Your Later Life - Q4 2020

Q4 / 2020 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT FROM MEDIAPLANET WHO TAKE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS CONTENTS

YOUR LATER LIFE

Full campaign on www.yourlaterlife.co.uk

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“We can all play a role in supporting older people this Christmas.”

Caroline Abrahams Charity Director, Age UK

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“Learning a new skill can be good for mental health and reducing anxiety.”

Sam Ward Director of Services and Deputy CEO, Royal Voluntary Service

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“Combatting lonlieness through social interraction.”

Charlie Bethel Chief Officer UK, Men’s Sheds Association

Marie Curie Ambassador Jim Carter OBE ©IMAGE PROVIDED BY MARIE CURIE

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IN THIS ISSUE

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“Top tips for carers on keeping connected during COVID-19.”

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Now more than ever, no one should have no one This year the threat of loneliness older people face is something else entirely, even from a distance, we can all play a role in supporting older people this Christmas.

Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK

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12

“Charities have been there for us - we need to be there for them.”

Rob Cope, Director, Remember A Charity

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“Helping savers make decisions for the future.”

Lizzy Holliday, Head of DC, Master Trusts & Lifetime Savings, PLSA Senior Project Manager: Ciara Barker ciara. barker@mediaplanet.com Project Manager: Jordan Bedford Business Development Manager: Roz Boldy Managing Director: Alex Williams Head of Business Development: Ellie McGregor Head of Production: Kirsty Elliott Designer: Thomas Kent Digital Manager: Harvey O’Donnell Paid Media Manager: Ella Wiseman Production Assistant: Henry Phillips Mediaplanet contact information: P:+44 (0) 203 642 0737 E: uk.info@mediaplanet.com All images supplied

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Please recycle

Caroline Abrahams Charity Director, Age UK

e are more worried than ever this year about loneliness among our older population. The coronavirus pandemic is adding insult to injury: it presents our older people with a potentially deadly threat, whilst also fuelling a process of enforced isolation as we strive to control its spread, putting many at great risk of loneliness. Loneliness is always a concern, to a degree, as winter comes in. Even at the best of times dark nights and bad weather make it hard for many older people to get out, reducing those casual contacts that help keep chronic loneliness at bay. But this year the threat of isolation they face is something else entirely.

Some older people have barely left their homes this year We have heard from older people who are too anxious about the risk of infection to venture out much at all, so for them ‘winter has come early’ and there’s no end yet in sight.

Some have barely left the sanctuary of their homes since the pandemic began. Even now, despite the promise of a vaccine, they probably face a good five months or so of being cooped up inside, often without the company they crave.

It’s true that many older people have benefited hugely from the ongoing support of family and friends during the pandemic

We have heard from older people who are too anxious about the risk of infection to venture out much at all, so for them ‘winter has come early’ and there’s no end yet in sight. and we’re immensely grateful for that. We also know from our research that anyone online has generally found it much easier to stay connected. Others live in friendly communities which have very kindly befriended the older people in their midst.

Unfortunately, this still leaves plenty of older people who are enduring the pandemic alone, and behind closed doors.

No one should have no one There are things we can all do to be of assistance and support to any older person who may be struggling – offering to pick up shopping or run errands, for example, as well as keeping in touch with older relatives and friends. But above all, in this exceptional year we are calling for donations, so we can respond to the many requests for our friendship and support that we know will just keep on coming as Christmas approaches, and so no older person need feel overlooked and alone.

This winter will be like no other, yet far too many older people are facing this challenging and uncertain time alone. For many older people, Age UK will be their lifeline this Christmas. Age UK is raising urgently needed funds so it can continue to be there for anyone who needs help: now more than ever, no one should have no one. Find out more or donate at ageuk.org.uk/ christmas-appeal

©MARIA SYMCHYCH-NAVROTSKA

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Read more at yourlaterlife.co.uk | 3

Conversations about death eases the pain Death is life’s only certainty, and yet the topic remains taboo. Our inability to talk about death and our funeral wishes could just be moving the pain further down the road.

I WRITTEN BY Kate Sharma

Encouraging people to talk These conversations need to happen sooner rather than later.

It’s estimated that only around 6% of Britons have a funeral plan2 and so most of us don’t consider the topic until we lose a close relative.

While it’s easy to see the practical and emotional benefits of planning in advance – those conversations still aren’t easy because they are about something that we all hate to imagine.

However, over the past few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has made death an imminent reality for all of us.

If you’d asked me 10 years ago if we’d be using the internet to offer funerals, I would have said no.

Paid for by Memoria

Understanding our options Hodgson also reports a change in attitudes toward funerals too. A YouGov poll conducted in 2019 reflects this with 32% of people reporting that they felt it was a solemn occasion while 44% felt a funeral should be a cause for celebration.3 While Hodgson hopes that we continue to be more open to discuss our funeral wishes, he acknowledges that there is one major problem - we just don’t know

©GREENLEAF123

Howard Hodgson CEO, Memoria & Low Cost Funeral by Memoria

n 2019, the Liverpool Law Review1 published a paper on the increase in family disputes over funeral arrangements. So perhaps families should have aired their views before it came to that?

However, as Howard Hodgson, a fourth-generation funeral director, who floated his first funeral business on the London Stock Exchange in 1986, knows that’s often easier said than done.

“Parents often organise a pre-paid funeral plan without consulting their children - they want to leave their money to them and so go for the cheapest option.

But then the children, who don’t necessarily want that when the time comes, are horrified. So, we all need to have at least one sensible conversation about it.” he explains.

A funeral should be what each family wants it to be and not a ‘one size fits all’ tragic conveyor belt. what our options are.

“People may not be arranging what they actually want, because they don’t realise what diverse choices they have,” confirms Hodgson, who is the CEO of Memoria’s 11 crematoria and memorial parks which offer families a wide range of options.

“A funeral should be what each family wants it to be and not a ‘one size fits all’ tragic conveyor belt,” he says. “Giving families what they want and treating them as you would want to be treated yourself was a good place for Memoria to start and that remains our mission and our achievement.”

Changing attitudes and perceptions Even with the current restrictions, families do have options and the pandemic may have forced us to think about how we might deal with death in new ways.

Until now, many of us may never have considered buying a fixed price funeral package online.

However, the internet is proving to be a powerful aid to those of us smart enough to use it to explore our options.

In 2016 Memoria set up ‘Low Cost Funeral by Memoria’ to offer diverse fixed price funeral packages online.

“If you’d asked me 10 years ago if we’d be using the internet to offer funerals, I would have said no. However, now it is becoming commonplace. Today people buy everything online and so they have learnt that they can search to find exactly what they want and at a price they want to pay – without leaving home and that’s hugely beneficial if you are bereaved,” says Hodgson.

He adds that, while financial savings can be made by buying an at need funeral or a pre-arranged plan online, it’s not an impersonal experience. “We find that the vast majority who do their research online then want to speak to someone in person to discuss the details of their bespoke needs,” he says.

References 1. Conway, H. ‘First Among Equals’: Breaking the Deadlock in Parental and Sibling Funeral Disputes. Liverpool Law Rev 39, 151–174 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10991-0189212-3 2. https://www.funeralguide.co.uk/funeral-planning-inthe-uk 3. https://yougov.co.uk/topics/philosophy/articles-reports/2019/02/04/britons-think-funerals-should-be-joyous-celebration

Read more at low-cost-funeral.co.uk

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Helping to keep people connected

This pandemic is robbing us of the opportunity to grieve together

Roy, 80, lives alone after losing his beloved wife, Maggie, over 12 years ago. He decided to join a telephone friendship service. He was feeling lonely not having much family who live nearby and few friends he could turn to.

This is such a difficult time for people who are grieving. However, we have no choice but to look to the future and think about the plans we’ll make to celebrate that person together, once all this is over.

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think looking to the future is going to lead to a few more creative expressions of grieving as we come out of lockdown. We might see a wider variety of locations and approaches to celebrating people who’ve died – having had the extra time to think about it and make it personal to them.

Roy Age UK Telephone Friendship Service User

I think looking to the future is going to lead to a few more creative expressions of grieving as we come out of lockdown.

Keeping connected over the phone For the last three years, through Age UK I’ve been chatting to a woman called Jeanette – she’s so lovely to talk to. We talk about everything. I was delighted straight away, right after our very first chat. It’s been great every day since! She phones every Wednesday, and it’s lovely to be able to just

On hold, not forgotten Time is no boundary to our ability to make peace with our losses.

I’m reminded of this story of a visitor we had at the Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff: One morning, a gentleman came to the front desk and asked to be shown around, because his mother had died there 30 years earlier. Born in Wales, he’d emigrated to Canada and hadn’t returned since, not even for his mother’s funeral. He was in London on business and he’d added an extra day to his trip to come to Cardiff, to see where she died all those years before.

He spent some time at the hospice, he went down to the beach, he wrote a eulogy in our visitors book. He was only in Cardiff for two hours, but for him that was huge on his journey of grief. He felt that finally he was at peace about it.

However distressing things are right now, we must all have faith that, in time, we’ll have the chance to find that peace too.

For the last three years, through Age UK I’ve been chatting to a woman called Jeanette – she’s so lovely to talk to. We talk about everything.

I was delighted straight away, right after our very first chat. talk to someone, especially as I love to chat.

I look forward to the calls very much. The calls make a hell of a difference.

Life is so lonely when you’re on your own.

When we hang up the phone, I always wish the conversations hadn’t ended. When I’m on my own, I can be really fed up and depressed sometimes. But if somebody picks up the phone or I ring somebody else, it’s a different me. To know that Age UK are there for me to reach out to if I’m feeling down, or miserable, it means a lot.

For many older people, Age UK will be their lifeline this Christmas. Age UK is raising urgently needed funds so it can continue to run its Telephone Friendship Service - now more than ever, no one should have no one. Donate at ageuk.org.uk/christmas-appeal Anyone who needs support, is worried about an older relative or friend or wants to find out more about Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Service can get in touch by calling Age UK Advice free of charge on 0800 169 6565 (8am-7pm) or visit ageuk.org.uk. Any older person looking for a cheerful chat can call The Silver Line’s free helpline, day or night, on 0800 470 80 90.

Marie Curie is campaigning for a National Day to #UniteInMemory of all the people who've lost their lives since the lockdown began. Sign the petition now.

If you want to talk to someone following a bereavement, we’re here for you.

Call us on 0800 090 2309 for free bereavement support.

©Daisy-Daisy

WRITTEN BY Claire Wretham Spiritual Care Coordinator, The Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff and the Vale

hen you lose your partner, you can eventually come to terms with it, but you never get over it.

Life’s very lonely until you find somebody, it can be difficult to feel so alone.

Even just going to the shops and someone saying “hello” can make your day go so much better.

Christmases are especially tough - Maggie used to make sure we had family time, which was really good. After she died, I had to try and get used to being alone. One year I wasn’t feeling well, so I stayed at home alone, and it meant that my only companion at Christmas was the TV. I was just on my own. It wasn’t easy. But that’s most days, not just Christmas.

It’s looking like I’ll be on my own again for Christmas this year.

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What it’s like to experience the Virtual Village Hall

Sue Pamphlett from Maidstone has been enjoying the Virtual Village Hall She says: “I have benefitted [from the Virtual Village Hall] a great deal. I love the gardening sessions and have made many of the things that Gemma Forde has demonstrated like body scrubs and reusable face cleansing cloths, and some of the cookery demonstrations.

The wide range of events on offer is fantastic. As a Guide leader, I have shared some of the ideas with our girls in weekly newsletters.

I would be very grateful if you could pass on our gratitude to all those responsible for the Virtual Village Hall which have been extremely well received during the difficult times over the last few months when so many people have had to spend so much time at home.”

©monkeybusinessimages

Two participants share their experiences of participating in their local virtual community group.

Get active and learn new skills at the Virtual Village Hall Virtual Village Hall offers a wide range of activities to take part in online, promoting wellbeing and keeping people active and occupied through the pandemic.

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Keeping active is so important for our health and wellbeing, particularly in these challenging times.

A quote from Royal Voluntary Service ambassador Elaine Paige OBE, who answered questions about her life in music and theatre at the Virtual Village Hall. She also hosted a singalong to her hit song, I Know Him So Well, as part of a celebration to thank volunteers for their service during Volunteers’ Week.

“I’m very proud to be a Royal Voluntary Service ambassador and was delighted to be invited to be a special guest at the Virtual Village Hall. Keeping active is so important for our health and wellbeing, particularly in these challenging times, and this has all sorts of fun activities to try at home.”

Elaine Paige OBE Royal Voluntary Service ambassador

Sam Ward Director of Services and Deputy CEO, Royal Voluntary Service

e’ve seen first-hand how people’s health and wellbeing is suffering due to the pandemic and have been carefully adapting our services so that we can continue to offer vital support.

In normal times, our volunteers would run hundreds of exercise and activity clubs up and down the country, providing people with the opportunity to stay active, socialise and try something new.

Creating a virtual community Knowing how important these groups are to participants, earlier this year we built a Virtual Village Hall. From Bollywood dancing to laughter yoga, and baking to Pilates, people can join in at home and also meet friends and share feedback on the sessions they take part in.

Sessions are led by expert tutors and you’ll even spot the odd TV and radio personality, like actress, singer and broadcaster Elaine Paige OBE, MasterChef winner Irini Tzortzoglou and BBC Radio 2’s allotment gardener, Terry Walton, who have all hosted Q&A’s or tutorials.

The COVID-19 pandemic has touched all of our lives and resulted in countless changes in our daily behaviour. Many of us feel that our old life has been put on hold, and that we can’t

do the things that kept us active and connected to others. In fact, our research earlier this year identified that almost three in 10 (29%) over 50s* had been unable to do any of the things they used to enjoy.

We hope that the Virtual Village Hall can help keep our bodies and minds active, and fill the gap left by the closure of so many clubs and groups. People can watch or take part in live sessions or catch up with a pre-recorded session at a time that is convenient to them.

Activities take place daily in the hall and are easy to search by theme, like health and wellbeing, exercise and dance, music and singing and gardening and nature. There aren’t many online resources where you can try learning to play ukulele, try a beginners’ ballets class or make a delicious meatball dish all in one place!

Getting immersed in learning a new skill can be really good for mental health and reducing anxiety, and with many of us spending a lot of time cooped up inside, it’s never been more important to prioritise wellbeing. *Statistics source: Royal Voluntary Service research in October 2020 of 2,724 respondents aged 50+ in the UK.

The Virtual Village Hall was designed by the Royal Voluntary Service, with generous support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery and offers over 150 fun and interesting activities to keep people active and occupied through the pandemic.

On the afternoon of Thursday 17th December, there will be a Christmas concert at the Virtual Village Hall, with an uplifting programme of festive musical performances, seasonal readings and messages.

To find out more visit: royalvoluntaryservice. org.uk/virtual-village-hall/

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Paid for by Asda

Why you should view your optician in a new light Booking an eye test may not always be easy in the age of coronavirus. But regular checks can pick up serious eye conditions — and systemic disorders such as hypertension and diabetes.

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hen was the last time you had your eyes tested? If the answer is ‘not for years’ or, worse, ‘never’, you need to book an appointment with an optometrist.

It’s true that this may be easier said than done during the pandemic; but everyone should have their eyes tested regularly for the good of their vision — but also for the good of their health.

Opticians are healthcare providers.

It’s just that, because they’re usually located on the high street, patients don’t often view them that way.

The fact is that an optometrist doesn’t simply check a patient’s vision. They will also check the health of their eyes to look for serious conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts.

Read more at opticians.asda.com

“I think most people tend to associate an eye test with buying new glasses or ordering more contact lenses,” says Sarah Joyce, Superintendent Optometrist, at Asda’s headquarters in Leeds. “So, they assume that as long as their sight is OK, they don’t need to bother with them. But the fact is that an optometrist doesn’t simply check a patient’s vision. They

will also check the health of their eyes to look for serious conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts. By studying the nerves and blood vessels in the eyes, they can also pick up systemic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension and even tumours in some cases. That’s why eyes tests are so important.”

Processes and precautions to keep customers safe During the first lockdown, Asda Opticians — which operates 156 opticians in its stores across the UK — limited appointments to patients who needed urgent care. “That was the right thing to do at the time,” says Joyce, “because it prevented unnecessary travelling and limited person-to-person contact.” But now, even though staff are working through a backlog of patients created by the pandemic, anyone who needs an appointment should be able to book one. “If you’re having to isolate and can’t see the optometrist face-to-face, you should still arrange a telephone consultation so you can be supported and managed in the right way if you are having any problems,” says Joyce.

Another reason why numbers of eye tests have fallen this year is that many patients — and particularly ones in later life — didn’t book appointments for fear of catching

Sarah Joyce Superintendent Optometrist, Asda

Written by: Tony Greenway

the virus. Joyce understands their concern because, as anyone who has visited an optometrist knows, social distancing isn’t an option during the eye test itself.

Still, she points out that there are processes and precautions that opticians have put in place to safeguard their customers as much as possible. For example, there are screens in the dispensing areas and on pieces of equipment used in the testing rooms, and strict booking system have been implemented to prevent customers coming into the store to browse for new frames, allowing us to control numbers of customers on department and significnat infection control processes.

Frequent checks can pick up age-related eye conditions The bottom line is that regular eye testing is essential for all. Take glaucoma, because it progresses slowly it’s not uncommon for patients to be unaware that they have it — and, if left untreated, it can cause blindness. Similarly, frequent checks can pick up macular degeneration, be it the wet type (the most serious kind) or the dry type. Catching it early enough may save your sight.

“The key with glaucoma, macular degeneration or cataracts is regular testing,” says Joyce. “Or if you notice symptoms such as an eye that is red or painful, or you have any changes in your vision — such as loss of vision, double vision, distortion in your vision or flashing lights — then make an appointment to see your optometrist immediately. Also, when you ring to make a booking, let them know so you can be triaged with the appropriate urgency. But do something about it. Don’t ignore it, quick intervention will always lead to the best outcome”.

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ourglass, the UK’s only charity focused exclusively on elder abuse and safer ageing is leading the way in making this unthinkable issue as unacceptable as child abuse or animal cruelty. It’s all too easy to look the other way and even easier to see this as someone else’s problem, but as we live longer, we all need to do our bit to protect older people.

There is a common misconception that domestic abuse ends at age 60.

There’s also confusion about what ‘elder abuse’ actually is. So, this year Hourglass refocused its efforts on a safer ageing agenda. This ensures older people subjected to abuse, harm, intimidation, scams, or fraud know that Hourglass is there to listen, advise and support. After all, we are all going to get older and Hourglass believes everyone should be able to age safely.

Hourglass runs the UK’s only 9am to 5pm elder abuse helpline, instant messenger and text service.

This year, it has launched the first online Knowledge Bank to further expand access to the charity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the national lockdown and the pressure cooker environment it created, we saw calls to the helpline increase as older people were often trapped with their abuser.

Sadly, this unique helpline and messaging service are only open during office hours and we desperately need to make this a 24/7 operation. We get almost 10,000 calls a year but nearly 20% of these cannot currently be answered as they are outside working hours. You can help Hourglass be there for every out of hours caller, it could literally be a life saver.

Staying connected when you are caring this Christmas If you’ve cared for a loved one this year – a relative or friend who is older, disabled or seriously ill – there’s no doubt it has been an incredibly challenging time keeping that person safe and well during the COVID-19 pandemic.

T Helen Walker Chief Executive, Carers UK

he majority of carers (81%) have been taking on more care for loved ones, while getting limited support from family members and friends due to the limitations on household mixing. Face-to-face support services in the community – such as day centres and support groups – have reduced their services significantly or closed completely.

This is putting huge pressure on carers and meaning many more are caring round the clock.

Tackling isolation Managing a significant caring role for a loved one and going months on end without support is also an incredibly isolating experience for carers. In a recent survey of carers, half (48%) told Carers UK that they felt lonely and cut off from people, and only 30% reported having a network of people around them to support them.

Carers who were struggling financially were more likely to be facing loneliness with 62% saying they feel lonely and cut off from people.

Caring doesn’t stop for Christmas We know caring can be 24/7, 365 days a year, and it doesn’t stop for Christmas.

This year’s festive period is going to be even more challenging than normal, with some restrictions from the last nine

After what has been a relentless year, the holiday season doesn’t look much easier so it’s crucial as a carer you make time for yourself. months sure to be still in place.

It is unlikely that families will be able to mingle as they normally would and so caring for someone could feel more isolating than usual, especially if you’re taking extra precautions over the winter to keep the person you care for safe from COVID-19.

After what has been a relentless year, the holiday season doesn’t look much easier so it’s crucial as a carer you make time for yourself.

Keeping in touch Staying connected and keeping in touch with others this winter is vital to looking after your wellbeing. Reach out to neighbours and people you trust locally to support you with what you need.

If you’re not able to see all the family members you would like to over the Christmas break, why not schedule a video call or phone call so you can enjoy a mince pie together and catch up.

When you’re feeling alone, talking about it with someone who understands can be a huge release. Call a friend or visit Carers UK’s online forum at carersuk.org/forum Our ‘Care for a Cuppa’ video chats are virtual spaces where you can connect with other carers facing similar challenges at the moment.

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Innovation of care homes should be praised Care homes have been at the sharp end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the pressures have been well reported, the great innovation displayed by many providers should also be recognised.

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Kay Cox Chief Operating Officer, Signature Senior Lifestyle

Paid for by Signature Senior Lifestyle

s far back as April, the Office of National Statistics reported 83% more deaths from dementia,1 as a result of the negative impact of isolation and the onset of depression in those who have been forced to shield from their loved ones.

“Visits are a lifeline to our residents. When that was taken away the psychological impact was really hard,” confirms Kay Cox, Chief Operating Officer at Signature Senior Lifestyle, who provide assisted living, nursing and dementia care. “Interaction and activities form the basis of physical and mental wellbeing in our homes, so the challenge has been how we can continue to do these in safe ways.”

Availability of rapid response tests Like the rest of the world, the care home operator has turned to technology by using software such as Microsoft Teams, Facebook Portal and Zoom to help keep families connected. While well received, this is no substitute for face-to-face contact.

The Government announced on the 1st December that lateral flow COVID-19 tests would be sent to 15,000 care homes before Christmas. Signature are already offering rapid 15-minute COVID-19 antigen tests for family and friends visiting all of their homes.

Kay confirms: “We sourced our own tests before the Government roll out so could accommodate safe visiting throughout the summer as we knew how important it was – when most homes couldn’t accommodate it, we were ahead of the curve.”

“For families, the impact was instantaneous. It’s given them such peace of mind,” adds Kay. “While

PPE still has to be worn and social distancing observed, we are doing everything in our power to allow visits to take place with dignity and a sense of normality.”

Staying connected to those we love is really the best Christmas gift of all.

Timing is crucial Loneliness and isolation are exacerbated during the cold, dark winter months, so the timing of the tests has been crucial. Staying connected to those we love is really the best Christmas gift of all.

The announcement that a vaccine rollout will start imminently, with care home workers and residents at the top of the list, has also helped to boost spirits.

Beyond this, Kay also believes that the changes they’ve made throughout the pandemic will ensure that care homes will be even more desirable in the future.

“We’ve certainly accelerated innovation,” says Kay. “We’ve listened closely to our residents and invested in technology and developed new activities, which will make our homes even better in the future.”

Written by Kate Sharma References 1. www.alzheimers.org.uk/news/2020-06-05/thousands-people-dementia-dying-ordeteriorating-not-just-coronavirus-isolation

Signature Senior Lifestyle Signature offers luxury assisted living, nursing and dementia care in 13 locations across London and the home counties. Residential care at Signature is designed around each individual’s specific needs and preferences.

The team pride themselves on ensuring the independence, dignity and respect of all their residents. signature-carehomes.co.uk

We know caring can be 24/7, 365 days a year, and it doesn’t stop for Christmas. ~ Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK

©Kiwis

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Top tips for carers on keeping connected during COVID-19

Adding years to life and life to years Over 15,000 men attended a Men’s Shed every week before lockdown, where did they all go?

“I

’ve been given a second life, I come to my Shed and I can forget about being lonely,’ says Bill, who joined a Shed following the death of his wife of 61 years.

But what can you do when lockdown comes crashing down and takes away your social connections?

Combatting loneliness through social interaction Men’s Sheds are well known for social connectivity, particularly with the older generation. Their research has shown a staggering 96% reduction in loneliness* after people joined a Shed.

The impact on young and old is remarkable, with the same survey showing a 75% reduction in anxiety. It further indicated an 89% reduction in loneliness across the same sample of people after they joined a Shed.

The isolation many of us have felt during this time is not a new issue for unpaid carers.

If you’re caring for someone, it’s important to try to not let your own needs slip. Take time to look after yourself and make sure you feel connected with those around you.

W

hile COVID-19 and the lockdown have brought challenges for many of us, it is fair to say it has been an especially challenging time for unpaid carers looking after a family member or friend who is older, disabled or living with a physical or mental illness.

If you’re caring for someone, it’s important to try to not let your own needs slip – take time to look after yourself and make sure you feel connected with those around you. Why not try the following suggestions to stay in touch with the people you know?

WRITTEN BY Helen Walker Chief Executive, Carers UK

Make time to call family and friends It’s reassuring to know that, during this time, it is possible to communicate easily, even from far away.

Making time to pick up the phone to call family members, or friends you haven’t spoken to in a while, can help.

Carers have been quick to make use of video conferencing services to communicate with friends and family living elsewhere – instant messaging apps are also popular.

New ways to support during lockdown Whilst the physical connections, such as working shoulder to shoulder and a chat over a cup of tea, may have been put on hold, Sheds continued to do their thing during lockdown; looking out for each other.

Men’s Sheds turned their attention from the workbench to their phones, computers and radios as they embarked on a journey of discovery through video and conference calls to keep connected.

Those who couldn’t use smart phones or the internet, have been telephoned regularly or might even attend picnics in the park, weather permitting.

Reach out to your neighbours The ‘circle of care’ for many carers and the people they are looking after has become bigger thanks to community responses to coronavirus, with neighbours coming forward to help unpaid carers with accessing food, other supplies and providing moral support too.

Reach out to your neighbours if you haven’t already and let them know that you need help on an ongoing basis – they may be able to lend a helping hand.

Bringing support to those in need Sadly, the lack of comradery hits people, such as Tom, whose deterioration through Parkinson’s had paused when he joined Dalbeattie Shed in Kirkcudbrightshire two years ago.

Tom’s passion was the rebuilding of a car called the Skeoch, with his son in law and fellow Shedders.

Lockdown set Tom back and his health deteriorated, much to the concern of his wife and friends.

As Tom couldn’t go to the Shed, his friends decided to bring the Shed to Tom. Tom not only finished the project, but he, himself, was also transformed back to a state of happiness and delight.

Sheds certainly find a way.

WRITTEN BY

Read more at yourlaterlife.co.uk

©FIZKES

Charlie Bethel Chief Officer UK, Men’s Sheds Association

Connecting with others Talking about and sharing your feelings with someone who understands can be a massive relief and release.

Carers have been making use of supportive online groups and sources of help, including Carers UK’s online forum and our Care for a Cuppa video chats, where you can connect with other carers facing similar challenges at the moment.

It’s reassuring to know that, during this time, it is possible to communicate easily, even from far away.

Look after yourself Don’t forget to take time for you. Combat any rising anxiety levels by setting a strict time limit on how much you read about coronavirus on social media and in the news.

Make sure to allocate a time slot in your day for an activity you enjoy – whether it’s to read, write, paint, cook, do some gardening or knit.

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Read more at yourlaterlife.co.uk | 11

Men’s Sheds are well known for social connectivity, particularly with the older generation. Their research has shown a staggering 96% reduction in loneliness* after people joined a Shed. ~ Charlie Bethel, Chief Officer UK, Men’s Sheds Association

©IMAGE PROVIDED BY MENS SHEDS ASSOCIATIONS

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Charities are struggling.

Support them with a gift in your Will

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The coronavirus pandemic has had a drastic impact on the finances of charities. That’s why leaving a gift to a good cause in your Will is more important than ever.

E

very part of society has been badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. That includes the charity sector, which has struggled financially through this relentlessly grim period.

The truth is that, over the last 10 months, charities have faced a devastating dilemma. On the one hand, they couldn’t simply stop working during lockdown because poverty, illness and other issues that charities aim to address never take a break. Even before the pandemic struck, charitable services — from food banks to homeless shelters and cancer care — had seen a spike in demand.

When the coronavirus hit, that demand increased even further.

On the other hand, charities haven’t been able to fundraise in the way they did. Supporters can’t take part in marathons, fun runs and other challenge events; charity shops had to close during lockdown and volunteers couldn’t host coffee mornings and other fundraising events in the community. As a result, the sector’s finances have been drastically reduced.

Rob Cope Director, Remember a Charity Written by: Tony Greenway

Read more at yourlaterlife.co.uk

©dragana991

Why charities are relying on gifts in Wills to survive “Charities find themselves having to do even more than before, but with less money than ever,” says Rob Cope, Director of Remember A Charity, a consortium of charities set up to encourage legacy giving. “One in 10 are now at risk of permanent closure. That’s a scary thought.”

It’s also why there’s never been a more important time to leave a gift in your Will to a charity (or charities) of your choice. “Over the last year, many charities have relied on donations in Wills for nearly all of their income,” stresses Cope. “So, thank goodness for the kindness of those people who decided to leave them

Even before the pandemic struck, charitable services — from food banks to homeless shelters and cancer care — had seen a spike in demand. When the coronavirus hit, that demand increased even further. a gift in this way, because it’s been a lifeline. Their generosity hasn’t just helped charities. It’s kept them afloat. Going forward, gifts in Wills will be the cornerstone of the sector’s economic recovery.”

Charities have been there for us – we need to be there for them

Leaving a gift in your Will is a way to say ‘thank you’ to a charity for its hard work and dedication, particularly if it has helped you in some way during your lifetime. It’s also very easy to do, so Cope’s message is don’t put it off — act now. Even a small gift can make a big difference. “Charities are the foundation of society,” he says. “They act as a safety net in times of crisis.”

Now that charities are facing a crisis of their own, we need to step up — otherwise the reality is that many will cease to exist.

“By supporting charities, you’re actually supporting the people and communities who rely on them,” he says. “Leaving a gift in your Will gives charities a chance to be financially resilient and continue to help the next generation.”

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Read more at yourlaterlife.co.uk | 13

OUR SCIENTISTS VOW TO UPHOLD YOUR LEGACY

N AT I O N A L FREE WILLS NETWORK

Remember Brain Tumour Research in your Will and your kindness will provide hope to thousands. www.braintumourresearch.org/legacy legacy@braintumourresearch.org 01908 867200 Please tell us where you saw this advert when responding Registered charity number 1153487 (England and Wales) SC046840 (Scotland)

Writing

brighter futures

Poverty has a devastating effect on children.

But a gift in your will could change this.

You could stop poverty from scarring a generation of children.

And give them a safe and happy childhood.

Transform children’s futures. actionforchildren.org.uk/transform Over the last year, many charities have relied on donations in Wills for nearly all of their income.

So, thank goodness for the kindness of those people who decided to leave them a gift in this way, because it’s been a lifeline. Their generosity hasn’t just helped charities. It’s kept them afloat.

Registered charity nos. 1097940/SC038092. Company no. 4764232. © Action for Children 2020. 1552.

©Prostock-Studio

~ Rob Cope, Director, Remember A Charity

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Pension dashboards will clear the fog of uncertainty for savers

Over 14 million savers can now picture their futures

How many of us really know what we have in our pension pots? Well, pensions dasboards will soon make it much easier to find out.

When under a quarter (23%) of savers surveyed previously told us they are confident they know how much they need to save for retirement, it didn’t make for good bedtime reading.

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e launched the Retirement Living Standards scheme last year, and now over 14 million savers have access to them. It is made possible because pension schemes, and some 53 organsations, are using the Standards to help people plan their savings.

O

n average people have over 10 jobs during the course of their lifetime. Thanks to the very successful policy of automatically enrolling most people into a workplace pension, they are likely to have a separate workplace pension with each employer. Not surprisingly, many people struggle to keep track of their pensions with the result that they often do not know how much money they have saved.

Pension dashboards will transform the experience of pension saving by enabling savers to see the overall value of all their different pension entitlements, including the State Pension, online and in a single place.

Understanding how much you need for retirement There are three Retirement Living Standards – minimum, moderate and comfortable.

They were developed in partnership with independent researchers at Loughborough University. Loughborough examined and developed, with the general public, detailed baskets of goods and services – and then calculated the annual costs for each living standard.

The good news here is that, due to most people achieveing the full state pension of just over £9k per annum, achieveing the minimum lifestyle will happen without too much effort. But for those wanting to be a bit more comfortable in their retirements that is where extra attention needs to take place.

The Standards themselves include household bills and maintenance, clothing, transport and a whole lot more.

A ‘minimum’ lifestyle would be £10k for singles and £15K for couples. This would cover all your needs, with some left over for fun and social occasions. You could holiday in the UK, eat out about once a month, cover DIY maintenance and decorate one room a year and do some affordable leisure activities about twice a week.

A ‘moderate’ lifestyle - £20k for singles, £30k for couples – would provide more

Lizzie Holliday Head of DC, Master Trusts and Lifetime Saving, PLSA

The challenges of implementation The challenge ahead is the creation of the “financial plumbing” that will connect the many thousands of pension schemes in the UK with the pension saver.

Once the “financial plumbing” is established it will be necessary to ensure that the data about everyone’s pension savings is accurate and comparable. This sounds like a straight forward task but currently pension schemes use different ways of estimating future pension income. This can depend on a wide variety of assumptions such as the investments chosen, how long people will live, and how a person will draw their pension.

Fortunately, the Money and Pensions Services’ Pension Dashboards Programme has set a realistic timeframe to enable these sorts of issues to be ironed out. Savers will be able to use dashboards from 2023.

What happens next?

The Government is currently taking a Bill through Parliament which will make it compulsory for all schemes to provide the pension information needed for savers to see their overall pension saving on pension dashboards.

This Bill should be in law by the end of the year and it will be followed next year by detailed regulations. In the meantime, pension schemes will be busy preparing their data and systems so that the majority will be ready to join the first pensions dashboards when they start to operate in 2023.

Nigel Peaple Director of Policy and Research, PLSA

Look out for the full detailed basket of goods and figures, to see what you’d like to personalise at retirementlivingstandards.org.uk

©RAWPIXEL

WRITTEN BY

The good news here is that, due to most people achieveing the full state pension of just over £9k per annum, achieveing the minimum lifestyle will happen without too much effort. financial security and flexibility. You could have a foreign holiday, eat out a few times a month, have help with decorating and run a car.

A ‘comfortable’ lifestyle – £30k for singles, £45k for couples – will allow allow you to be more spontaneous with your money. You could have a subscription to a streaming service, regular beauty treatments, replace bathroom or kitchen every 10 to 15 years and two foreign holidays a year.

Helping savers make decisions for the future Saving and planning for retirement is a challenging business, particularly now. But, the Standards provide a practical benchmark for all. Picturing and quantifying the outcome you want from your pension saving is key to informing financial decisions savers need to make now.

Speak to your pension provider or financial adviser about how they can help you to use these Standards to plan you pension saving.

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Planning for death: What Jim Carter learnt from losing his parents

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a lot of upset. You ask yourselves: ‘Well, what music does she want at her funeral? What should we do?’

When people want to grieve, they don’t want to be bogged down in the petty details. Make a Will.”

Don’t think [talking about death] has to be depressing. I think it really helps if you can talk about it and prepare.

©Halfpoint

Downton Abbey star Jim Carter OBE reveals how his father’s death when he was a teenager shaped his own end of life plans.

e probably know him best as Downton Abbey’s loyal butler, Mr Carson – a man who never likes to share his feelings or talk about private matters. But actor Jim Carter OBE wants to do the opposite. He’s a vocal supporter of Marie Curie’s Talkabout campaign to break the taboo about the subject so many of us shy away from – dying.

Some people are very superstitious and can’t bring themselves to talk about death they think that not talking about death is a loving act. I don’t think that’s true, because if you don’t talk about it, you don’t prepare.

Planning and preparing “I don’t think [talking about death] has to be depressing,” says Jim. “I think it really helps if you can talk about it and prepare. We all know that we’re going to die – I don’t wish to sound hard-hearted, just pragmatic.

“Thinking about my mum, when she was in her 90s, she said to me: ‘Look, I just want to see Jessica Ennis win a gold medal at the London Olympics.’ She saw that, then she got up to being 100 and we had a wonderful family celebration. She died six months later. But she had planned for her funeral, she’d said what music she wanted to be played and had even written a poem to be read out on the day. It made us all feel that she was very much part of the occasion and that we were remembering her as she would have wanted to be remembered.

“Some people are very superstitious and can’t bring themselves to talk about death they think that not talking about death is a loving act. I don’t think that’s true, because if you don’t talk about it, you don’t prepare. It can cause a lot of regret, a lot of anger,

Jim Carter OBE Marie Curie Ambassador

Emotional fallout “My dad’s death was a shock. It came out of the blue. I was 16, my sister was 11, my brother was 19. It affected us all differently. We didn’t talk about it and my sister wasn’t allowed to go to the funeral. I think the thinking was that she would be saved from trauma, but, actually, it has caused a lot of problems.

She felt she was excluded from the grieving process. That still has an effect today.

“Whereas my mum’s death was all open and prepared for, so there’s no emotional fallout from that. Fifty-odd years after my dad’s death, there’s still emotional fallout because of the way it was handled.

Maybe witnessing his death and my grandparents’ deaths – all before the age of 60 – made me feel more pragmatic about it. I don’t wish to seem callous; I just accept death as a fact of life.

“If you can’t say the word ‘death’, it doesn’t matter if you say, ‘passed away’ or ‘popped his clogs’, that doesn’t matter, just talk about it and it becomes less frightening.”

The Marie Curie Talkabout campaign aims to get people thinking, talking and planning for the end of life. There is a wealth of information on their website including conversation cards, checklists and advice. Visit mariecurie.org.uk/talkabout If you, or someone you know, is affected by a terminal illness, dying, death or bereavement, then the Marie Curie Support Line team are ready to help, seven days a week, with practical information and emotional support when you need it, including a bereavement support service. Call free 0800 090 2309 or visit mariecurie.org.uk

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A toddler’s journey to recovery How including a gift in your Will to Unicef UK can help save children’s lives in South Sudan with therapeutic food.

I

Paid for by Unicef UK

Helping to tackle malnutrition Concerned for Akot’s life, his mother took him to a nutrition centre, supported by Unicef. There he was diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition.

Severe acute malnutrition is a serious condition which often leads to death. In South Sudan, over 250,000 children under the age of five suffered from the condition in 2019. The prolonged food insecurity in South Sudan now means that more than six million people have no idea when or where their next meal will come from.

For children like Akot to grow and develop, they need food with the right mix of nutrients. But when food insecurity is high, you eat what you can get.

Akot was given antibiotics for his infections and special therapeutic food to treat the malnutrition.

In just eight weeks, his weight increased from 6.3 kg to 7.3 kg.

The therapeutic food Akot received is designed to

©UNICEF/WILSON

Jenny Kronbergs Head of Gifts in Wills, Unicef UK

All the stress I was experiencing is now gone. I’m still so poor that I can’t even buy soap, but I’m just smiling. treat acute malnutrition among children. It’s based on peanuts which are turned into a paste and enriched with dried skimmed milk, oil, sugar, and a combination of vitamins and minerals. The sugar, as well as adding calories, makes it appealing for children who’ve lost their appetite, which often happens when severely malnourished. With this treatment, children usually bounce back to a healthy weight in six to eight weeks.

Empowering people by providing support “My heart is so happy. He wants to stand and walk and play,” Anyang says as she watches her son study a green leaf from the mango tree.

“Now I am able to move about freely. I can go to the market to sell some things but before I do that, I’ll prepare porridge for him then go to the market. At two, I come back and cook lunch. Before, I was not able to leave him at home and I didn’t earn any money.”

“All the stress I was experiencing is now gone. I’m still so poor that I can’t even buy soap, but I’m just smiling.”

“When Akot is old enough I will take him to school.

I hope he becomes a nutritionist, so other children can get help, just like he did.”

Thanks to life-saving treatment from a Unicefsupported nutrition programme, Akot put on 1kg in just eight weeks. He is now a healthy 17-month-old toddler.

©UNICEF/WILSON

WRITTEN BY

n the city of Aweil, South Sudan, Akot stirs an enormous pot filled with peeled peanuts.

Nowadays, the world is an exciting place for Akot. Every flower can be sniffed, and every leaf is a potential toy – his world has no boundaries.

Just eight weeks ago, things were very different. For months, Akot had a raging fever and was impossible to comfort. His mother, Anyang, was already struggling to afford food for her family. Now she could no longer work.

Anyang’s family used to own a patch of land where they grew vegetables. The conflict in South Sudan forced them to move. No longer self-sufficient, the family needed more income to survive.

“To get my child porridge I have to go to the market to earn a living. However, I have not been able to do this recently because of my child’s illness. As a result, I have not been able to buy food for my children.”

With a gift in your Will, Unicef can continue to support 1,100 nutrition centres across South Sudan – saving the lives of thousands of children like Akot. Join the Unicef community today. Search “UNICEF LEGACY” to get your free Gifts in Wills guide.

Join the Unicef community unicef.uk/ giftinwills