SPRIN G
2014
Age UK Bedfordshire
Listening
Event
For Older People Living
in Rural Bedfordshire
Healthy
Eating
for Life
Eating healthily
doesn’t have to
be complicated
or boring
Care in Crisis Campaign
What is Next
for Social Care?
What is Sepsis?
What are the symptoms
and how can we avoid it?
What You
Didn’t Know
About…
Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP
dates for your diary + Cancer Support + Greenfingered grandma + much more
Home Fire
Safety Message
Chimney Safety: Stay safe and warm this
winter. It is important to make sure that you
keep your chimney clean. ‘Clean Chimneys
are safer Chimneys’. Make sure you use a
fully insured chimney sweep that is trained
and qualified, to ensure your chimney is
maintained and safe for use. Stay safe
Are your old Christmas lights still safe?
Old electrical decorations that have been
poorly stored and overloaded sockets can
create unnecessary hazards at this time of
year. Switch Christmas lights off before you
go to bed or go out – even Christmas lights
need a break! Stay safe
Set in a safe and peaceful location
Visit our exciting new development
with a friendly community and close to
of luxury park homes at Brickhill
Park in Pepperstock. These large & local amenities, we provide the perfect
spacious homes are designed to include answer to a relaxing retirement
everything you could wish for in a new
home, including private gardens and Open Days on Friday 27th & Saturday
28th June From 10am to 4pm
driveways.
Candles mark special occasions and create a
special atmosphere. They also bring fire into
your home so treat them carefully. Always
extinguish candles before you leave a room.
Don’t leave them burning and double check
they are out properly.
Stay safe
For information about Home Fire Safety and Electric Blankets please refer to:
www.ageuk.org.uk/home-and-care/home-safety-and-security/home-fire-safety/
www.ageuk.org.uk/home-and-care/home-safety-and-security/electric-blankets/
Reserve your plot!
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© Pressmaster, shutterstock.com
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Meet the
team…
Editor
Amanda Jones
Tel: 01234 360 510
Email: amanda.jones@
ageukbedfordshire.org.uk
Sub-Editor
Klaudia Len
Tel: 01234 360 510
Email: klaudia.len@
ageukbedfordshire.org.uk
Age UK Bedfordshire
Head Office
78 - 82 Bromham Road
Bedford
MK40 2QH
Tel: 01234 360 510
Email: voice@
ageukbedfordshire.org.uk
21
6
Designer
Chris Keller
Email: chris@
lancepublishing.co.uk
Sales
Laurence Rowe
Tel: 01536 526662
Email: laurence@
lancepublishing.co.uk
Publisher
Lance Publishing Ltd
1st Floor Tailby House
Bath Road
Kettering
NN16 8NL
Tel: 01536 512624
www.lancepublishing.co.uk
12 18
Contents List Spring 2014
Healthy Eating
for Life ......................6
Eating healthily doesn’t have
to be complicated or boring.
Listening Event...........8
Age UK Bedfordshire
hosted a Listening Event
at the end of last year.
4 | SPRING 2014
13 Steps to
Keeping Healthy ........ 10
Maintain or improve your
health during the summer
months with these tips.
Cancer Support .......... 12
Information and details of
local support groups.
What You Didn’t
Know About… .............. 16
Care in Crisis
Campaign .................. 14
This quarter we ask Rt Hon Alistair
Burt MP (Conservative Party
for North East Bedfordshire).
Social care is any service
designed to help people with
support needs to live well.
What is Sepsis? ............ 18
Dates for
Your Diary .................. 15
Puzzle Page .................. 20
Selection of events taking place.
What are the symptoms
and how can we avoid it?
The usual trio are back, Sudoku,
Wordsearch and a Quick Quiz.
www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire
Greenfingered
Grandma ...................21
Printer
Charlie Chuckles ......... 22
This magazine is produced on behalf of
Age UK Bedfordshire by Lance Publishing
Ltd. All rights are reserved by the charity
and no part of this publication may be
reproduced in whole or in part without the
written permission of the charity. Age UK
Bedfordshire will accept no responsibility for, or necessarily agree with, any
claims made or views expressed in this
publication, nor does the mention of any
product, service or advertisement imply a
recommendation by Age UK Bedfordshire.
Reg. Charity No. 1090535
Offering her top tips for your
garden in the springtime.
Will he be able to
make you laugh?
Lance Print Ltd
Tel: (01480) 492183
www.lanceprint.co.uk
working hard to improve life for older people
Foreword
from the CEO
Hello to you all… The Spring has finally erupted
with the onset of daffodils, snowdrops and
tulips. Let us all hope for a long and warm
summer, to follow what one can only say has
been a long and very wet Winter period.
I
hope that all our
readers have survived
the deluge without
any problems and
flooding. All our best
wishes go to those who
have suffered through this
last winter and hope they
and their homes are soon
repaired and safe again.
As the warmer months
roll out we can all think
about sitting in the garden
and enjoying the fresh air
and sunshine which in itself
is beneficial to us all. We
can relax and listen to the
birdsong while enjoying
the gentle hum of our
bees and other insects.
Whether you are out
and about or resting at
home there are the annual
events to look forward to like
Mothers Day, and Fathers
Day, Wimbledon (if you
like tennis) The Boat Race,
The Trooping of the Colour,
and the cricket season!
For those that want to
have a jolly good read look
out in this edition of VOICE
for hints and tips on health
and healthy eating, Charlie’s
Jokes, Grandma’s regular
Gardening Tips and features
about the Care in Crisis
campaign being run by Age
UK nationally. We also have
Alistair Burt MP featured
in our Q and A section.
I hope you all enjoy this
lovely time of year with
family, friends and loved
ones and happy reading.
Karen
Karen Perry
CEO, Age UK Bedfordshire
SPRING 2014 | 5
AAA Foot Care Clinic
E a t i n g f o r L i f e
Eating healthily doesn’t have to be
complicated or boring! In fact, it’s about
making sure you have plenty of variety.
I
t’s about not eating too
much of some things –
like calories, saturated
fat, sugar and salt – while
getting enough of others
– like fibre and anti-oxidant
vitamins and minerals.
Drinks
Water makes up over 60%
of our body weight, and it’s
important to keep hydrated
to maintain this. You should
aim to drink six to eight
glasses of liquid like water,
juice, milk or fruit squash
a day. It’s best to avoid too
many fizzy drinks as they
contain a lot of sugar and
calories, which can result in
tooth decay and weight gain
when consumed excessively.
The Five Main
Food Groups
There are five main food
groups (see below) that
we all need to eat to
maintain a balanced diet,
but it can sometimes be
confusing how much of each
we are supposed to have.
• Fruit and vegetables
• Starchy foods
• Meat, poultry, fish, eggs,
beans, lentils and nuts
• Milk and dairy foods
• Fat, sugar and salt
The eatwell plate
can help you.
Here are some facts and
tips to help you turn healthy
eating advice into enjoyable
meals and snacks.
Fruit and Vegetables
Fruit and vegetables are full of
minerals, fibre, and antioxidant
vitamins that help our bodies
to work efficiently and support
our immune systems to keep
us healthy. They can be fresh,
frozen, dried, canned or juiced
and should make up about
a third of our diet. Many of
One Portion Is…
•B
reakfast A glass of juice or a heaped
tablespoon of dried fruit or a
banana with your cereal
•S
nacks
An apple or a handful
of grapes or a pear
•L
unch
A side salad or a
tomato and lettuce in a
sandwich or three heaped
tablespoons of baked beans
•D
inner Three heaped tablespoons
of vegetables like peas or
carrots or sweetcorn
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Eggs,
Beans, Lentils and Nuts
Eat a portion of any of these
foods at two of your daily meals.
They all contain protein, which
helps to build and repair your
body. You don’t need to eat
meat or fish every day – try
cheese, well-cooked eggs,
beans, lentils or tofu instead. Try
to eat fish twice a week – one
portion of white fish such as
haddock or cod, and one portion
of oily fish such as salmon or
sardines. Oily fish are rich in
vitamin D and a type of fat that
helps to prevent heart disease.
Avoid frying meat or fish.
Breads, Other Cereals
and Potatoes
Have a serving of starchy
food (bread, chapatis,
breakfast cereal, potatoes,
yams, rice or pasta) with
every meal. These foods
give you energy. Wholegrain
foods such as brown rice
or wholegrain bread or
pasta contain B vitamins,
minerals and fibre that
keep you well and help
prevent constipation.
Image: © Africa Studio, shutterstock.com
Healthy
us don’t eat enough fruit and
vegetables, and it can be hard
to know how much a ‘portion’
actually is. Here are a few
simple suggestions, which
count as one portion each:
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Milk and Dairy foods
These foods contain
calcium, which helps to keep
bones strong. Try to have
three servings a day and
choose lower-fat versions,
such as semi-skimmed
milk, half-fat cheese and
low-fat paneer where you
can. A serving can be a
cup of milk, pot of yoghurt,
matchbox-size piece of
cheese or small pot of
cottage cheese. If you’re
vegan or have a milk allergy
or lactose intolerance, try
lactose-free milk or milk and
dairy alternatives fortified
with calcium such as soya,
nut, rice and oat drinks.
Foods Containing
Fat and Sugar
Watch the total amount of
fat in your diet, including
oil and ghee. Limit the
times you eat chips or fried
food. Don’t fill up on foods
containing saturated fat
or sugar such as cakes,
biscuits, sausages and
meat pies; leave room
for more nutritious foods.
Saturated fats raise the
level of cholesterol in the
blood and increase the risk
of heart disease and stroke.
You should aim to eat five
portions a day. Remember
each portion must be
different, and try to choose
foods of different colours
to help you get the range
of vitamins you need.
6 | SPRING 2014
www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire
working hard to improve life for older people
SPRING 2014 | 7
IMPROVE YOUR HEARING
Listening
Event
for Older People
Living in Rural
Bedfordshire
You might be aware that Age UK Bedfordshire
hosted a Listening Event ‘Later Life in Rural
England’ on the 5th December 2013.
T
he event was
arranged for
older people,
Councillors and
MPs to discuss
the challenges faced, by
our local residents, of living
in a rural community.
In conjunction with Age
UK national, this campaign
is designed to define
problems faced by older
people and bring them to
the attention of the public
and people responsible
for the areas they live in.
This article contains the
wide and varied feedback
from the focus groups on
the day and we are sure
you will find it interesting
and thought provoking.
Transport:
• Many older people are
reliant on public transport
as they do not or no longer
drive. The public transport
system is poor in
rural areas or on
routes to hospitals
8 | SPRING 2014
in neighbouring counties
(Milton Keynes, Lister).
• In general the bus
companies seem to be
reducing services.
•B
us drivers don’t appear
to have any courtesy or
empathy for older people
endeavouring to get on/off
buses, moving off before
they are seated. On
some occasions
buses are early
and then do
not wait at the
stops until the
allotted times.
•H
ospital
transport is
a problem
especially for
older carers
or families
endeavouring to
visit loved ones.
Social Activities,
Clubs & Socialising:
• Access to exercise is
important to keep healthy
and active and older people
should be encouraged to
take these up, but transport
needs to be available.
•S
ome churches have good
social access and networks.
These could be used more.
• Isolation for older people
is still key. There is little
communication and time
for anyone to spend with
older people (District nurses
for example) and this has
an impact on wellbeing.
Communities are now
less cohesive and many
neighbours work all day
therefore the social contact
is less than it used to be.
•T
here needs to be a
telephone befriending service
within local communities and
villages so we can better
support people locally.
(Age UK Bedfordshire is
setting this up in 2014)
•C
arers are commonly
isolated and lonely but as
they are in a household this
is not perceived as isolation.
•M
any people would appear
outwardly to be coping but in
fact need help and access to
information to assist them.
•B
owls Club needs financial
support to keep going.
•A
key to socialising and
inclusion is up to date
access and information
about what is available.
Internet & Connectivity:
• Access to internet is still
not readily available in all
areas. This should be taken
into account with services.
• IT is still not available to
all people especially older
people who may not be
able to afford the cost of
hardware or the ongoing
internet provider charges.
• There appears to be little
basic IT training available that
would help those older people
who wish to take up IT.
www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire
Image: © ollyy, shutterstock.com
Age UK Bedfordshire
Some conditions now are
not treated locally causing
issues with trying to get
to out-of-county hospitals
and visiting. Information on
hospital transport is scarce.
• Information is a general
issue. Signposting and
information is lacking
in some areas. Parish
Councils could help by
working in partnership
with voluntary providers to
keep information networks
open and up to date.
• Community transport
organisations appear to
be ceasing which adds
to transport problems.
Low platform buses
are still in short supply
meaning boarding and
disembarking issues for
older people in particular.
• Some NHS services
are now based outside
towns too, in Clapham
for example, and these
are not easily accessible
on public transport.
• Changing communities
mean that many families are
more distant and therefore
the children do not have
regular contact with older
people. This results in
younger people having less
understanding of older people
and vice versa. Schools
could help to minimise this
within the curriculum.
• Could there be potential
schemes to recycle IT to
older people? There are
difficulties as hard drives
can’t be completely cleaned.
• Older people who have no
internet access are suffering
discrimination as many
companies now rely on IT
and online services for billing
etc which are cheaper in
comparison to paper bills.
• The increase of companies
using online forms and
registration facilities mean
that some people cannot
access them or struggle
to get access to forms.
• Shopping is available on
the internet but people
have limited access.
There has been a death
of the village shop.
Public Space:
• Toilets should be available
in towns and rural areas.
• The challenge is getting out
of your house. Transport is a
big thing but you also need
a footpath. These might
not exist or be covered in
parked cars. The speed
limit in many areas in
Bedfordshire is 60mph.
Healthcare:
• Health and Social care
need more home visits and
wheelchair access. Lack of
support from district nurses
and cut backs means it is
a fight to get people home.
Carers from Social Services
are lacking and they need
to look at peoples’ needs.
• There has been a change
as Twinwoods (Clapham)
SEPT, have moved their
clinics to where bus
services are not present;
this is being changed so
access can be improved.
• Some NHS services
are now based outside
towns too, in Clapham for
example, and these are
hard to get to. Transport
is an issue for many
accessing healthcare (see
points under Transport).
• There are surgeries within
GP surgeries which are
being able to provide
access to advice. People
need to know what they
are and how to access
them and they need to be
clearly advertised to them.
Finances:
• There needs to be
a strategy to assist
people to downsize
which would benefit the
whole community.
• Older people are a
growing population
and therefore plans
for the future need
to be made now.
• There is a problem with
poverty for older people
and the concept that the
younger generation are
less well off. Expectations
in society are vastly
different for younger
people now than years
ago. For example eating
out was a luxury but now
it is an expectation.
• The pension age is
getting higher and
higher, are there going
to be jobs out there?
Will this take jobs away
from younger people?
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Other:
• On paper publications
older people with sight
problems find that
black text on a white
background is easier to
read and many designs
are subtle colours
making it hard for older
people to read.
working hard to improve life for older people
SPRING 2014 | 9
4. Eat More Snacks
Steps to
Keeping
Healthy
Take advantage of the summer months to
try some of the steps below to maintain or
improve your health and wellbeing.
1. Put the Kettle On
Dehydration can make us
feel tired and confused,
so it’s important to make
sure that you’re having
enough to drink.
Older people are
particularly susceptible
to dehydration because
we aren’t as sensitive to
the feeling of thirst and
our kidneys don’t function
as efficiently as they did
when we were younger.
NHS guidelines
recommend drinking 8
medium-sized (150ml)
glasses of water each day.
Tea, coffee and squash all
1 0 | SPRING 2014
count towards this total - but
look for low-sugar varieties
and, if you take sugar in
your tea, try to cut down.
2. Floss Before Bed
Using dental floss helps
to prevent gum disease by
removing pieces of food and
plaque from between the teeth.
If it’s left to build up you
might notice sore or bleeding
gums, and studies have
shown links between a build
up of dental plaque and heart
disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes,
strokes and lung disease.
Dental Hygienist Sally Goss,
from The Harley Street Dental
Studio, says: ‘It becomes
especially important to floss
regularly as we get older,
because gums often start to
recede, creating more nooks
and crannies where food and
bacteria can become trapped.
‘I recommend flossing
at least once a day - ideally
before bed. It’s a good idea
to floss before you brush
and if you wear glasses, put
them on first so that you can
see what you’re doing.
‘Dental floss can be
tricky to grip, so I advise
my older patients to use
interdental brushes, which
are easier to hold and can
be moved back and forth
between teeth more easily.
‘Alternatively, there’s a device
called an Air Floss, which fires
a jet of water in between teeth
at the push of a button. When
you use one of these, flossing
takes less than two minutes.’
3. Improve Your Balance
According to NHS guidelines,
healthy adults aged over 65
should aim for at least 150
minutes of moderate activity per
week, plus muscle strengthening
activity on two or more days.
You may have been brought up
to believe that eating between
meals is bad for you, but that’s
really not the case. ‘If you can’t
manage much food in one go,
then eat little and often,’ says
Gaynor Bussell from the British
Dietetic Association. ‘Research
shows that eating regularly
helps prevent weight gain.’
However, that doesn’t
mean that you should fill up
on sugary treats like cakes
and biscuits - half a sandwich,
cheese on toast, soup, a
bowl of cereal or a couple of
crumpets are all good options.
5. Buy a Pair of Trainers
Sore or painful feet can really
affect your ability to lead a full
and active life. It’s tempting to
stay indoors if you can’t find a
pair of comfortable shoes and
relying on slippers can make
some foot problems worse and
increase the risk of slips or falls.
‘Many people wear slippers
if their feet are hurting, but
this can make things worse
as they encourage you to
shuffle rather than letting the
joints work as they should,’
says Mike O’Neil, Consultant
Podiatrist and spokesperson
for the College of Podiatry.
‘A pair of running shoes
is the best option as these
provide a good amount of
shock absorption and stability
and also support the arch.’
Image: © Monkey Business Images, shutterstock.com
‘Yoga and Tai Chi can be
very helpful for older people,
as they help to increase
flexibility and improve balance
and coordination, reducing
the risk of falls,’ says fitness
expert Ben Coomber.
‘Walking, swimming, aqua
aerobics and dancing are
also good, fun ways to build
fitness and you can strengthen
muscles by using light hand
weights as you sit in a chair.’
skin - so it’s no surprise
that many us are deficient,
especially during the winter
months. That’s why many
doctors recommend a daily
vitamin D supplement especially if you’re over 65.
‘Vitamin D is a supplement
really worth taking as its hard
to get enough in the UK,’
says GP Dr Ellie Cannon.
‘We know that vitamin
D is great for bone health
as it helps the body use
calcium, so this is particularly
important for older people.
‘Studies recently have
also shown that it may
lower your chances of
developing some cancers.’
7. Share the Cooking
You can save some time
and money by sharing
cooking duties with friends
‘Cooking for others can
increase your interest in meal
preparation and you can
challenge yourself by cooking
a new dish each week. This
will encourage you to eat a
greater variety of foods and
have a more balanced diet.’
8. Have a Good Laugh
Did you know that laughter
really can be a great remedy
for all kinds of conditions?
Researchers say that it
can help with conditions
including diabetes, eczema,
heart disease and asthma.
It can also boost the
immune system, help
to fight infections, burn
calories and relieve pain.
According to an Oxford
study, it can even have a
positive effect on rheumatoid
arthritis for up to 12 hours. So
As we age we
become more
susceptible to
certain problems
such as cataracts,
floaters, glaucoma
and macular
degeneration.
Emma Coulthurst
We get most of our vitamin
D from sunlight on our
or family. Either take it in
turns to cook once or twice a
week, or join forces to cook
different parts of the meal.
‘If you have lost enthusiasm
for cooking then try and
eat with friends or family
as much as possible,’ says
British Dietetic Association
spokesperson, Gaynor Bussell.
www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire
working hard to improve life for older people
6. Get a Vitamin D Boost
watch your favourite television
comedy, visit a comedy club
or spend time with people
who make you laugh.
9. Book an Eye Test
Your eyesight is probably
changing as a natural part
of the ageing process, but
regular check-ups can
help you to retain the best
possible quality of vision.
Emma Coulthurst,
spokesperson for Specsavers,
says: ‘As we age we become
more susceptible to certain
problems such as cataracts,
floaters, glaucoma and
macular degeneration.
‘This is why we recommend
that people have their eyes
tested at least every two years,
as this means we can diagnose
and treat these conditions early.’
Eye tests are free if you’re
over 60, and Specsavers offers
a 25% discount on glasses
from the £69 range or above
to customers aged 60-plus.
10. Take up a
New Hobby
It’s easy to become lonely
and isolated, especially if you
live alone. A recent report by
think tank Demos found that
over-65s in Britain are lonelier
than those in the Netherlands,
Germany and Sweden.
Experts say that loneliness
increases the risk of heart
disease and dementia and
makes sufferers less likely to
exercise and to drink more.
The best way to get out and
about and spend time with
others is to find a new hobby
and join a club or social group.
It doesn’t matter whether
it’s a book group, a dancing
class, a walking group
or a computer group.
Check with your local
library or community centre
to find out what’s going on
in your area and make it a
regular date in your diary.
11. G
et Your
Hearing Checked
You might think that your
hearing is perfect - and it might
well be. But your hearing can
fade gradually without you
noticing, as the small, hairlike cells within the ear get
worn out over the years.
When this happens, you
don’t go deaf - but you will
find it harder to hear sounds
clearly, particularly if there’s
a lot of background noise.
You may benefit from a
hearing test if other people
comment the volume of
your television or radio is
turned up very high, if you
find it hard to follow dialogue
when watching a film, or
if you struggle to follow a
conversation when more
than one person is talking.
Ask your GP to carry out a
hearing test if you’re worried.
12. Have an Early Night
Many of us have trouble
getting - or staying - asleep
as we get older. This can
leave us tired and grumpy
as, contrary to common
belief, we still need the
same amount of sleep we
did when we were younger.
Napping during the day,
then staying up later in the
evening can just make the
problem worse - it’s more
helpful to establish a regular
routine and get to bed at
a sensible time. So make
a warm, milky drink and
head to bed with a book.
You can listen to the
radio, but avoid watching
television or using a
computer, as these make
it harder to wind down.
13. Exercise Your Brain
New US research shows
that keeping your brain
active by reading, writing,
completing a crossword
or doing a Sudoku puzzle
can help to delay memory
loss and even reduce the
onset, or progression of
Alzheimer’s disease.
However, German
researchers found that you
need to keep your mind AND
body active to get the most
benefit - so 30 minutes of
exercise, such as gardening,
housework or a gentle walk,
combined with 30 minutes of
puzzle-solving, on top of your
usual daily activities, could
help to ward off dementia.
SPRING 2014 | 11
You could be in the Algarve,
relaxing in the sun...
Image: © LeventeGyori, shutterstock.com
Cancer
Support
Visit: www.marie
curie.org.uk Helpline:
0800 716 146
Being referred for suspected cancer or being
diagnosed with cancer can produce a range of
emotions – shock, worry, fear, anger – and raise
questions both immediately and once you leave
the consulting room. Your GP or consultant or
specialist nurse should be able support you with
information and details of local support groups.
Emotional Support
and Information
There are a number of
national charities such as
Macmillan Cancer Support
and Cancer Research
UK that offer practical
and emotional support
and information to people
affected by cancer. This
includes families and
friends too. Support is
available through their
help lines, websites,
discussion forums and
wide ranging leaflets.
They can also signpost
to charities dedicated
to particular cancers.
Financial Support
Having treatment for cancer
can mean making frequent
visits to hospital and paying
for car parking. You may
be eligible for help towards
these costs through the
NHS low income scheme
or you may find the hospital
offers special parking
concessions if you make
regular visits for treatment.
Contact Macmillan
Cancer Support’s benefits
helpline if you have
1 2 | SPRING 2014
financial difficulties due to
these or other costs during or
following your treatment. They
can explain the help you may
be eligible to receive, whether
you work or are retired. If you
were working before your
diagnosis and your return to
work is delayed or you are
unable to return to work, you
will be entitled to income
from either your employer
or Department of Work and
Pensions (DWP). Contact your
employer or local Job Centre
Plus office for information.
Further Information
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is the
world’s leading independent
organisation dedicated to
funding cancer research. It
is a charity funded almost
entirely by the public.
Cancerhelp UK is their
patient information website.
Their helpline is staffed
by specialist nurses.
Visit: www.cancer
researchuk.org and www.
cancerhelp.org.uk Helpline:
0808 800 4040 (freephone)
working in the community
and in hospices offering
day and in-patient care provides care mainly for
people with cancer but
also other life threatening
illnesses. Speak to your
GP, district nurse or
hospital doctor for more
information about the help
they offer in your area.
A spacious 1 bedroom
apartment with shared
swimming pool. The
apartment is situated
on the top floor of a 3
storey block. Sleeps 4.
Quiet location, but only
5 mins walk to the marina
and another 5 mins to
the town centre.
Nov - Mar £190
Apr & Oct £255
May & Sept £290
June £330
July & Aug £410
Self Catering
Holiday Apartment
• Twin bedroom.
• Open plan kitchen & lounge.
• Family sized bathroom.
• The lounge has a sofa (which
converts into two single beds)
and a table to seat four.
• A TV, DVD and CD player
are also available.
• Patio doors open onto the
balcony, offering views over the
pool and across Lagos.
• Parking spaces in front of the building.
NHS Cancer
Screening Programmes
The website explains the
screening programmes for
breast, cervical and bowel
cancer. You can download
booklets that explain how
the programmes work.
Visit: www.cancer
screening.nhs.uk
Phone Judith on 01536 711884
www.algarveestatemanagement.co.uk
apt meia
NHS Choices
Cancer Counselling Trust
The Trust offers a series of free
confidential counselling sessions
- either face to face or by
telephone if you live too far from
their London base - to anyone
affected by a cancer diagnosis.
Visit: www.cancer
counselling.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7843 2292
Carers UK
Carers UK is a charity
providing information and
advice to carers about
their rights and how to get
financial and other support.
They also have a network of
around 80 local branches.
Visit: www.carersuk.org
Carersline: 0808 808
7777 (freephone)
Carers Direct
Carers Direct is an online
resource and helpline
providing information, advice
and support for carers.
Visit: www.nhs.uk/
carersdirect Helpline:
0808 802 0202
Direct Gov
This government website
has special sections on
‘money, tax and benefits’
and ‘caring for someone.’
These explain the financial
and other support available
and how you can get it.
Visit: www.direct.gov.uk
Macmillan Cancer Support
to improve the lives of people
affected by cancer by providing
practical, medical, emotional
and financial support and
campaign for better cancer
care. Their helpline staff can
answer questions about living
with cancer and signpost to
charities dedicated to particular
types of cancer. Macmillan
nurses and other health
professionals can support
you while in hospital and once
you go home. Speak to your
GP, district nurse or hospital
doctor if you think it would
be helpful to be put in touch
with a Macmillan nurse.
Visit: www.macmillan.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 808 00 00
Marie Curie Cancer Care
The Health A-Z section
of this website contains
information on the
symptoms, diagnosis and
treatment of many types
of cancer. It also includes
video interviews with
specialists and patients.
Visit: www.nhs.uk
NICE Guidance
You can check this website
to find out which types
of cancer are covered
by NICE guidance. Look
for a patient version of
any Guidance document.
You can find it under the
heading – NICE guidance
written for patients and
carers. You can order it in
booklet form or download
it from the website.
Visit: www.nice.org.uk
Orderline: 0845 003 7783
Macmillan Cancer Support is
a national charity that aims
Marie Curie Cancer Care through its Marie Curie nurses
www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire
working hard to improve life for older people
CONTACT US NOW FOR
YOUR FREE 2014 BROCHURE
200 FANTASTIC DAYS OUT!
Towns & Villages • Coastal • Theatres •
• Steam Trains • River Cruises •
Selection of future day excursions:-
23 May - Chelsea Flower Show • 06 June - View from
the Shard • 06 July - Cotswolds & Cream Tea Steam
Train • 03 July - Highgrove Garden • 12 July - Hampton
Court Flower Show • 30 July - Sandringham Flower
Show • 28 August Houses of Parliment Tour • 14 Sept
- Stonehenge & Salisbury • 28 Sep Buckingham Palace
HOLIDAYS & SHORT BREAKS
Lots of new destinations
• Isle of Wight • Babbacombe • Portsmouth Maritime Weekend
• Lancashire Hotpot • Highlight of Norfolk
• Enchanting Exmouth & all the old favourites
SPRING 2014 | 13
These seven building
blocks were:
1. Paying for care in a fair
and transparent way.
2. Having access to
care and support
with no chance of
being left without it.
3. Receiving high quality
care and support.
4. Receiving dignified
care and support in
order to live safely and
with self-respect.
5. Ensuring carers are
supported so that family
or friends providing care
are not expected to
sacrifice health, career
or financial security.
6. Having a simple,
easy to understand
system in place.
7. Being able to plan
in advance before
needing care.
C
Care in Crisis Campaign
www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire
proposals to prevent and tackle
abuse and neglect in health and
care settings. However there
is still much work to be done.
Age UK across the nation
wants a care system where
people can access the
care they need and in 2012
together we identified seven
building blocks needed to
make the social care system
work for older people.
A few events that are
taking place over the
next few months.
30th March
British Summer time begins
30th March
Mothering Sunday
13th April
Palm Sunday
13th April
London Marathon
17th April
Maundy Thursday
18th April
Good Friday
20th April
Easter Sunday
21st April
Easter Monday
23rd April
St Georges Day
1st May
May Day
5th May
Spring Bank Holiday
26th May
Whit Sunday
27th May
Whit Monday
6th April
The Oxford and
Cambridge Boat Race
14th June
Trooping the Colour
15th June
Father’s Day
25th August
Summer Bank Holiday
Image: © Brian A Jackson, shutterstock.com
1 4 | SPRING 2014
What is Social Care?
Social care is any service
designed to help people
with support needs to
live well. This could be
someone coming into
your home to help with
tasks like washing,
dressing, getting in and
out of bed and going to
the toilet, right up to 24/7
support in a care home.
Image: © Alexander Raths, shutterstock.com
What
is Next
for Social
Care?
are services
should protect
people who are
vulnerable, enable
a decent quality
of life, support independence
and encourage people
to remain active.
Age UK nationally has been
campaigning for Government
to look at care for older people
and make changes. Recent
changes to local authority
budgets have had a huge
impact on the care system,
and we are now witnessing
the devastating effect of this
ever growing funding gap. In
real terms, spending on social
care has fallen by around
£770 million since 2010.
There have been some steps
in the right direction - the Care
Bill, a cap on care costs, and
The above steps have
gone some way to help the
situation but more needs
to be done in the future to
protect older people and
their health and social
care. The Care Bill that has
been a potential landmark
piece of legislation will be
jeopardised unless it is
matched with sustainable
funding so that older and
disabled people who
need care can get it.
Age UKs across the
country are continuing
to bring the issues to the
attention of both local MPs
and the Government.
Dates for
Your Diary
For more information
on this campaign you
can visit the website
www.ageuk.org.uk/
careincrisis where you
will find updates, be able
to join the campaign,
and find the latest
report from Age UK.
working hard to improve life for older people
SPRING 2014 | 15
Image: © Africa Studio, shutterstock.com
What
You
Didn’t
Know
About…
world, and this will become
more crucial. Women
and children (in the main)
having to walk three hours
and more to collect fresh
water every day devastates
family and community.
Q: Do you plan on
retiring ever?
A: No! Of course I will
leave paid employment at
a sensible time but expect
to enjoy my retirement
continuing a number of my
passions in a different way.
Q: If you met God, what
would you say to him?
A: Thank you.
Q: What advice would
you give to the next
Prime Minister?
A: Stay in the
European Union.
Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP
Conservative Party for North East Bedfordshire
Q: Do you have a
favourite joke?
A: What did one highland
cow say to another?
Och Aye the Moo!
This is a where we ask a prominent local person a
series of questions that aim get behind their public
persona. This quarter we have invited Alistair Burt.
Q: Who was the last
person you hugged?
A: My wife! And I hug
all my family a lot.
Q: How much is a
pint of milk?
A: Depends where
you shop. 69p from
our milkman or 4965p in stores.
Q: Who has been the
biggest influence
on your life? A: My father, in terms
of deciding on public
service career. The way
he looked after patients
influenced how I have done
my job with the public.
Q: What are the most
important lessons
you’ve learned in life?
1 6 | SPRING 2014
A: That not to have a
vocation or mission leads
to a feeling of emptiness.
Q: What are your
hopes and dreams for
future generations?
A: That they live in a world
with less conflict and more
equality between nations.
Q: How would you like
to be remembered?
A: More London Marathons
than any other MP!
Q: If you could hold on to just
one memory from your life
forever, what would that be?
A: My wife and I having one
day alone at Lake Como before
a conference. Perfect day.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Bury, Lancashire, a little
town with everything, the
school that made me,
fine church, and a football
club to follow forever!
Q: One book one
record, desert island?
A: Janis Ian – ‘Between the
Lines’, and ‘Down & Out in
Paris’ by George Orwell.
A sharpened sense of
the future and a greater
awareness of what
matters to younger
people in their world.
Q: What did you think
you were going to be
when you grew up?
A: A footballer, then a lawyer.
Q: If you could wave
a wand and make one
significant change on the
planet what would it be?
A: Universal access to clean
water. I have seen the effect
the lack of access to water has
on communities around the
Q: How has being a
parent changed you?
A: …and grandparent!
Q: What was the
worst thing you did
as a teenager?
A: Got arrested for
stealing a belisha
beacon in London – no
conviction though!
www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire
working hard to improve life for older people
Q: Which radio station
do you listen to more
than any other?
A: R5live - for the football!
Q: Do you get nervous
before making a speech?
A: If well prepared then
no, sometimes a new
audience can be genuinely
daunting if they know a
subject incredibly well.
But I usually get rid of
the nerves while I’m
compiling the speech.
Q: Are you a cat
or dog person?
A: Dog. My mother
bred dogs and we have
had dogs in our family
until recent years.
Companionable and loving
- the very best of friends.
Q: Current ‘can’t miss’
tv programme?
A: Sky news!
Q: The one defining
moment when you
knew you wanted to
be a politician?
A: I had been involved in
the Conservative Party
as a schoolboy – but the
defining moment came
post-University and Law
School when I phoned the
Hornsey & Wood Green
Conservative Association
to volunteer for the 1981
GLC election campaign
and committed again to
working for a Party.
Q: If you won
Euromillions
what would you
splash out on?
A: 1903 FA Cup Final
Programme, Bury
vs Derby County.
Q: What book(s) are
you currently reading?
A: Alex Ferguson’s
autobiography, David
Beckham’s autobiography,
and ‘The Idle Traveller,
the art of slow travel’
by Dan Kieran.
Q: Do you have a
sporting hero?
A: David Bedford - my
first sporting hero as a
school cross country
runner and a man I’ve
got to know through the
London Marathon. And Sir
Bobby Charlton, football’s
gentleman, who supplied
the pass from which I
scored a goal in a charity
match at Old Trafford.
SPRING 2014 | 17
S
epsis is not just
limited to the blood
and can affect
the whole body,
including the organs.
Sepsis is a life-threatening
illness caused by the body
overreacting to an infection.
The body’s immune
system goes into overdrive,
setting off a series of
reactions that can lead to
widespread inflammation
(swelling) and blood clotting.
the body. The most common
sites of infection leading to
sepsis are the lungs, urinary
tract, abdomen and pelvis.
Sources of Infection
Types of infection
associated with
sepsis include:
• lung infection (pneumonia)
• flu (influenza)
• appendicitis
• infection of the lining
of the digestive
system (peritonitis)
• an infection of the bladder,
urethra or kidneys
(urinary tract infection)
• skin infections, such as
cellulitis, often caused
when an intravenous
drip or catheter has
been inserted into the
body through the skin
• post-surgical (after
surgery) infections
• infections of the nervous
system, such as
meningitisor encephalitis
Symptoms usually
develop quickly
and include:
• a fever or high
temperature over
38°C (100.4°F)
• chills
• a fast heartbeat
• fast breathing
In severe cases
you may notice:
• you feel dizzy when
you stand up
• confusion or
disorientation
• nausea and vomiting
Although anybody can
develop sepsis from a minor
infection, some people
are more vulnerable.
Such as Those:
Stages of Sepsis
Sepsis develops in three
stages, described below.
1. U
ncomplicated sepsis is
caused by infections, such
1 8 | SPRING 2014
What are the symptoms
and how can we avoid it?
In approximately one in five
cases, the infection and source
of sepsis cannot be detected.
What Causes the
Symptoms of Sepsis?
Sepsis is often referred to as either blood poisoning
or septicaemia, although it could be argued
that both terms are not entirely accurate.
Source: NHS England and Age UK Bedfordshire
as flu or dental abscesses.
It is very common and
does not usually require
hospital treatment.
2. Severe sepsis occurs
when the body’s response
to infection has started to
interfere with the function
of vital organs, such as the
heart, kidneys, lungs or liver.
3. S
eptic shock occurs in
severe cases of sepsis,
when your blood pressure
drops to a dangerously
low level, preventing your
vital organs from receiving
enough oxygenated blood.
If it is not treated, sepsis can
progress from uncomplicated
sepsis to septic shock and
can eventually lead to multiple
organ failure and death.
If you think you have
sepsis, it is important to get
it diagnosed and treated as
quickly as possible. Contact
your GP immediately or
visit the A&E department
of your local hospital.
If you think that you or
someone in your care has
severe sepsis or septic
shock, phone 999 and
ask for an ambulance.
Severe sepsis and septic
shock are considered medical
emergencies and normally
require admission to an
intensive care unit, where the
body’s organs can be supported
while the infection is treated.
Because of problems with
vital organs, people with severe
sepsis are likely to be very ill,
and approximately 30-50% will
die as a result of the condition.
It is estimated that there are
over 30,000 cases of severe
sepsis in the UK every year, and
the number seems to be rising.
This means that around 10,000
www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire
to 15,000 people die as a result
of contracting severe sepsis.
Help to avoid becoming
part of these statistics.
Image: © lenetstan, shutterstock.com
• with a medical condition
or receiving medical
treatment that weakens
their immune system
• who are already
in hospital with a
serious illness
• who are very young
or very old
• who have just had
surgery or who have
wounds or injuries as
a result of an accident
What is
Sepsis?
Remember the early signs: high
temperature, fast breathing,
a quickened heart rate and
chills. If you have any or all of
these symptoms phone your
doctor. Don’t wait! Sadly, too
many people are no longer
with us because they did
not want to bother their GP.
Be a bother - stay alive.
Sepsis can be triggered
by an infection in any part of
Usually, your immune system
will keep the infection limited
to one place (known as a
localised infection). Your body
will produce white blood cells,
which travel to the site of the
infection to destroy the germs
causing infection. A series of
biological processes occur, such
as tissue swelling, which helps
fight the infection and prevents
it spreading. This process is
known as inflammation.
If your immune system
is weakened or an infection
is particularly severe, it can
spread through the blood into
other parts of the body. This
causes the immune system
to go into overdrive, and
the process of inflammation
affects the entire body.
working hard to improve life for older people
This can cause more
problems than the initial
infection, as widespread
inflammation damages tissue
and interferes with the flow of
blood, leading to a dangerous
drop in blood pressure,
which stops oxygen reaching
your organs and tissue.
People at Risk
Everybody is potentially at
risk of developing sepsis from
minor infections, such as flu.
However, some people
are more vulnerable,
including people who:
• have a medical condition,
such as HIV or leukaemia,
that weakens their
immune system
• are receiving medical
treatment, such
as chemotherapy,
that weakens their
immune system
• are very young or very old
• have just had surgery, or
have wounds or injuries
as a result of an accident
• are on mechanical
ventilation
• with drips or catheters
attached to their skin
• are genetically prone
to infection
Sepsis is a particular risk for
people already in hospital
due to another serious illness.
Despite the best efforts of
doctors and nurses, secondary
infections acquired in hospital
are always a potential risk.
Hospital-acquired bacterial
infections, such as MRSA,
tend to be more serious as
the bacteria causing the
infection have often developed
a resistance to antibiotics.
In the case of suspected
sepsis, it is important to
get a diagnosis as soon as
possible so that appropriate
treatment can be given. This
can help stop the progress
of sepsis and any long-term
damage to the body.
If your sepsis is detected
early enough and has not
affected organ or tissue
function (uncomplicated
sepsis), it may be possible to
treat the condition at home.
You will be prescribed a
course of antibiotic tablets.
If the sepsis is severe, or
you develop septic shock,
you will need emergency
hospital treatment, usually
in an care unit (ICU). ICUs
are able to support any
affected body function,
such as breathing or
blood circulation, while
the medical staff focus on
treating the infection.
Antibiotics
Severe sepsis is treated with
intravenous antibiotics (given
directly into a vein). There
will not usually be time to
wait until a specific type of
infection has been identified,
so ‘broad-spectrum’
antibiotics will initially be
given. Broad-spectrum
antibiotics are designed
to work against a wide
range of known infectious
bacteria, and can also treat
some fungal infections.
Once a specific
bacterium has been
identified, a more ‘focused’
antibiotic can be used.
This has the advantage
of reducing the chance
of the bacteria becoming
resistant to antibiotics.
You can help to protect
yourself from getting
sepsis by maintaining
good personal hygiene
habits, such as washing
your hands regularly (not
just after using the toilet),
avoiding putting your hands
and fingers in your mouth.
Especially avoiding nail
biting and nibbling the skin
around your nails. Treat all
cuts with an antiseptic and
keep a close eye on their
progress. Don’t try and
go it alone. If in any doubt
contact your GP or A & E.
SPRING 2014 | 19
Puzzle
Page
Solutions to all three
puzzles can be
found on page 22
Sudoku
7
5
2
4
9
1
4
2
5
2
8
6
The Game of Logic
Place each of the
digits 1 to 9 in each
row, column and
3x3 box. There is
only one solution.
2
8
9
Quick Quiz
Test your knowledge
in our seasonal
themed Quick Quiz.
3
2
1
8
6
7
5
1
2
2. Alice Springs is located
in which Australian state?
3
7
3
3
8
R
S
D
U
B
G
S
I
A
A
S
W
E
G
T
R
A
L
Which One
is Missing?
Can you find which
seasonal word
is missing from
the list below?
G
I
F
R
T
U
L
S
O
I
N
A
U
A
L
E
E
W
G
S
I
L
E
I
N
E
S
BUDS
FLOWERS
GRASS
RAIN
SEEDS
SPRING
TULIPS
Umbrella
S
S
L
R
B
P
B
D
I
A
P
B
U
P
S
P
S
N
E
M
R
M
P
S
R
O
A
U
D
F
L
O W
E
R
S
5. The play ‘Springtime
for Hitler’ features in
which comedy film?
6. Spring Symphony
is the nickname of
which of Schumann’s
symphonies?
2 0 | SPRING 2014
with their thoughts, views on
topics raised in the magazine
or support they have received
from Age UK Bedfordshire.
Please write to: The
Editor, Age UK Bedfordshire,
Voice, 78-82 Bromham Rd,
Bedford MK40 2QH
or Email: voice@
ageukbedfordshire.org.uk.
We look forward to
hearing from you next time…
Jobs to be Done
in the Garden in
Spring Include…
7. Which vegetable is
known as a scallion in
Northern Ireland?
8. Which marmot is
traditionally used as
indicator of an early
spring in Northern
Hemisphere countries?
9. In Greek mythology,
who is the Goddess
of Spring Growth?
Remember the next edition
will be available from
early September so if you
have any stories, events
going on or photographs
please send them in.
www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire
I
t is such a delight to
see the garden bursting
into life with the colours
of bright flowers and
blossom. As soon as
the sun came out I pottered
around in the garden tidying
the borders. My roses already
had aphids on them due to
the mild weather so keep
an eye out for these pests
throughout the warmer
weather. I think I shall plant a
Buddleja this year to help provide
the butterflies with nectar.
It is also the right time
of year to think about other
gardening needs. I recently
visited Greenfingered Grandpa’s
grave and was delighted to
see the flowers in full bloom
and took advantage of some
sunshine to tidy up and remove
some old leaves and debris.
working hard to improve life for older people
• Protect new spring
shoots from slugs (be
careful when using slug
pellets if you own pets)
• Top dress containers
with fresh compost
(remove old leaves to
discourage vine weevil)
• Mow the lawn on dry days
when necessary and
apply weed and feed
• Deal with weeds before
they get out of hand
• Open the greenhouse or
conservatory doors and
vents on warm days
•P
rune spring-flowering shrubs
after they have flowered
• Plant your bedding plants
outside when the last
frosts have passed
Mr Singh from Toddington
contacted me recently with the
following question: ‘My compost
pile is really smelly, all I want
to do is put it on the garden!
What is wrong with it?’
Compost can build up
excess hydrogen sulfide
or nitrogen which cause
unpleasant smells. The best
way to deal with this is to turn
the pile to release the gases
and introduce more air into
the compost. Try to add less
nitrogen-rich items if the smell
is like ammonia. A good mix
of green and brown material
is best. Greens include
old kitchen waste such as
vegetable peelings, fruit skins,
weeds (not ivy or bindweed
as this will grow), tea bags,
grass cuttings and herbivore
animal manure (such as horse
manure which can rot down
to make a good well-rotted
fertiliser). Browns include
cardboard, shredded paper
and tougher hedge clippings.
Avoid meat, fish, cooked food,
coal ash, cat litter, dog faeces
and disposable nappies.
Above all a good mixture of
ingredients is best with some
moisture, air and patience.
SPRING 2014 | 21
Image: © Alexander Raths, shutterstock.com
W
After the very wet winter I
hope spring and summer
will be more settled.
4. The ‘Springtime of
the Peoples’ occurred in
Europe in which year?
Share Your Voice With Us…
e are looking
to publish
a selection
of articles
where readers
write into the magazine
Greenfingered
Grandma
3. Narcissus
pseudonarcissus is
the Latin name for
which Spring flower?
7
Wordsearch
1. What is the Spring
Equinox traditionally
known as?
Gardening with…
Charlie Chuckles
Every issue Charlie Chuckles will do his best to make you smile!
Charlies
Comical
Quickies!
What do you call
a fake noodle?
An Impasta
I’m on a
whisky diet…
last week I lost
three days!
Sally Walked in to the Dentist…
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6
1. The Vernal Equinox, 2. Northern Territory,
3. Daffodil, 4. 1848, 5. The Producers, 6.
Symphony Number 1, 7. Spring Onion,
8. The Groundhog, 9. Persephone
5
7
4
1
2 2 | SPRING 2014
E
from Page 20
W
Answers&Solutions
O
“Well,” said the Dentist
after a long pause, “…I
My wife said…
‘Take me in your
arms and whisper
something soft
and sweet’
I replied…
‘chocolate fudge’
“Perfect,” said Sally
happily. “I would
like to make an
appointment for
next Tuesday, for
my husband Jack.”
L
“Only £30?,” countered Sally,
“that’s still £100, you’ve
got to make it cheaper!”
F
“£130! (gasped Sally)
that’s ridiculous! There
must be a way for
you to go cheaper.”
suppose if we take
it out with a wrench
we could knock it
down to £50.”
D
“It’s £130,” was the
prompt reply.
“Well,” said the Dentist
thoughtfully “I suppose
if we don’t numb it, we
could knock off £30.”
U
“How much do you
charge to pull out a
tooth?” She asked.
What happens if
you eat yeast and
shoe polish?
Every morning you’ll
rise and shine!
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