Guidance

January: Later life newsletter 74

Updated 13 May 2016

1. New Year, new you, new career

Read the Minister for Pensions’ latest blog.

2. Centre for Ageing Better

The Centre for Ageing Better revealed the findings of the Centre’s landmark study ‘Later Life in 2015’, produced in collaboration with Ipsos MORI, and in which the Centre announced details of their initial priority areas of focus.

3. Help for Carers

Carers UK have launched a range of new resources to help carers get the information they need.

4. State Pension Online

State Pension Online (SPOL) allows people approaching State Pension age to claim their State Pension online. All UK residents can claim their pension online, it only takes 20 minutes and is available 24/7. It’s a secure and easy to use service with online help provided along the way. Find out more at: www.gov.uk/claim-state-pension-online

5. Online Today – helping people with sensory loss to get online

RNIB are helping people with sensory loss gain and develop skills that allow them to use technology with confidence.

6. What is known about the financial abuse of older people

This is summarised in an Evidence Review published by Age UK.

7. Key Pension Changes in 2016 – a quick round-up

On 6 April 2016 the new State Pension comes into effect for anyone reaching State Pension age on or after this date. As a result:

• the additional State Pension will end, and so will Contracting-Out
• the Savings Credit in Pension Credit will end for those reaching State Pension age from then on
• assessed Income Periods in Pension Credit will end

8. Leading models of dementia care highlighted to inspire

Three leading models of how to care for people with dementia are being flagged up to the NHS in a bid to improve patient services by sharing learning. Patient benefits include:

• 100% appointment attendance rates
• minimal delays
• reduced A&E care
• less use of mental health services
• reduction of fear and stigma

Read more about improving patient services.

9. A new scheme helps elderly and vulnerable adults battle dementia by learning foreign languages

Research has indicated that speaking several languages can delay the onset of dementia, as well as other forms of brain ageing and mental illness.

Lingo Flamingo provides tailored lesson plans and interactive workshops to improve memory.

10. Authentic Storyteller

Authentic Storyteller is a space for sharing your personal stories about the process of ageing. Share your personal journey in short story form.

11. ProFouND Stay Strong Stay Steady Campaign – EU Flash Mob

On International Older Person’s Day the Prevention of Falls Network for Dissemination (ProFouND) consortium, with members throughout Europe delivered flash mobs and/or took part in strength and balance exercise classes to raise awareness of falls prevention.

The Stay Strong Stay Steady Campaign involved over 500 older and younger people from across 9 EU countries. Watch the EU Flash Mob montage.

12. Singing in choirs and helping children read helps maintain older people’s mental wellbeing

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has published recommendations on supporting older people’s mental wellbeing and independence.

These include such things as:

• singing groups, in particular, those involving a professionally led community choir
• arts and crafts
• other creative activities

13. Transferring from hospital to home – new guideline launched by NICE

The new guideline launched by NICE focuses on what should happen in hospital, from admission onwards and throughout someone’s stay, so that their discharge isn’t rushed or unplanned.

14. Subscribe to the Later life newsletter

The Later life newsletter reaches over 100,000 individuals and organisations.

To subscribe, or provide contributions to future Later life newsletters contact: Simon.Wilkinson1@dwp.gsi.gov.uk