

If you would like a copy sent to you or you would like to receive more information about Welfare Benefits please contact us. Age UK Bucks Welfare Benefits advisers are able to support people to apply for Attendance Allowance.

Please ring 01296 431 911 for further information.

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

If you think a care home is inevitable...

Think again Dr Jim Morrisroe With an increasingly ageing population, you’d be forgiven for thinking that spending your twilight years in a residential care home is inevitable. Stick a pin in a map of South Bucks/ Chilterns and the chances are you’ll find one of the 50 plus residential care homes in the area. It’s the one thing that we’re not short of.

But what happens if you’ve reached that stage in life where you need care, but the only home you want to live in is your own? What happens of you enjoy your independence and home comforts, but need a little help around the house, or with the shopping? And what happens if you have a child or young adult with a disability and need a break now and again? Well, the good news is that you now have a choice.

A More Caring Approach...

Eden Care at Home, based in Gerrards Cross offer quality care at home for you, or your loved one, whether a child, young adult or an elderly person. Eden care’s management team have more than 50 years in the care sector and was established by Dr Jim Morrisroe.

Unique care Plan

Eden Care is committed to making a difference, helping their clients achieve optimum levels of independence, health and well-being. Together with their clients and their clients’ families they create a unique, tailored care-package focusing on each client’s individual needs and aspirations.

Live-in care or respite breaks At Eden Care they believe that getting old should not automatically mean moving into a care home. Most elderly people prefer to retain their independence, home comforts, social network and dignity by remaining in their own homes.

However, there are times when we all need a little extra help.

Eden Care offer a range of support from personal care, to help within the home and can also assist with attending appointments, running errands or offering companionship.

Whether you are looking for 24 hour support or a respite break from 30 minutes to a hour, up to 24 hours a day Eden Care can be there for you.

INDULGE

IN WHAT YOU LOVE

With our delicious frozen meals and desserts, prepared by award-winning chefs and delivered free by your local team, you’ve more time to enjoy doing the things you love.

For your free brochure visit wiltshirefarmfoods.com or call

OVER 300 DELICIOUS DISHES FREE FRIENDLY DELIVERY TRUSTED LOCAL SERVICE

01525 242220