Not at Home Alone: Inside
Not at Home Alone: Inside
Not at Home Alone: Inside
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The newspaper of Age Concern Kingston upon Thames
INSIDE:
Moving on page 7
Relationships
Chessington provides a safe and tranquil environment for people living with dementia, with a beautiful purpose-designed garden. Often dismissed as outdated or not what people want, the importance of services like these is evident from messages of thanks which decorate the walls of the Raleigh managers office. Thank you all for the care and attention to my parents this year, writes one carer, You have made a real difference to their lives as they were really missing out on the social side of life before they started at Raleigh House as they only moved to New Malden just under four year ago so The success and continuing popularity of these services are due to the strong relationships that are developed within them, and with their local communities. They are repositories of knowledge and expertise. And they are asset-based, strengthened by the networks of support that volunteers bring, working with users in ways which make them feel valued and appreciated. As Maria says: Raleigh House is a community worth being part of its a nice environment, it changes my attitude, you see, otherwise I will stay at home and feel more pain it doesnt seem to hurt as much when you get to be with people.
Struggle
Maria goes to Raleigh House: I work on my crafts as well as play scrabble and word games its so helpful because I still struggle with spelling and recognising numbers. Being part of a group makes me very happy. I have one useless arm that I cannot move since the stroke, the craft group members dont mind, in fact one of them joked that I could use it as a paperweight for my work! Kingston is unique in having three, modern, attractive and well-equipped centres where people can go to socialise, enjoy themselves and learn
new things. These centres are at the heart of the planned new Kingston at Home model of care. Raleigh House in New Malden looks from the front like a large suburban family house the generous and colourful spaces at the rear come as a surprise. The Bradbury in Kingston is a new purpose-built centre, at the heart of which is a caf whose coffee and home-baked cakes would give Costa a run for its money. Anything but institutional, the buzz within puts a smile on the face of visitors immediately and the passion of the staff is palpable. Amy Woodgate in
Listening to you
a real tribute to the dedication of the staff and volunteers who deliver the service. The Charity Awards are widely recognised as the Oscars of the charity sector, representing Measurable some of the finest examples of best practice and success from Stay Well has already achieved national recognition organisations big and small. Stay Well at Home has been two years ago it was shortlisted from hundreds of praised in a parliamentary entries in the social care and report on housing and care welfare category alongside just for older people. two other charities. Commenting on the news ACKs Chief Executive Shane Excellence Brennan said: Its great to be Projects have to evidence shortlisted, but what really how they meet ten hallmarks matters is that the Stay Well of excellence, including service makes a real and innovation, leadership, measurable difference to effectiveness and older peoples ability to stay independent and enjoy good accountability. Age Concern quality of life. This accolade is Kingston was judged against How to contact us: Age Concern Kingston upon Thames 14 Nelson Road, New Malden, KT3 5EA t: 020 8942 8256 e: [email protected] w: www.ageconcernkingston.org twitter: @agekingston agenda news email: [email protected]
The views expressed in agenda news are not necessarily those of the trustees, staff or volunteers. Published by Age Concern Kingston upon Thames. Registered charity no. 299988 Company no. 2272550 Design: Eileen Higgins, e: [email protected] Print: Park Communications Ltd, t: 020 70556500. Printed on 100% recycled paper
stiff competition by an 11-strong panel of experts across a variety of fields, including the chief executive of the Charities Aid Foundation Dr John Low; founding director of the Clore Social Leadership Programme Dame Mary Marsh; Danielle Walker Palmour, director of the Friends Provident Foundation, and Sir Christopher Kelly, chair of the Kings Fund. The judging panel was chaired by Andrew Hind, editor of Charity Finance. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel on the night of Thursday 13 June, hosted by comedienne, Sally Phillips.
In the spring, Age Concern Kingston hosted a public meeting to listen to what you had to say about what makes later life a greater life. The event was a success, those who attended spoke honestly about their experience of later life and what improvements could be made. There was consensus from those taking part about the factors which ensured a good quality of life. Being mobile (good transport), keeping social and active, seeing family and friends, having the right information and support and maintaining good health were highlighted. The combination of all of these things meant that life could still be creative, fun and purposeful. However, whilst people endeavour to live in this way, participants agreed that there are certain barriers and limitations that get in the way. Problems with accessing transport, access to information and advice and finding opportunities to keep social and active were issues which provided significant frustration to many. These findings wont be new to readers they are issues which come up again and again. ACK will continue to work with your feedback to help shape and develop services, and influence commissioners. A summary report is available on our website www.ageconcernkingston.org. If you have any comments or feedback in response to the report then please contact us.
Wendy Woods
As agenda news goes to press we are saddened to hear that Wendy has passed away. Wendy spent her life campaigning against imprisonment of political detainees and fighting the injustice of apartheid in South Africa. On exile to the UK, Wendy continued working for various charities, including chairing the trustee board at Age Concern Kingston. From 2003, she was founder and chair of the Donald Woods Foundation, doing vital work in the poverty-stricken Transkei region of the Eastern Cape. She will be greatly missed.
Who we are
We are a leading independent charitable organisation dedicated to working with people in south west London. Kingston upon Thames We have 65 years of experience of supporting older people and carers to live safely and independently in their own homes and over the years have won awards for this, the most recent being the Guardian Award for Care of Older People 2011. Our vision is to make later life a greater life. We have a history of working in innovative ways with local people to deliver the services that they want, and of working in partnership. We provide a range of community-based services which help and support people to live in their own homes. These include Information, Advice and Advocacy; practical help in the home (e.g. Handyperson services, cleaning and domestic help, shopping, support after a hospital stay) and social activities (social centres, lunch clubs, telephone befriending, dementia club). These services are accessed by hundreds of older people and carers each year. Our workforce of 50 staff is supported by 150 trained volunteers who add value and huge commitment to all the services we provide.
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Letters
Whilst people are still in this world they need to be treated with respect. I was a nurse in the 50s and we had a Matron and ward sisters. The matron gave the orders and it was her job to check up on the general care given in the hospital. No one would ever let people suffer knowingly, even if we were exhausted and under staffed it just wasnt heard of then. Things have really changed when I first started the NHS had only been set up two years before; all of the doctors and nurses were enthusiastic and really cared for each patient. It was a great moment when our hospital opened its doors to treat the poorer people in London, who had been suffering for years with illnesses and infections without treatment. We were working in less than perfect conditions then; the buildings were old and equipment was limited but we did our best for each patient. I have to admit that the Health and Safety regulations today do make sense; when I did my training if you werent able to lift a man up from lying to sitting you couldnt carry on your nursing training but I wonder where the Health and Safety measures have gone to keep patients safe and well looked after? Helen, New Malden
Please send your letters & feedback to agenda news Age Concern Kingston upon Thames 14 Nelson Road, New Malden, KT3 5EA or send an email to [email protected]
Agenda editorial
Mid Staffs NHS scandal Getting the right information is key why werent the staff Women first received the right Single mothers suffered as listened to? to vote 85 years ago. Since then, they were expected to work,
society has made incredible progress in creating gender equality. However, growing pension disparities highlight the need to revisit the state of womens rights. When I was younger, the state system was designed for women to be housewives and working women received lower wages. I became a teacher because it was one of the few professions which offered financial equality. We received equal pay and we all paid 6% to our pension and local authorities paid a further 7%. Despite this, women still suffered as most working, married women would take this out as a lump sum, or opt to pay the cheaper NICS contribution. These women were then left with only a small state retirement pension of about 35 a week. pay their pensions, save for retirement as well as support their children through education. How are single mothers expected to handle this immense responsibility today, if policies intended to provide support, such as SERPS for widows, has been cut by 50%, while prices keep rising? It is clear that we have been, and are, lacking in accessibility to information and financial education in the secondary school curricula. This is imperative to preventing anyone, man or woman, from facing a lower retirement income in the future. If I had been given the right information, I would have remained a teacher with a final salary scheme paying 132 a month for each 10,000 made. If only Id known! Christina Gore, Richmond
Intergenerational
The vast majority of young people dont believe older people should be worse off; indeed generally they feel people in retirement should have a secure, safe and worry free existence. Nor do most older people feel that younger folk live the life of Reilly or have it too good! Indeed, most people have real concerns for the future, not only for their grandchildren, but also for younger people in general from the costs of gaining a higher education to the very real reality of long-term unemployment. A government minister said recently that those pensioners who have too much money should give it back. Why keep this just to pensioners? Why not ask all those who have too much to give more to the government? Theyre easy to identify The Sunday Times produces a rich list every year! Clearly ridiculous. In the midst of this recession, essentially this debate is about setting one section of society against another, by creating perceptions that one group is somehow benefiting at the expense of the other. Of course there are rich individual pensioners but this does not justify the reduction or withdrawal of universal pensioner benefits. There are no winners in austerity Britain. Fuelling an insidious intergenerational divide which results in less support for older people will, ultimately, make losers of us all.
Feedback
Kevin Prince
ACK, a conscientious colleague, a very supportive team player and popular member of the team, sadly missed. Cathy, Day Centre Manager. Kevin was a very caring, considerate person. He was a giver, nothing was too much trouble for him, he would always lend a helping hand. What I found very interesting about Kevin was that he had spent four years in the Marines and was a junior boxing champion. I know that the people at ACK staff and members liked him a great deal. Steve, Administrator . He was always generous with his time, valued by our clients and able to turn his hand to all sorts of problems. Heather, Handyperson coordinator.
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Retirement reinvented
Retirement is a part of life that many look forward to and with the right planning and openness to new experiences can be the most rewarding part of our lives. However, for some it can also be quite daunting, the anticipated pleasures of completely free days can, with nothing to fill the time, begin to pall. Volunteering has helped many people through the sometimes stressful transition into retirement. We asked a few retirees why they are dedicated to giving back to their community.
I retired at an early age to care full time for my wife who was very ill at the time. Unfortunately she died just over a month later and as I had led a high pressure business career I felt that I no longer had a purpose in life. So I decided to pursue my greatest interest which is photography. This led to me to work for Surrey History Centre and Surrey County Council, then ultimately volunteering for Age Concern and other organisations. I now get great pleasure and a whole new sense of purpose being able to give to the community some of the knowledge and experience I myself have gained and to be listened to again, instead of being classified as a Senior Citizen and as a result, not having a worthwhile opinion. As to the future, I intend to enjoy life to the full with my partner and our families. Brian, volunteer community photographer I was not looking forward to retiring, I enjoyed the job that I was doing, I got on very well with my colleagues and I had no idea how I would fill my day, although I was interested in several things, I did not have a serious hobby. Now that I am retired I have time to do the many things that previously I had to fit in when I had a spare moment. Volunteering has made a tremendous difference to my life; I like to have a structure to the week. Apart from the weekend I have only one free day, which suits me very well. I just pray that my health will enable me to carry as I am doing at the moment. Obviously the day will come when I will have to slow up and be content to read a book at home, or even in a home, God forbid! I will try and put that day off as long as possible. I also hope, with Keiths (my computer tutor) help to become a little more confident on the laptop, which keeps me social and up-to-date. Trevor, has been a volunteer since 2003 and has supported a range of projects including intergenerational work
Agenda Feature
To work or retire?
l One in eleven over 65 year olds are still wage earners. l Retirement is no longer a fixed time in your life you can take early retirement or carry on working beyond state pension age. l Working part-time could give you the opportunity to have additional free time whilst continuing to gain a salary. This could help with the transition of retirement. l If you do carry on working, youll no longer have to pay National Insurance. l Remember your employer cannot force you to retire because of your age, if you feel discriminated against seek advice. l If you are thinking about changing your job or career completely then ensure that your CV and skills are up to date.
When my wife died I went to pieces, I went right downhill, and the doctor recommended I speak with Age Concern Kingston. I followed their advice and became a member of the day centre in 2007. Sometime after joining I expressed that I enjoyed gardening to one of the staff members and asked if anyone would mind if I potted a few flowers. I started to do so much in the garden they asked me if I would like to become a volunteer and I did! The garden was like a jungle, big weaving bushes all over the place, I totally got into it, and I enjoyed it so much. All in all, I was under a lot of pressure and I was still a bit depressed but it passed and being with people was good for me, it has been a way of expressing myself. Coming to Raleigh House literally saved my life, it became my family. Michael, volunteer gardener and art assistant at Raleigh House
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Raleigh House
Raleigh House provides a warm and friendly environment for those over 60 who are seeking companionship and daily activity. You can choose to attend for a full day, including a hot lunch, or half a day. Transport is available to and from the centre for those who need it, every day except Wednesday, or we can help you access alternative transport. The centre is spacious, with a large lounge and dining room, an arts and crafts room, a coffee lounge and a pleasant courtyard garden and terrace. One-to-one computer lessons, podiatry and holistic therapies are also available for members and non-members. Opening times: Monday Friday: 10.00am 4.00pm Raleigh House, 14 Nelson Road, New Malden KT3 5EA Telephone: 020 8949 4244 Email: [email protected] Centre Manager: Cathy Weight
The Bradbury
The Bradbury is a drop in centre for the over 50s. With a lively, vibrant and friendly atmosphere, The Bradbury offers a wide range of activities from tai chi and yoga, to dancing classes or computer lessons. Just a ten minute walk from Kingston town, The Bradbury is a good place to come for a bite to eat. Our caf serves drinks, snacks, lunches (including a roast lunch on a Wednesday) and plenty of homemade cakes. In the summer you can eat al fresco as we have a pleasant patio garden. The Bradbury, 37b Grange Road, Kingston KT1 2RA Telephone: 020 8549 1230 Email: [email protected] Centre Manager: Laura OBrien
For the last few years the craft group at Raleigh House have knitted blankets for Battersea dogs home. Peggy explains what brings them the inspiration to work so hard each year for the charity: It is the satisfaction of doing something really worthwhile. All animals want something warm, dogs especially. I knitted a blanket for my dog and he jumped right in it and curled up to sleep. I like to think the dogs at Battersea do the same when they get their blankets. It is good for us too; its relaxing, rewarding and the blankets are easy enough for the whole craft group to knit. Its as if the warmth we experience from knitting is stitched into each blanket to make a Battersea dogs life a little bit better.
Last summer members of The Bradbury took part in a year-long Heritage Lottery Funded project based on the life and work of Iris Murdoch. Participants visited Kingston Universitys archives, handling and reading the writers letters before taking part in a discussion group and going on field visits to parts of London where Murdoch lived and places she liked to frequent such as the National Gallery. One year on and the project has culminated in an exhibition at Kingston Museum, staged by Kingston Universitys Centre for Iris Murdoch Studies and unveiled in May. Illuminating the life and work of a great writer, the event also showcased the work of various groups in the community including MIND in Kingston, Age Concern Kingston, Kingston Carers Network and adults with learning difficulties.
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Moving on
At 82 Ben found himself struggling alone in his three bedroom home. His family lived abroad and his brothers, who live locally and were also in their eighties, were frail and needed their own support. The loneliness crept in slowly at first, but after some time Ben realised that his house was too much to maintain as his health let him down. Eventually the only option was to move into a local care home where he could receive the support he needed to live a life with dignity.
Diary Dates
Age Concern meetings and events
Raleigh Saturday Club
A service designed for people living with dementia, their family members and supporters. Second Saturday of the month, 11.00am2.00pm at Raleigh House. Next dates: 8th June, 13th July our summer BBQ and 10th August. 4 per person including refreshments and a light lunch (served at 12.00 noon). Contact Raleigh House on 020 8942 8256 or email [email protected] if you would like to attend or for more information.
Anxious
Ben had left behind an empty house in desperate need of renovation, full of personal belongings and furniture that was years old. Whilst he settled well into his new home, the thought of his house abandoned left him anxious he was helpless in the situation and didnt know who to talk to. He had never imagined the position he was in and therefore hadnt planned for this situation. A concerned neighbour gave Ben the number for Age Concern Kingston; he spoke with our advice team before being referred to the Stay Well Housing Choices service.
Options
Housing Choices visited Ben and discussed the options open to him when selling his property. Throughout the process he was consulted
through regular meetings, which gave him the opportunity to share his anxieties. We also discussed with Bens family his decision and kept them informed throughout the sale. Housing Choices researched estate agents for valuations, liaised with and instructed a solicitor, made arrangements for family members to sort through remaining personal belongings and dealt with all paperwork. After 10 months the property sold! Whilst Ben was sad to say goodbye to his past, he was extremely grateful to the Housing Choices service: I could not have done it without them.
Whats on in Kingston
Malden fortnight
Saturday 6th of July Sunday 21st July. Various exciting events scheduled in New Malden including Raleigh Houses craft group selling their creations on Saturday 13th of July, New Malden High Street.
U3A Kingston
First Monday of the month, 1.30pm at the Richard Mayo Hall. For more information see the website www.kingstonu3a.org.uk or call 020 8399 0163.
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Help@Home
age concern
Kingston upon Thames
The Help@Home team providing the support you want, how and when you want it.
Charity Number 299988