Elderly Care

At this particular point in time in our lives the rather gloomy word ‘Pensions’ tends to loom large. The whole area is rather like eating sawdust and then not really feeling satisfied at the end of it all. However, how you are going to live and what money you have available does need to be looked at.

Pensions are long-term investments

Pensions are long-term investments with special tax rules. You usually cannot access your money until you reach the age of 50 going up to 55 by 2010. There are 3 three main types of non-state pension.
Occupational salary-related schemes- offered by employers.
Occupational defined contribution schemes (also called money purchase pensions) offered by some employers.
Stakeholder pensions and personal pensions offered by some employers or you can have one of your own.

The Government pays the basic State Pension to people who claim it and have reached state pension age. You qualify for it by paying into it, being treated as having paid or been credited with National Insurance contributions for a minimum number of years.

There is Pension Credit, which is an entitlement for people aged 60 or over living in Great Britain. This could mean extra money for you every week if you are on a low income.

Look at all the possible sources of income. Find the big ones first like what pension you are likely to get from your present employer or whatever private scheme you paid into and what you will get from the State Pension. Track down any old pensions, bank or building society accounts or other investments with the Pension Tracing Service, the British Bankers Association or Building Societies Association and the Unclaimed Assets Register.

When you have gathered as much information as you can about your pensions and other alternative sources or income the next part is to see whether what you are going to have coming in is going to cover what is going to go out. Once you know where your income is coming from and what you want to do with it you can take control and make the most of what there is available.

It is as important to keep our minds active, so they say, as our bodies. Mental fitness is a matter of exercise as much as tennis or walking exercise the body. As with everything else you have to find the pieces that suit you. If you are intrigued by puzzles or crosswords you already have part of the answer. Sitting down and watching tele till you fall asleep is not the way forward. Your brain needs regular workouts to keep fit and supple. The human mind gradually looses tissue from the third decade onwards but as with the body the more stimuli you give your brain the better you’re your intellectual and mental health.

Not just quizzes and crosswords

Funnily enough just doing cardiovascular exercise will help and awful lot. Apparently the activity that sends blood pumping round your body also pumps it round your head with beneficial results. So keep on training Keeping your mind active requires you to think about what you will find interesting. You are much more likely to keep going with something you find intriguing and holds your interest. If you find puzzles and board games a good way to pass the time look into the variations of suduko, chess and the modern brain games specifically designed to improve your memory. Finding a local bridge group to join is a social way to go as is taking part in the local pub quiz.

For those who find quizzes and crosswords tedious just finding a new hobby or interest can give you the required stimulation. Anything new that requires you to think hard and absorb new information is good for keeping your brain flexible. Signing up for an Open University course or going to the local college to learn more computer skills may be an area you find interesting and lead on to other different paths to study. Enthusiasm can drive you into ever more beneficial diversions so pick something that gives you a high feel good factor. There are some rewarding pursuits out there.

Dementia and loss of our mental faculties can be frightening to think about. After all everyone can be a bit forgetful but at what point does it become a problem. Worrying about this can become a problem in itself.

Dementia is the gradual loss of our mental abilities such as reasoning, thinking and remembering. It is not a disease in itself but a group of symptoms that may accompany some diseases or conditions affecting the brain. There are many different types of dementia each with their own causes.

Stay in shape - mentally and physically

Most people who develop dementia are over the age of 60 but it is well to bear in mind that dementia is not a normal part of growing old and there is much you can do to reduce the risk. First and foremost a healthy lifestyle is important. The same old things, giving up smoking, doing regular exercise, eating a low fat balanced diet and drinking no more than the recommended limits of alcohol.

As with your body your mind needs exercise. Physical exercise itself is very important as the more blood that is pumped round your body the more oxygen will get to you brain. You will also need things to think about, to plan for and to care about. You will need people around to chat to, to exchange ideas, to stimulate thought. The brain is the most complex organ of the human body. It produces every thought, action, memory, feeling and experience in this world. Our brains form a million new connexions every second of out lives. With these changes of connexions we store memories, learn new skills, develop our personalities.

It is worthwhile trying to keep this part of our bodies in the best trim possible. How you do this is rather like choosing what form of physical exercising you like. The list of possibilities is endless. Some people enjoy playing games like bridge or chess. Taking up a new hobby can give you an interest and a different set of people to play with. Your brain needs stimulation. Give it something.

Other areas that can offer a large amount of fun. The social life is big in this domain and you will meet a variety of people. To help organise, fund raise and actually do something on the big night can be an exciting prospect. Amateur theatrical companies can be large or small. On average there are about 50 people that are in some way connected to these groups. Some, usually bigger ones, can have people that just give donations but the most rewarding way of being part of the scene is to become an active member.

A very rewarding experience

Helping back stage, doing the lighting, the scenery, and the costumes not to mention actually being on stage can bring a real sense of belonging and helping out. If you have never acted before then a small part or a part in a panto is the best place to start. Being in a pantomime is a great way to start as no one worries if odd mistakes are made. Some are happy to do the teas or sell tickets on the door. If you have a particular skill in music or singing joining an opera group may be the way for you. Most groups need people to help with the fund raising so anyone willing to organise activities such as running raffles, doing dinner parties or barbecues would be a godsend. Subscription fees vary from group to group. Some charge an annual subscription fee and some charge a performance fee. Ask before you join what these charges are.

Finding a group to join is the next step. Local groups usually advertise their productions so if you go to one you should be able to talk to a member who would suggest a likely person to talk to. If the group is big enough they might advertise auditions in the local paper or ask around to see if anyone knows of a local group that needs help. Most community halls will have details if a drama group meets there and if all else fails try the Internet.

If you have spare time on your hands and are looking round for a special interest, drawing or painting could be a rewarding activity to try. Most people have an artistic streak in them. Usually it was killed off by teachers at the local school. If you feel that there is a creative spark that has never quite been fanned, perhaps now is the time to give it some dried kindling. Developing your creative side can be very rewarding.

Beginners Art

If you have already felt some artistic stirrings and feel you want to give them more time and effort, find courses at your local adult education centre or college. They usually have a comprehensive list of specialised instruction for all types of artistic disciplines. Look up the one most likely to fit your requirements and book a course of lessons. You might find that you do not immediately find what you are looking for but it is a start. Talking to people or the instructor may help clarify your ideas. If you are a complete novice again look at the list of courses and choose one on ‘Beginners Art’ or another such name. The instructor will take it you are starting from the beginning and you should get plenty of help.

Drawing, painting and all the other associated activities are areas of endless learning opportunities. You can never know enough or be skilled enough ever to learn any more. When you have discovered your particular interest you can always look out for painting holidays or residential courses. Look on the Internet or in the local library. You can combine a nice holiday with refining your particular skills and here you are likely to meet people with similar interests as yourself. There are opportunities for going abroad or on cruises. The list is endless, you just have to keep looking and talking to people.

The oldest known paintings are at the Grotte Chauvet in France, claimed by some historians to be 32,000 years old. The urge to paint or to make marks on paper is old. It has been said that it is not the painting itself that matters. What matters is what happens to us while we are creating it.

For some people this may be just the option. If you have sorted out all the money and your family and the house you may think, well I’ve got time on my hands so what shall |I do. Volunteer work gives you the opportunity to indulge in something you fancy but never got round to doing. Because you are not getting paid the openings are vast and you can cherry pick. There is a big buzz in giving and you can work the hours that suit you. The likelihood is that you will meet many like-minded people who are there because they want to help. You can use your skills to further a cause you find interesting.

Use your skills

Sometimes there is s very specific movement that you might find worthwhile working for. For example if you have had cancer or someone near you has suffered you may find doing work for a cancer charity a way to give something back. There may be a cause that you have for sometime felt considerable sympathy and now perhaps is the time to find a way to help them. Other people find outlets in local groups, Citizens Advice Bureau, or working in charity shops. There are many very deserving causes out there and so many of them need help.

There is a volunteer register usually run by the council and if you don’t quite know what to do you could apply to them for the list of jobs that are available. Looking in the situation vacant area of the local paper will often bring an advertisement for ‘Volunteers Wanted’. The local library should have a list of people to contact in the area. If you are more adventurous and have fondly thought that one day you might do voluntary work abroad, there are openings if you search hard enough. Voluntary Service Overseas is one of the big organisations and they do take older people. Most organisations tend to favour younger people but if you have a specific skill like teaching or nursing age is often not a barrier.

Despite their small size butterflies and moths are some of the worlds most wondrous animals. Their beauty seemingly miraculous metamorphosis and apparently carefree flight all spark out imaginations. Britain has about 55 species including some from Europe but many now breed here and the government officially recognises butterflies as being indicators of climate change. The Peacock flashes open its wings and 4 large artificial eyes appear. This gives the impression of it being much larger than it really is and frightens even the most persistent predator. Beautiful, delicate, fascinating some of these small creatures are under threat and people who are interested in their conservation are at a premium.

Lepidopterist

In the old days butterflies were caught and collected. These days we have a more generous approach and observing and protecting have become watchwords. Changing part of your garden around to give caterpillars food to eat and butterflies nectar to drink can bring many of these pretty creatures into your garden to delight a summers day. Going on walks that go through butterfly conservation areas can bring a flurry of brightly coloured wings along the paths you are walking. Visiting butterfly houses open to the public will give you experiences of exotic species flying in specialised enclosures. They become very tame and often alight on passing admirers. Wherever you go on your holiday abroad you are always likely to find one of these houses. Some of the tropical species are truly spectacular and well worth a visit.

They are delightful creatures and fascinating to study. Butterfly Conservation is the big organisation dedicated to protecting their interests and there are local branches to join. Many like-minded people attend meetings and study groups are available for those who wish to learn. For those wishing to be more active there are always working parties clearing in the habitats.

One of the most popular and fastest growing ventures in recent years has been in the car boot sale. These are organised as charity ventures throughout the country at all times of the year and in all types of locations. Car boot sales are traditionally place to sell your own household junk. If you enjoy the activity of buying and selling, the engagement of barter and an eye for a bargain this may be the place for you. Thousands go to car boot sales every weekend and are prepared to spend on items that take their fancy. You meet other interested people and going regularly will give you an eye for the market.

Take a table to display your goods.

Tips for those just starting car booting include putting price stickers on to your goods before the day of sale, packing your items into smaller cardboard boxes as they are easier to move in and out of the car. Take a table to display your goods, a paste table is a good starting point, and remember to arrive at the pitch early. If people swim around you, take a box out of the car, lock the door and take your time putting your goods out. Only agree to sell if you are happy; don’t get pushed or allow people to confuse you. If possible share a stall with a friend as you can give each other a break and share the costs.

In many cases your stock will cost you nothing. Simply clear out your household junk and take it in to sell. Ask friends or relatives for junk. Many people will be grateful to you for taking unwanted items off your hands. Some people go to car boots just to buy things to sell next time. If you are going down this road you will have to develop a eye for a good thing as your profit is going to depend on this skill.

If you become a regular attendee at these events you may be regarded as a trader so it is sensible to be aware of the law. Your nearest Trading Standards Office will be able to give you all the information you need.

Sounds fun and can be great fun. Moving to music has been part of man’s culture almost since he got up on two legs. It stimulates the senses, sight, sound and touch and it is good for our bodies and minds. Dancing gets you breathing faster, it helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis because the steps put stress on the bones, and it keeps you trim as you burn calories. The more vigorous the dance the more calories you burn. It encourages co-ordination, balance and muscle strength, all-important in later life to keep mobility and flexibility. Because you’re enjoying yourself you forget that you are exercising.

There are a huge number of dances about.

There are a huge number of dances about. Because of the dancing series on television, this sport is in high profile. There is ballroom dancing, waltz, quickstep and slow foxtrot. The Latin dances, tango, rumba, samba, cha cha cha and the modern spin offs of leroc, ceroc and modern jive. All wonderful fun but if they seem too much try afternoon tea dances with sequence and ballroom. Dance clubs abound in all towns and typing in ‘dance clubs’ in a search engine on the Internet will bring you all manner of groups. You can get as local as you want with whatever dance you require.

The added bonus that comes with dancing is the social life that is a part of the scene. Regular group dancing lessons means you are meeting new people. Learning new moves means your brain is being stimulated and kept flexible. Chatting as you move around means you are keeping your social skills alive. Most groups have monthly dances. Where you can dress up and show off. Many dance forms are quite relaxing and give you a real feel good factor. To be able to give a good account of yourself to a lively piece of music will give your confidence an enormous boost. There is a dance for every taste, you just need to go out there and try a few.

It is difficult to know where to start on this one as taking up an interest in gardening can open so many doors to other activities and enthusiasms. There is something fundamentally pleasing about messing around with soil; planting small green things and watching them grow. Even though you only have a small front garden or a balcony, growing plants for food or pleasure can become a fascinating hobby.

Food, pleasure or a fascinating hobby?

Many people have taken a vague interest in gardens through the years, as they have had to mow the lawns and clip the hedges. With more time around that vague interest can blossom into a passion. There are so many garden centres around filled with all manner of different plants and seeds. There are huge numbers of books around on propagation, designing, water gardens in fact you think of a gardening subject and there will be an appropriate book. There are television and radio programmes, gardening clubs and lectures, all manner of information for the seekers. The pleasure in creating a beautiful and productive garden can be immense.

English gardens are renowned throughout the world. For 500 years we have been designing and creating gardens. From 1514 when Cardinal Wolsey brought Hampton Court and set about improving it to impress Henry V111, through 1730 when William Kent worked on the original plans for KEW gardens, past the influences of John Loudon and his Encyclopaedia of Gardening, Gertrude Jekyll and her book ‘Colour in the Flower Garden’, right up to the creation of the Eden Project of the present day, England can boast a rich heritage of gardening.

These days with smaller patches of land people have become more creative with their garden design. Using patios, containers, water features etc people can create a small oasis of peace and tranquilly in the midst of a busy world. Increased interest in the environment and conservation can mean development of a garden for butterflies and insects or birds and small mammals. The list of things you can do with your garden is endless. You just have to use your imagination.