Welcome to This Brand New Guide to Later Life in Gloucestershire
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Introduction Welcome to this brand new Guide to Later Life in Gloucestershire At Age UK Gloucestershire we think a lot about what would make this a better county in which to grow older. Everyone knowing where to turn for information and Do drop us a line with your thoughts, questions and advice on the range of issues that arise as we grow ideas for what else would help you and your family older would be high up the list. to love later life. That’s why we have produced this directory – to bring together in one place a whole host of guidance and local contact information. It’s designed to take you through a number of common considerations and to be kept as a reference booklet to dip into as issues arise for you and your family. From tips on healthy living to ensuring you have enough money, from opportunities to meet friends to getting support with care, there are sections to guide you through key issues. If you cannot find the information you need in the pages that follow, then please do contact us at Age UK Gloucestershire. We are an independent local charity that has been working to help older people in Gloucestershire enjoy later life for over 35 years. Our friendly and experienced team are here to help you to understand your options and help you navigate later life in Gloucestershire. Our ambition is for ours to be the best county in Rob Fountain which to grow older. We have a range of projects to Chief Executive Officer try and achieve this, but we’d love to know what you Age UK Gloucestershire think would make Gloucestershire a better county for older people. Disclaimer: Although every effort has been made to Age UK Gloucestershire ensure that the information in this guide was correct at 26 Station Road press time, Age UK Gloucestershire and Sure Media do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any Gloucester GL1 1EW party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by any errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. 01452 422660 Although Age UK Gloucestershire & Sure Media would [email protected] like to thank the sponsors for their support in this www.ageuk.org.uk/gloucestershire publication, their inclusion within this publication does not imply any recommendation or endorsements as to the goods or services they may supply. Age UK Gloucestershire has received no financial payments from any sponsors or supporters in the production of this guide. To feature within a publication or for further information please contact: [email protected] 3 Contents Contents 3 Introduction from our Chief Executive 5-11 Age UK Gloucestershire guide to our services: 5 Knowing where to turn 6-7 Staying independent and safe at home 8-9 Keeping connected socially 10-11 About us 12-13 Patient choice of GP practice 14 Healthy eating for over 50s 15-18 Staying physically active 19 Keeping mobile and preventing falls 20-22 Volunteering – change a life, change yours 23-24 Your right to social care 25-27 Planning for your care needs 28-30 Are you a carer? 31-32 Choosing care services 33-36 Funding care 37 Care and support plans 38-43 Care services in your home 45-50 Care homes 4 Age UK Gloucestershire Knowing where to turn Make Age UK Gloucestershire your first port of call 01452 422660 Do you need help navigating the social care system? Assessments, care plans, eligibility criteria, charging – accessing care can be a bewildering exercise. We can talk you through the system and the choices you have. Have you or your partner been in the Armed Services or completed National Service? There is specific support available to veterans from Age UK Gloucestershire and our partners Growing older can bring changes in our lives, SSAFA (Gloucestershire). We can connect you with decisions to be made and raising questions to specialist support, taking our turn in serving we have never considered before. We may those who have served their country. require support as we slow down, our financial * situation may change and we can find ourselves Have you planned for later life? in a very different and often confusing place. Considering your preferences for your later life can be difficult, but addressing these can bring Similarly, someone who is caring for an older tremendous peace of mind. We can help by loved one or friend can be presented with a providing information on everything from Power number of challenges and decisions, often of Attorney to Funeral Plans. needing to be made at short notice. We are regularly out and about in the local Age UK Gloucestershire exists to help you community so look out for our free information navigate later life. Our experienced and friendly events in your local area and come along to talk team is here to help guide you through those to us. Alternatively, one phone number important issues. 01452 422660 will connect you to all our knowledge, Do you have enough money? experience and understanding. You could be entitled to benefits that you didn’t know you could claim and which could help you Our information and advice is offered free keep your independence and improve your of charge and is of course confidential. standard of living. We can help you access these. Our offices are open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm and you are welcome to call us to make an appointment on 01452 422660 We want everyone to have access to our Navigate Team, so if you are unable to travel to our office, we may be able to arrange a home visit. * This part of the aged veterans fund is funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds 5 Age UK Gloucestershire Staying independent and safe at home Products & services to keep you where you want to be 01452 422660 Remaining independent at home for as long as Are household chores getting too much? possible is what we all want, but this can Having someone call in regularly to provide become difficult as our needs change over time. practical help around the home can make a big difference. There are many providers who can There are things we can all do to promote our offer help from housework to personal care and independence – maintaining social contact and we can advise you on how to find one that staying as active as possible helps, but at some offers the right level of support for you. Age UK point extra help may be required to keep us Gloucestershire’s own Clean Sweep Plus safe in our home. service offers this and more, for example It’s good to be open to suggestions about helping you deal with paperwork, or getting out receiving help. This doesn’t mean losing your to the shops. The same person will visit you independence. On the contrary, accepting each week and there’s always time for a chat. support when things start getting harder can If you’re looking after a loved-one, we can offer enable you to stay safe, comfortable and in care sitting as part of the service. control at home for longer. Just a few could small changes in the home make a adjustments to the home environment, or some big difference? practical support with certain tasks, may be all it Whether it’s getting up the stairs more easily, takes to ensure you can remain at home for being able to stand up more comfortably or many more years. having a shower without a high step, we have Age UK Gloucestershire can help you and your various solutions that can help make life a bit family find out how to continue enjoying life in easier. Our products include riser-recliner your own home. chairs and adjustable beds, through to stairlifts and bathing solutions. If you’re unsure what you need, call us, and we will guide you through your options, including when it is appropriate to contact Adult Social Care to carry out an assessment of your needs. PRoTecT yoURSelF FRom FiNANciAl FRAUD Our Stay Smart, Stay Safe booklet provides advice and tips on how to protect yourself from scams and keep you and your money secure. Contact us for your copy. 6 Age UK Gloucestershire Do you worry about being able to call for Do you need to review your insurance help in an emergency? arrangements? Even if you have regular visitors, there may be For peace of mind, it’s important to ensure you times when you are alone in the house and may have considered all your financial requirements. worry about how to get We work with Age UK to bring you a range of help quickly if you fall or products specifically designed for the over 50s, have an accident. We offer such as home, travel and car insurance, as well a free 6 week trail of our as other financial products including funeral personal alarm which plans. For more information contact our Trading means in an Team on 01452 422660 or email emergency, friends or [email protected] family can be alerted at the touch of a button. We can also put you in touch with relevant Age UK Car, Home and Travel Insurance are administered by Ageas Retail Limited. departments within the Council or Falls Prevention service, if you’d like more advice on Age UK Funeral Plans are provided by Dignity. how to keep safe at home. Brought to you by Age UK Enterprises Limited.