IN the Nineteenth Century Britain underwent a demographic
transition which resulted in a vast expansion of the working age
population.
A lonely old age
According
to Help the Aged one million elderly people say they are often or
always lonely and tragically it seems to be those who face the greatest
financial struggle who are also the most lonely.
Amy Swan, policy
manager for social inclusion at Help the Aged said: “It’s such a tragic
state of affairs when older people tell us that that the only person
they see from week to week is the postman.
“Isolation and
loneliness are not inevitable side-effects of the ageing process, but
the life events associated with older age can leave people vulnerable.
“Poverty,
bereavement, far-flung families and failing health can all play a part,
and while living alone is for some a preferred life choice, for others
it can be one of the key risk factors leading to someone becoming
isolated and also lonely.”
While her comments are perhaps most
applicable to larger cities, in Warminster we need to be aware and
devise ways now to help our current older generation and cater for the
strains on the system that will increase as time goes by.
A new community centre
We
feel there is a lack of meeting facilities in the town where older
people can get together chat in a social situation and mix with other
members of the community.
One of the tragedies of British society is
that, unlike on the continent, the various age groups do not seem to
mix socially – perhaps this is a function of our greater geographical
mobility, smaller families and the decline of extended families.
To
remedy this we need a full blown community centre in the heart of the
town where people can meet, come for a meal, teach each other new
skills and be comfortable.
Not
only need it be comfortable in a physical sense but socially a place
were everyone feels comfortable and that they have a stake and a right
to use.
Such a place could be the Assembly Hall which is underused and a waste of space at present. (pictured)
It needs to be in use seven days a week and be one of the hubs of the community.
It
needs a new role, a new interior, a new focus and probably a new name -
few would argue if we were to rename it the Joan Main Centre as a
fitting recognition of Mrs Main's decades of service to the community.
It
could also be a base for the community stewards recommended in our
policing section and provide a valuable link between these workers and
vulnerable sections of the community.
By
extending a helping hand of friendship they could even take on the
reassuring role of ensuring the safety of those who previously felt too
frightened or isolated to venture out and travel.
There
are also huge numbers of people in their 60s left kicking their heels
who would be only too happy to help out in such a community centre.
We forsee this group forming a vibrant older persons' association springing up with a name for them to choose.
Grey power is a force which we should harness for good and not fear.
Exactly what you would include inside this centre can be thrashed out in detail over time but we are sure it is necessary.
Perhaps
a town councillor could be made a portfolio holder with responsibility
for the new centre and room be made available for social services staff
on site as well as other caring agencies.
Accommodation needs are special
The
population explosion in the very old will inevitably mean more demand
for the sort of accommodation required by the super old.
We must meet this demand as otherwise we will fail the old.
They
need homes with wider doors, stairs that accommodate a stairlift, level
walkways with good lighting, many aids and adaptations so that hoists
can be used.
Warminster's
public buildings, not just homes, will also need to adapt so that that
they meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.
We
need to ensure that people retain as much dignity as possible and are
able to stay in their own homes for as long as possible before moving
into residential care or nursing homes.
In past times every housing
scheme for elderly people had a resident warden who had time to chat to
their elderly neighbours but those days have largely gone and wardens
replaced by mobile wardens in the name of efficiency.
We would seek to reverse this trend by bringing back resident wardens.
If necessary we would also seek to build new council run nursing and residential care homes.
There
should be a clear and continuing distinction between the roles of
nursing and residential care homes as at present this has blurred.
In
Wiltshire the council transferred its homes to a not for profit
organisation some years ago but in Hampshire they kept them and there
they provide the gold standard for care homes.
Their success has
been such that Hampshire County Council was able to build and provide
an additional 500 bed spaces of its own over the past two years in
partnership with the Primary Care Trust.
We should follow Hampshire’s example in Wiltshire.
Help urgently required for carers
Old age not only causes problems for the old but also for their carers.
Warminster
is not overburdened with places where carers can go for help and advice
when they discover a parent or partner is suffering from dementia and
needs extra support.
Across the country there is a network of 141 centres operating under the auspices of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.
None is within easy reach of Warminster.
These
centres provide information, advice and guidance, act as advocates and
liaise with statutory bodies and sort out opportunities for respite
care.
They also act as a carers’ support group and provide counselling.
A Warminster carer centre is badly needed as help and advice in this town is lamentable.
In
some enlightened towns there are also young carers' centres for the
many children that have to take on a caring role - often in support of
an ailing parent.
Finally Warminster hospital needs to be brought
back into full use as at the present time many of the most vulnerable
face isolation in Bath or Salisbury hospitals when they need support.
This
falls into the chapter of health care but consider this one
unacceptable fact - elderly emergency patients, without close
relatives, have been admitted to hospital in their pyjamas 20 miles
from home and are then left to organise a taxi to get themselves home
upon discharge.
That is happening now and it shouldn't.
Our vision is a town where people can enjoy their extended old age not suffer it in lonely impoverished silence.
(For Information) ACCORDING
to the most up to date statistics there are around 1,500 carers in
Warminster and nearly half of them provide more than 20 hours’ care a
week. About a fifth of carers provide more than 50 hours’ care a week.
The
demand for care will rise very quickly in the next decade as the number
of people aged over 85, who are most in need of care, will rise by 50
per cent.
It
is estimated that £225,000 worth of carers’ benefits are not claimed in
Warminster each year and ‘Making the most of your money’ is the theme
of Carers’ Rights Day on 5 December.
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers recommends visiting the website fundingcaring.co.uk for more help and information.
'Our vision is a town where people can enjoy their extended old age not suffer it in lonely impoverished silence.'
Promoted and published by Steve Dancey of 21 Newport, Warminster, and Paul Macdonald, of 144 Boreham Field, Warminster.
