WINTER EDITION

Did you Know? ...Assisted Refuse Collections

chairsCOMMENTS

THE VOICE OF THE OLDER PERSON

I was pleased to hear from DVA at our AGM of the works that has been happening to speak to older people about accessible transport in Dundee and look forward to seeing what happens next. We held a very successful AGM where we elected 2 new members to the Committee. We look forward to working with you over this next year. If anyone is interested in finding out more about what is involved with being a Committee member, then please do get in touch.Age Scotland are reporting that approx. 40,000 older Scots are likely to spend Christmas alone.

If you know of any older person who is going to be alone, then please do consider them at Christmas. Consider delivering a small gift or invite them round for a coffee. A small act of kindness can go a long way to improving someone’s overall wellbeing.

Wishing you a Healthy and Happy Christmas.

Jackie, Chair

2017

Did you know that anyone aged over 70 is entitled to have back door assistance to take out and put back their bins for collection? This means that your bins will be put out for collection and brought back in again once emptied by the Scaffolding staff. This service is only available for general waste (grey) bins, paper and card (blue) bins and metals, plastics and cans (burgundy) bins. Assisted collection services are not available for garden waste (brown) bins or food waste bins.

This service also applies to those burgundy bins still in use for mixed glass.There is no qualification criteria if you are 70 or over. If you are aged under 70, but have a health issue which means you struggle to take the bins out, there are some health criteria which you must meet in order to receive the service.

NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERSOur newly elected Committee are:• Jackie Irvine – Chair• Bob Stewart – Vice Chair• Margaret Hume –

Secretary• Rita Smart – Treasurer• Helen Reeves - Members

Secretary• Jan Goodall• Helen Reeves • Martin Anderson• Wilf Lakie• Margaret RossShould any member wish to be co-opted in the future, then please get in touch.

To find out more about this service, please contact Dundee City Council on 01382 434000.

United Nations International Day of the Older PersonWe enjoyed attending the first ever Annual Activities Fest to celebrate United Nations International Day of the Older Person in Showcase the Street on October 1st. The event was set up to celebrate and showcase the range of activities in Dundee available for over 50s.

We played walking football, boccia, walking netball, table tennis, walking basketball, strength and balance bingo, low impact circuit class and yoga to name but a few. We also took part in a line dancing lesson and learnt to play the ukulele too. A great time was had by all. Over 300 people were in attendance on the day and feedback was exceptionally positive.

We spoke to a number of older people at our stall and were able to highlight the importance of our work for older people in Dundee. Below are just a few photos of the fun we had. Submitted by

Rita

ANNUAL ACTIVITIES FEST

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AGM REPORT

Thanks...to outgoing committee member, Roger Keech for his input on the Committee over the past year. We have enjoyed working with you and hope you will continue to represent the views of older people.

As mentioned in the last edition, DVA on behalf of the Health and Social Care Partnership have been consulting with the elderly, frail and vulnerable to establish what it is that prevents them from getting out and enjoying the things that they like to do.

The consultation ran throughout September and into October and we received responses from nearly 300 people in total. We went into different community areas and chapped on doors, interviewed people and left freepost postcards in a number of locations. We also attended focus groups with Celebrate Age Network, Maggies Centre, Stroke Club and various other organisations. Social Care Staff and Sheltered Housing Wardens also engaged directly with their clients.

It is clear from the responses given that a range of solutions are required to meet the needs of the most isolated, lonely and vulnerable people in the City. There is a requirement for a more flexible, personalised transport system that will assist in getting people out of their homes, enjoying their lives and doing what they want to do. A number of priorities stand out that people would like to be able to do:

• Getting to a range of health appointments

• Getting shopping or managing heavy shopping is challenging

• Socialising

• Taking part in activities

• Visit friends/ family

Some of the City’s most vulnerable people have no access

to transport to get to hospital or doctor’s appointments. A number of responders talked about their hobbies, or the things that they used to enjoy like dancing, fishing, theatre, cinema trips etc. but are now

unable to do as a result of not being able to access transport. It is significant that people are talking about their basic everyday needs not being met but the wider isolation issues about taking part in activities, enjoying hobbies and getting out and about to live happy, healthy lives are also a priority that may be further down people’s own priority list but are just as important.

So what’s next?We plan to feedback the findings to the stakeholder group (whom CAN are a part of) who were keen to take this information to the elected members to lobby them for change. DVA are keen that a working group be established involving key stakeholders and partners including CAN, to discuss the findings of this consultation with a view to developing creative, innovative partnership solutions that meet the needs of our most isolated citizens. We will keep you posted on progress.

Submitted by Angie Ballantyne, Team Manager

Community Planning, Dundee Voluntary Action

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‘What stops you getting out?’TRANSPORT CONSULTATION UPDATE

Review of Sheltered Housing

As of 1 April 2018 Dundee City Council will be the only provider of sheltered housing for older people in Dundee. Over recent years housing associations such as Bield and Abertay have chosen to change to what they describe as ‘retirement housing’. Although they continue to have staff on site to assist with housing matters, they no longer provide any support to tenants. The changes to sheltered housing will not affect the Very Sheltered Housing or Housing with Care schemes which are provided by Bield, Hillcrest and Caledonia Housing Associations.

Although support will no longer be provided in the traditional way, a floating housing support service called HOPE (Helping Older People Engage) will be available to all those who wish to receive their assistance. In addition, a morning call service provided by DialOp will be offered to those tenants who would prefer to continue to have a reassurance call each morning.

Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership will continue to work closely with Caledonia, Hillcrest, Home (Scotland) and Sanctuary Scotland housing associations to make this transition as smooth as possible. Further group and individual meetings with tenants and families are to be arranged in the coming weeks.

Submitted by Mike Andrews, Resource Manager, Dundee Health & Social Care Partnership

Funeral Poverty I attended a meeting about how we could be tackling Funeral Poverty, not just in Dundee but across the country.

The cost of a modest funeral in Dundee is £3784. A family on benefits can get a Funeral Grant of £1429 only, leaving them with a shortfall of £2355. It costs £545 for each grave to be dug and to buy a burial plot in the first place would currently cost £1304. This makes Dundee close to being the most expensive area in Scotland for purchasing a burial plot. If you think it would be cheaper to order a cremation, you are correct, but it would still cost £1070 making the cost of a cremation in Dundee the highest in the whole of Scotland. These costs are the basic costs before the gravestone, coffin, flowers etc.

Clearly the Government should be forced to bring down the cost of funerals substantially, but this will only come about if pressure is put on the Government and these figures made much more widely known across the country and the political spectrum.

We heard from Andrew Burke, the Affordable Funeral Poverty Manager at Scottish Government who told us about the creation of the National Funeral Poverty Group and the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 which responds to recommendations of burial review groups and will look at critical review standards; strengthen consumer protection of pre-paid plans and deliver a social innovation fund which can help Social Enterprise Networks to look at tackling funeral poverty.

Suggestions on how this could be carried out across the country with the assistance of the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 would be to introduce a funerals savings/loan account with the Credit Union that would be guaranteed by the Scottish Government rather than Credit Unions; introduce an advisory service/ one stop shop to give awareness of all finance costs and affordability options and increase the DWP Social Fund (funeral grant) payment.

We heard about the ‘Bury the Debt’ campaign and that the UK Funeral Poverty Alliance has written to the Chancellor to request an increase to the social fund payment (for the 2 parts – cost of burial/cremation and capped at £700 for all the other services). This would be £1377 if it was increased in

the same way that the cost of funerals has increased. Whatever happens in this UK-wide ‘Bury the Debt’ campaign will impact on what can and will happen in Scotland. There is a petition on the 38degrees website called ‘Bury the Debt’ that we would ask everyone to complete. You can do so at http://fairfuneralscampaign.org.uk/content/chancellor-told-bury-debt-grieving-families Please help us to put pressure on the government to reduce these costs. Submitted by Roger Keech, CAN Member

Scottish Government Consultation on the Free Bus Pass

Thanks to the members who fed in their thoughts to us on this Consultation into the Concessionary Bus Pass to be included in our formal response to the consultation.

The options being consulted on were: Keep the status quo for age eligibility to 60yrs or increase the age of eligibility in line with Stage Pension age? If increasing from 60 to the State Pension Age should this be done in one go, or over stages?

In relation to increasing the age limit, we felt that as it is well known that you get your free bus pass as it is a universal benefit linked to the retirement pension, that it should remain as that, in line with the age at which you get the State Pension. We felt it should be done at once rather than in stages as this would be too difficult to administer.

We were also being consulted on whether the bus pass scheme should be extended to Modern Apprenticeships (up to age 21) also, since a commitment had been made from the Scottish Government to give them free travel. We felt that by favouring Modern Apprentices, the Scottish Government would be favourably discriminating against any other young people under the age of 21 in low paid jobs, who have not been lucky enough to get a modern apprenticeship and who also have to travel considerable journeys and the impact that this has on their budgets. We suggested instead that Scottish Government incentivise Modern Apprenticeships by increasing the minimum wage and reducing the cost of bus travel. Submitted by the Committee

CAN RepresentationWe represent the views of Older People at a number of meetings and strategic working groups on a variety of topics. Here are just a few of the meetings we have attended recently to represent your views.

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New Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey Service This new service is a partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support and the Health and Social Care Partnership which aims to ensure that people living with cancer in Dundee are able to live as well and as independently as possible by ensuring that they have access to all the information and support they need. This service will provide practical, personal and emotional support to all people affected by cancer based on a person-centred holistic needs assessment and what matters most to the individual. That can mean anything from helping people access tailored information and support, getting help with money and housing worries, to securing some help at home.

People can refer themselves to the service by getting in touch on 01382 433340 or by email at improving.cancerjourney@dundeecity.gov.uk. There is also a referral form on the website at www.dundeehscp.com/lets-talk/projects/dundee-macmillan-improving-cancer-journey for people to complete. You can also be referred from other local Macmillan projects, Dundee City Council services, some CNSs (breast and lung in the first instance) and voluntary organisations. From 11 September 2017, people who are newly diagnosed in Dundee will automatically receive a letter from NHS Scotland about the service.

Hearing Aid Battery and Re-Tubing ServiceThe Ninewells Health Shop is offering something new. From November, their trained Health Shop volunteers will be offering a free hearing aid battery and re-tubing service every Tuesday afternoon from 1.30-3.30pm. The re-tubing service can be carried out on NHS issued hearing aids that are non-dome or slim tube fitted. A battery replacement service is

also being offered, providing the client’s yellow book can be provided.

This service is being supported by NHS Tayside’s audiology service and will run alongside the following battery replacement sessions. To find out more contact Jodi.moodie@nhs.net or call 01382 633859.

Day and Time Service

Monday 1.30 – 3.30pm Battery Replacement

Tuesday 1.30pm – 3.30pm Re-tubing & Battery Replacement

Wednesday 10 – 12.30pm Battery Replacement

Thursday 10 – 12.30pm Battery Replacement

Calling All Grandparents and Grandchildren As part of Leisure and Sport’s commitment to providing opportunities for regular, lifelong participation in sport and physical activities for everyone, regardless of age or ability, Dundee’s Olympia Leisure Centre are creating a swim ticket that will allow Grandparents to bring their Grandchildren to Olympia to access the toddler pool with its fun slides and interactive features.

Come and have a brilliant day out while spending some quality time with your grandchild.

This new initiative will be launched in the New Year so keep in touch through Facebook www.facebook.com/leisureandsportdundee/ or our website at www.leisureandculturedundee.com/leisure/olympia-home

For further information on this initiative and other programmes Olympia run please contact Steve Welsh, Olympia Team Leader, on Tel: 01382 432408 or email steve.welsh@leisureandculturedundee.com

Signposting

Coats n Quilts Coats n Quilts are looking for referrals to provide warm winter coats, hats, scarfs

and gloves for vulnerable and elderly people in Dundee and want to distribute them as soon as possible.

If you are elderly and struggle to afford a new coat, or know someone who could benefit from this service then please contact Janice on 07852 695 867 or by email

on coatsnquilts@outlook.com

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Some people find it difficult or impossible to use the telephone and may need to contact their hospital,

health centre or GP in other ways. Others may need a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter or an Electronic Notetaker in order to follow medical advice being verbally given to them.In June this year, the Scottish Government introduced new Health and Social Care Standards which aim to make it easier for people who are Deaf or have hearing loss to access healthcare. Action on Hearing Loss want to find out from people who are Deaf or have hearing loss across Scotland about their experiences when attending appointments at their local hospitals, health centres and GPs during the last 12 months.They are asking people to take part in a short survey which can be found at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/accesstohealthscotland. If you would like to take part in this consultation and would like to discuss this with someone in person, please contact Julie Ringsell on 01382 201073 or 07391 401696.

Access to Health Services in Scotland – Action on Hearing Loss

We are keen to ensure that we represent your viewpoints accurately, so if you would like to ‘Have Your Say’ but don’t wish to attend one of the meeting dates below, we can arrange another way to gather your views over the telephone or in another way that suits you. Remember, we can arrange travel too if you need it, to attend a meeting.

If you need to book a place on any of the following sessions, please contact Nicola, Older Peoples Services Development Officer on 01382 305745 or by email on nicolamitchell@dva.scot

The Scottish Government are currently consulting on proposals to tackle and diminish fuel poverty in Scotland.

They are seeking our views on an approach that brings together actions from across government, and across society, to create a comprehensive strategy to deliver reductions in fuel poverty. The consultation also seeks views on how progress should be monitored and how our aim to tackle fuel poverty effectively is translated into an appropriate statutory framework. The Fuel Poverty Strategy will feed into the development of a new Warm Homes Bill which we plan to introduce in 2018.

The closing date on this consultation is 1st February 2018. The full consultation can be found at https://consult.gov.scot/better-homes-division/fuel-poverty/. If you would like a hard copy of the consultation, please get in touch.

We will also be meeting to discuss and respond to this consultation on Wednesday 17th January, 10-12pm should you wish to have your views heard.

Please do let us know if you intend to attend.

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Dundee City Council are currently holding their Rent Consultation on the Rent Increase for next year. Consultation yellow cards can be picked up from various locations across the city, for example in housing offices, libraries, sheltered lounges, community centres and in DVA.

Please make sure that you do take the time to respond as the options are 3%, 3.25% and 3.5%. If you want further information, please contact Dundee City Council on 01382 434000 and you will be transferred to Housing.

Please note the closing date of 31st December. The cards can be returned to the locations where you picked them up and posted in the feedback postboxes. You can also reply online at www.dundeecity.gov.uk/rentconsultation

Dundee City Council Rent Consultation

Fuel Poverty Strategy Consultation

Due to the huge success of people attending the previous Introduction to Dementia Training sessions, we have agreed with Age Scotland to run some more in the New Year.Dates are yet to be confirmed, but if you would like to attend a session, please get in touch with Nicola and we will add you to the list.

Money Matters Information SessionsWe are running free Money Matters information sessions for older people on the following dates in DVA.

Thursday 11th January 10.30am to 2pm Planning for and Managing Financial Changes & Care Costs and Funding

Friday 12th January 10.30am to 2pm Power of Attorney & Benefits Entitlement

These sessions will be repeated on:

Thursday 25th January 10.30am to 2pm Care Costs and Funding & Power of Attorney

Tuesday 30th January 10.30am to 2pm Benefits Entitlement & Planning for and Managing Financial Changes

Lunch will be provided. Please note that spaces are limited so will need to be booked in advance.

Introduction to Dementia Training

Dates

Age Scotland has received funding to deliver Warm and Well sessions to member groups in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow until March 2019.

There are three problems that can lead to people struggling with their fuel bills: high tariffs, inefficient homes and low incomes. The Warm and Well sessions will be able to help shine some light on these issues and help you make sense of it all. These sessions will cover topics such as:

Energy Efficiency tips – There are lots of little changes we can make to save money on our fuel bills.

Smart Meters – What are they and how do they work? These will be installed in every home by 2020 and can be great for helping to reduce your fuel bills. We will debunk some myths about and find out what the benefits are.

How to find the best energy tariff – There are more energy suppliers on the market than ever so it’s important to know what to look for, and who to speak to, when getting the best deal. You can save upwards of £200 a year and we’ll help you find out how.

The Warm Home Discount – If you are eligible for this it could be £140 off of your electricity bill during the winter months. We’ll help to find out if you or anyone you know may be eligible for it and how it’s claimed.

What you’re entitled to – We’ve all had cold calls from someone offering us a deal too good to be true. We’ll have a look into what we are actually entitled to and who we can chat to for advice.

The Warm and Well roadshows will take place in DVA on Thursday 1st February at 10am and Wednesday 7th March at 2pm. Places are limited, so will need to be booked in advance.

Warm and Well Roadshows

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Loneliness is a problem all year round but nearly 65,000 older people in Scotland say they feel lonelier at Christmas and around 40,000 of them are likely to spend Christmas Day alone.

Cold weather in winter months can prevent some older people from getting out to socialise and the emphasis society places on spending time with family and friends at this time of year can intensify the feeling of having no one.

We believe no one should have no one, not at Christmas, not ever. In 2018, the Scottish Government will establish a ground breaking National Strategy on Loneliness. This Christmas, Age Scotland are asking you to write to your MSPs to ask them to think of the thousands of older people in Scotland who will be lonely over the festive season and ask them to work with us in the New Year to make it a successful one for challenging loneliness and isolation in Scotland.

If you would like your details added to the campaign contact Nicola on 01382 305745 or by email on nicolamitchell@dva.scot. With your help we can work to make sure that everyone has the contact and the support that they need. Let’s take a stand to #EndLoneliness now.

No one should have no one Christmas Campaign

Contact UsYou can contact us at:• DundeeCANForum@dva.scot• http://dundeecanforum.org.uk• via Nicola Mitchell, Older Peoples Services Development Officer on 01382 305745 at

Dundee Voluntary Action, Number Ten, 10 Constitution Road, Dundee, DD1 1LL

Please note we will be closed from Friday 20th December, reopening on Wednesday 3rd January 2018.

Merry ChristmasWe would like to take this opportunity to thank all our members for your continued support and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year

Celebrate Age Network Committee

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Festive Opening Times Food Train

Food Train will be operating a reduced grocery delivery service over the festive period. Deliveries will be made on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th December and again on Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th January. Normal service will resume week commencing 8th January 2018. 01382 810944 Dundee Community Transport

The Dundee Community Cars Service will be closed from Friday 22nd December reopening on Wednesday 3rd January. Contact 01382 305721 for further information. Age Concern Five Ways Centre

We will be closed on 25th and 26th December 2017 and on 1st and 2nd January 2018. The centre will be reopen to clients on 27th, 28th and 29th December 2017 and then again on 3rd, 4th and 5th January 2018 – with opening times being 10am to 3pm. Bowl n Roll

Bowl n Roll’s last lunch before Christmas will be held on 14th December, but they will be back on Thursday 4th January 12 – 1.30pm in Menzieshill Community Centre. £1 donation.

Members SectionPOSITIVE AGEINGLife is unpredictable,It changes with the seasons,Even your coldest winter,Happens for the best of reasons,

And though it feels eternal,Like all you’ll ever do is freeze,I promise spring is coming,And with it, brand new leaves.

Life is Unpredictable, Erin Hansen as selected by Nicola

WELLBEING• Eating Healthy and staying hydrated

• Moving more in the best way for you e.g. walking is one of the

best ways to feel good and combat depression especially in

nature

• Stay connected to friends, family and social groups that make

you feel positive

• Learn something new, take up a hobby as this keeps the brain

alive

• Sleep well as sleep deprivation can lead to heart disease,high

blood pressure, obesity and diabetes

• Eliminate As much stress as you can.....e.g. don’t sweat the small

stuff

• Practice forgiveness.....this helps benefit us......resentment

releases toxins into our body that causes harm.

We must also forgive ourselves as much as others.

• Practice Acts of Kindness no matter how small ......this has many

benefits to the heart and makes us feel good.

We must also be kind to ourselves as much as to others.

• Volunteer.....this is an opportunity to use your talents and skills in

different areas, meet new people and do new things and to make

a difference.

This also helps to boost your immune system.

• Living with gratitude everyday ... it is the panacea for insatiable

yearnings and life’s ills.

Submitted by Helen