GMTV Winter Campaign (Oct 14 2008)

Facts and figures

  • One in five people over 65 are alone for over 12 hours every day
  • People over 85 spend over 90% of their time at home
  • One third of men and nearly two thirds of woman over 75 live alone
  • Over a quarter of men and more than half of women over 75 have lost their spouse
  • Only one in twenty people aged 75 and over gets enough exercise
  • One in four people over 65 have symptoms of depression
  • Age Concern Week 13-19 October

The theme for Age Concern Week 2008 is Getting Together and it will have a strong focus on the well-being and social inclusion of older people throughout the UK.

The end of the week will launch The Great Sunday Lunch which gives an opportunity to highlight the importance of social inclusion, with friends and families getting together to enjoy a variety of activities.

Age Concern campaigns to protect older people from poverty, to promote health and well-being, and to make sure they can access the support and services they need to have a good quality of life.

During the week there will be a focus on Age Concern activities which can help older people beat isolation.

These include:

  • Phone a friend
    It can be hard for older people to keep in contact with friends after a move, a bereavement, if familymembers leave the area, or if health issues mean mobility is limited. Age Concern can pair people with avolunteer who will either call on the phone for a chat or drop by for a visit once a week or so. Theseservices can lead to enduring friendships with people of all ages
     
  • Help at home
    Sometimes little things at home can become a handful and some older people do not know where to turn for some help.
     
  • Shopping services
    With restricted mobility or access to transport, shopping can become difficult and frustrating. Age Concern Exeter can pick older people up from home and take them to the shops or the supermarket for groceries.This can become an opportunity to meet other shopping companions and can make a practical task a fun day out. We can also teach people how to shop online.
     
  • Safe as Houses
    Age Concern can fit door chains and window locks to help older people feel safer at home.
     
  • Befriending and visiting services
    Age Concern Exeter has volunteer befrienders who can visit older people at home and share a good chat. They can also let older people know about other local activities that might be of interest.

If you are isolated or know someone who is,  Age Concern Exeter may be able to help.

Last changed: Oct 14 2008 at 12:18 PM

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