Care & Repair Edinburgh, part of the Age Scotland family, is launching a home assessment service to help older people and those living with disabilities live as safely and comfortably as possible in their own homes.
The new service includes a free room-by-room home assessment by the charity’s Independent Living Adviser (above), who will create a report of recommendations for improvements in safety, accessibility and comfort.
Typical recommendations may include replacing faulty electrical items, fixing door thresholds, removing frayed rugs or other trip hazards, draught-proofing wooden windows and doors, and improving accessibility through the installation of handrails, ramps and key safes.
Following the home assessment, a full report will be available to allow clients to review any recommendations and discuss with family members. Care & Repair Edinburgh may also be able to carry out some of the work client wishes to progress, either free of charge where eligible or at a subsidised rate for larger repairs and installations.
Allison Strachan, Head of Care & Repair Edinburgh, said: “Although lockdown measures are easing gradually, people are still spending large amounts of time at home and therefore it is very important that the home environment is as safe, comfortable and accessible as possible.
“This new service will allow older people and those living with disabilities in Edinburgh to continue to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as they want and are able.
“Arranging a free home assessment can offer much-needed peace of mind and we would encourage eligible Edinburgh residents to get in touch to find out how Care & Repair Edinburgh can assist them.”
https://twitter.com/i/status/1402620469476528133
The free home assessment service has been researched in collaboration with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and is possible thanks to generous funding from Bank of Scotland Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and Greenshoots Fund.
Bookings will be taken from Monday 14 June onwards, with the first appointments for home assessments available from Monday 19th July.
To arrange your free assessment, please contact Care & Repair Edinburgh on 0131 3371111 or visit www.crew.scot for more information.
Older people’s care charity delivering fun and free online community sessions
LifeCare Edinburgh is inviting local people to sign up to take part in its varied calendar of virtual community events.
Funded in partnership with Inverleith Neighbourhood Network, Foundation Scotland and The TOR Foundation locals can take part for free. Events include history talks, quizzes, conversation groups discussing current affairs and special events such as the recent private virtual visit to Edinburgh Zoo.
The renowned local charity offers registered care, outreach activities and help at home services for older people living across the North of the city.
Established in 1941, the organisation supports over 800 elderly clients a year including those suffering with dementia, mobility issues, those experiencing isolation and loneliness, food poverty, mental health problems and support for carers.
The charity usually delivers its calendar of community events in-person at the LifeCare Centre on Cheyne Street, however organisers set up the sessions through Zoom in response to the pandemic.
LifeCare understands that some people need a little encouragement and support to get started using Zoom. Organisers therefore offer free, safely delivered one-to-one support for individuals to get started with the IT platform ensuring they have the skills and confidence to use technology to be part of their community.
Aleks Pacula, LifeCare’s Community Engagement Facilitator said“We’re thrilled that we’ve been able to continue our successful calendar of events across the last year – we have more people signed up than ever before.
“Shifting the delivery from in-person to Zoom had a few challenges at first but everyone is very much enjoying it now and it’s allowing more people to take part. We all look forward to the sessions – it gives us a chance to catch up with each other safely, see a friendly face, have some fun together and learn new things about where we live.
“We’ve received a lot of feedback telling us that the talks bring back fond memories and give people the opportunity to share life-experiences with others. Our free tutorials helping people to use Zoom for the first time have been very popular.
“I know our regulars found the help really useful at the start and they are unstoppable now! We regularly update our calendar of events online so visit the LifeCare website to find out more and get involved.”
The charity has already announced a few highlights to look forward to across the summer.
In addition to their usual weekly schedule of events they will be hosting “Lothian castles on film” by Anne Daly on Tuesday 29th June at 3pm, “The visit of George IV to Scotland in 1822” by Eric Melvin on Tuesday 27th July at 3pm and “Greek inscriptions in Edinburgh” by Ian McHaffie on Tuesday 24th August at 3pm.
Gavin Barrie, Chair of Inverleith Neighbourhood Network said “We are extremely pleased to hear about the success of LifeCare’s Community Engagement Project.
“The important project reaches out to some who may be suffering isolation in our community. The programme demonstrates all that is good when various arms of our community pull together to assist those in need of support. We were delighted to help LifeCare achieve its aims of engaging with local members of our community.”
Beverley Francis, Chair of LifeCare said “A huge thanks to our generous funders for enabling LifeCare to continue to deliver and grow our important calendar of community engagement activities.
“These events deliver huge benefits to those in our communities in normal times, but they are even more important through the current time. Activities are designed to keep people connected, give something to look forward to and to provide something stimulating for health and wellbeing needs. We are encouraging anyone that is interested to get in touch to find out more.”
LifeCare Edinburgh is a registered charity and relies on the support of its funders. Key relationships include Barclays, The TOR Foundation, Foundation Scotland, Tesco Bank and all the many local people who take part in community fundraising events.
It’s something many of us have noticed over the past year. We’ve been getting our shopping delivered, the weekly Keep Fit class is on hold, and phone calls have replaced a cuppa with friends.
We’ve had to postpone regular activities, whether that’s a game of bowls or playing with grandchildren. And while many have tried to keep up that daily walk, the Covid-19 pandemic has kept others confined to home.
“Stay at home” has been the safest advice – with many older people either shielding or significantly cutting down their social interactions.
But now that the vaccine rollout is well underway and restrictions are starting to lift, what impact has this had on our longer-term health?
Age Scotland’s new research confirms the impact that lockdown has had on our daily life – almost two thirds of over-50s say they have been less active over the past year.
Around half are worried that spending so much time at home has led to a loss of strength and mobility.
This had led to concerns that the restrictions could have a serious impact on our health over the next few years. Tens of thousands of older people could be experiencing “deconditioning” – declining physical fitness caused by lack of activity and spending long periods of time sitting.
This can lead to a loss of muscle strength, balance, flexibility and overall mobility, which can leave people more vulnerable to falls and likely to require social care support in the years to come.
It can even lead to health problems resulting in higher mortality from cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.
One way to combat this is through an innovative app called LifeCurve, developed by researchers at Strathclyde University, It’s based on research that found that we lose the ability to do things in a particular order as we age.
Early on the curve, we might be able to go for a brisk walk, while as we get older we might start to struggle with housework, bathing or cutting toenails.
The good news is this is not set in stone at a particular age. We can improve our position on the LifeCurve by staying physically active and keeping up with regular daily tasks. This can slow the ageing process and help us to live a healthy, independent life for longer.
We can all try to build more physical activity into our lives, whatever our fitness and ability level. Age Scotland has developed its Around the House in 80 Days series of videos to help people of all ages stay fit safely at home.
For many people, the issue is a lack of confidence after around 15 months at home. It’s often tempting to offer to help an older relative or neighbour by doing the shopping or cooking a meal. But it might be more helpful to encourage them to do more independently.
Perhaps you could offer to walk with someone to the shops or try a gentle exercise class (in person or online) together?
Many Age Scotland groups, such as Men’s Sheds and walking clubs, are now re-opening safely, giving further opportunities for physical and social activity.
It might start with a small step, but it could go a long way to ensuring a healthier later life.
Capital Theatres, Scotland’s largest theatre charity, in association with the Traverse, Scotland’s new writing theatre, present a new audio project aimed at people living with dementia, their loved ones and carers: When The Sun Meets The Sky.
Leaders in arts and dementia engagement, Capital Theatres presents the audio play in lieu of the annual Care Settings Theatre Tour which was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following the success of Sundown Stories, the audio play is developed in very close collaboration with Creative Contributors – people with lived experience of dementia.
The audio play will be available on Capital Theatres’ YouTube channel and the Traverse 3 website from Tuesday, 4 May. Transcriptions and closed captions will be available online, with DVDs, CDs and large print versions available for those without Internet access.
To enhance the experience of the audio play, 70 sensory resource boxes will be produced as well as guides to make-your-own at home.
If they are interested in the audio play and accompanying sensory resource boxes, care homes, families and friends of people living with dementia are encouraged to get in touch by emailing dawn.irvine@capitaltheatres.com.
An online public event on 6 May will give audiences an exclusive behind-the-scenes access to When The Sun Meets The Sky creation process.
Capital Theatres is very pleased to announce its new project developed in partnership with Traverse Theatre which is aimed at people with a lived experience of dementia and older people experiencing isolation and sensory deprivation.
Delivered to care homes in and around Edinburgh as well as to individuals who are living in the community, the audio play was devised in lieu of the annual Capital Theatres’s Care Settings Theatre Tour which had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and it also follows on the success of Sundown Stories, a series of short, calming stories written by and for people living with dementia.
Set in iconic Edinburgh locations – from summertime in the Meadows after the war, to a Beatles gig in the ABC on Lothian Road, Christmastime on the Mound in the 80s and ending up in the Port O’Leith after the turn of the millennium, When The Sun Meets The Sky tracks Maggie through the decades as she discovers herself, her city and tries to get to the bottom of a mystery that’s eluded her since childhood.
From the Traverse Theatre, Jack Nurse, Artist in Residence (Creative Development) and Robbie Gordon, Creative Development Producer, led the creative aspect of developing the play, working very closely with Creative Contributors – people living with dementia, their family and friends, carers and ex-carers.
Dawn Irvine, Learning and Participation Co-ordinator (Dementia Friendly Projects) said: “Undoubtedly, the global pandemic has put an unimaginable strain on care homes and those living with dementia, their families, carers and friends.
“Due to the lockdown restrictions, we weren’t able to deliver our usual creative engagement programme so decided to produce something that can be enjoyed remotely and included craft activities and sensory resources to be enjoyed by residents and staff.
“We are very pleased to now be able to share the audio play with public: a quality, creative experience that is shaped by and for people living with dementia. We hope that through this project they will feel encouraged to share their own personal stories and ultimately, feel more empowered and connected to those around them which is more important now than ever before.”
Linda Crooks, Traverse Theatre Executive Producer said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Capital Theatres on this project that speaks powerfully to our commitment of finding creative and meaningful ways for our artists to engage with our audiences and our city with work that seeks to bring communities together during these isolating times.
“COVID-19 has had an undeniable impact on those living with dementia, their carers, family and friends. Created for and with people living with dementia in Edinburgh, we hope that When The Sun Meets The Sky will offer listeners those much needed moments of connection, while also sharing a beautiful story that’s very much rooted in our city.”
Kathryn Bailey Activities Coordinator at the Elms Nursing Home said: “The residents at the Elms have benefitted from the thoughtful collection of dementia-friendly activities produced by Dawn Irvine and the team at Capital Theatres.
“Covid restrictions presented challenges which they overcame with creative alternatives including audio-visual Tea Parties, Sundowning Stories and, most recently, a radio play.
“Residents have positively benefited from all activities and were delighted to be included by the writers of the radio play’s research and to proof-read the drafts of the play as they developed.
“These activities have prompted meaningful conversations, reminiscence and joy in the moment. One of our residents, Joyce Miller, inspired the development of climbing lamp post idea and has worked on a sketch of the scene by adding colour and pattern in a pointillism style.”
Capital Theatres has over 5 years of experience in working creatively with persons living with dementia, the creation of dementia friendly performances as well as trained staff who are knowledgeable about dementia inclusive practice and dementia enablement.
Traverse Theatre is Scotland’s leading new writing theatre and expert in theatre production – recently also in audio play and podcast production.
During the Research & Development phase of the project, Capital Theatres’ team carried out extensive consultations with care homes staff, people living with dementia and their loved ones with whom they have developed a relationship over the years through various projects. The feedback was extremely positive.
Interviewees were very keen on increasing the level of creative engagement in their everyday life – something that has substantially diminished over the past 12 months due to the lockdown restrictions.
They were highly supportive of a radio play as an opportunity for people to engage in either large or small groups or individually as well as support those with visual impairments to enjoy creative work not reliant on sight.
They also appreciated that radio play could be enjoyed with minimal need for care staff intervention and is a resource that can be used over and again.
The episodes of the audio play can be enjoyed individually or as part of a larger, connected story. Delivered in a relaxed, conversational manner with no loud noises or loud music, the audio play focuses on real stories and narration that is easy to follow, without hindrance of sub plots or many characters.
The audio play will be available to experience for free on the Capital Theatres’ YouTube channel and Traverse Theatre website from Tuesday, 4 May. In order to make it as accessible as possible, Capital Theatres’ team has produced a transcribed version, a large print version and will provide CDs and DVDs to those without Internet access.
The audio play will be distributed among Edinburgh and Lothians care homes and people living with dementia in their own homes. Capital Theatres and Traverse Theatre would like to encourage those who are interested in experiencing the project to get in touch by emailing dawn.irvine@capitaltheatres.com.
To further enhance the experience, Capital Theatres has produced a number of sensory packs which will be distributed to care homes and individuals alongside the play.
These packs will include items relating to the stories that can be touched or smelled like a small bottle containing an essence of a smell of freshly cut grass. The packs will also provide a list of conversation starters to encourage listeners to delve deeper into the themes explored in the play and share their own experiences. The team has also produced an easy guide to making your own sensory pack at home.
The cast of When the Sun Meets the Sky includes popular stage and tv actor Irene Allan, known for her roles in Taggart and Doctors – Maureen Beattie, Mason Clarke-Whale, a second year BA Acting student at RCS, River City and Taggart-regular Tam Dean Burn, playwright and actor Robbie Gordon, actor, musician and singer Rebekah Lumsden and Rehanna Macdonald, known for her work with Richard Burton Company and Stellar Quines, among others.
A free, digital, public event taking place on Thursday (6 May) will give those interested in learning more about the process of creating When The Sun Meets The Sky an exclusive access to the behind-the-scenes.
Featuring Dawn Irvine, Dementia Friendly Co-ordinator at Capital Theatres, from the Traverse Theatre, Robbie Gordon, Creative Development Producer and Artist in Residence, Jack Nurse as well as Ian Laurence, one of the Creative Contributors, this special digital event will be hosted on Capital Theatres’ website.
LifeCare Edinburgh has appointed Beverley Francis as its new chair and welcomes four new trustees to the board as the organisation celebrates its 80th year.
The renowned local charity offers registered care, outreach activities and help at home services for older people living across the North of the city. Established in 1941, the organisation supports over 800 elderly clients a year including those suffering with dementia, mobility issues, those experiencing isolation and loneliness, food poverty, mental health problems and support for carers.
Beverley Francis has been involved the charity since 2018 and was appointed vice-chair a year ago. Elaine Aitken will take up the position as vice-chair having been with the charity since 2017.
She brings extensive public and third sector experience to the role. Bringing 16 years in key positions within Scottish Government, including in welfare reform and most recently in health improvement, Francis also has her own consultancy supporting the third sector.
She is currently in the role as Interim Director for ProjectScotland where she has supported the merger with Volunteering Matters and has previously supported mental health charities AdvoCard and Partners in Advocacy.
Ms Francis takes over as chair from Jock Miller who held the position for six years. Miller will remain on the board as a trustee.
A further four trustees have joined the board. Susan Mallinder, Christopher Paton, Jane Hogg and Momin Rasheed all joined the charity at the start of the year. The new trustees all bring varying backgrounds, experience and skills which will help to shape and drive the organisation’s continued success.
BeverleyFrancis said: “On behalf of everyone on the board, past and present, we would like to sincerely thank Jock for his leadership, dedication and sheer hard-work over the past 10 years.
“Through his direction we have successfully and quickly navigated the multiple challenges of COVID-19 and continued to provide essential care to over 500 older people through the crisis who simply could not survive without it.
“I feel absolutely honoured to take up the role of chair at such a vitally important time for us all.
“Older people have been disproportionately affected by this life-shattering crisis. We do not yet know the real impact this past year will have had on the people we care for within our communities. So, we need to be ready to adapt, redesign and deliver the bespoke care they will need in a compassionate and caring way. We need to make sure our older people can safely and confidently re-enter our communities, and they will need our support to do so.
“As LifeCare enters its 80th year as a charity, we are all thrilled to welcome four new trustees to the board who are all eager to get involved. I am excited to work more closely with the senior management team, alongside our new chief executive Damian McGowan. Once we are able, I very much look forward to getting out into the community to safely meet with the people we support, our hardworking staff and all of our dedicated volunteers.”
LifeCare Edinburgh is a registered charity and relies on the support of its funders. Key relationships include Barclays, The TOR Foundation, Foundation Scotland, Tesco Bank and all the many local people who take part in community fundraising events.
Scotland’s vaccination programme has now delivered second doses of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to more than half of care home residents.
In total, 17,258 care home residents (58% of residents in older adult care homes and 54% of residents in all care homes) have received the second dose which offers longer lasting protection.
Supplies of vaccines were specifically deployed in order that second doses could be delivered on time to these cohorts, who are among those at greatest risk from coronavirus (COVID-19).
For the population as a whole 1,743,869 have received their first dose, and 114,081 have been given their second dose. Invitations are now being issued to all groups in phase one of the roll-out and subject to supply, the programme remains on track to offer first doses to all over 50 year olds, unpaid carers and those with particular underlying health conditions by the middle of April.
Heath Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “I am pleased to see that more than half of care home residents have received their second doses, giving them longer lasting protection.
“I want to thank all those who have taken up their offer of a vaccination – the high take up in these settings has contributed to a reduction in outbreaks of the virus in care homes.
“Alongside other protections in place, vaccination has also helped to enable the resumption of indoor visiting, reuniting families with their loved ones.
“Scotland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme continues to deliver at pace, which is down to the enormous efforts of our vaccination teams and I want to thank everyone who is working tirelessly to make this a success.
“The vaccination programme is one of three key ways we are working to beat this virus, along with our expanded testing programme to identify cases and break chains of transmission and the important lockdown restrictions everyone in Scotland must follow. All these measures work to greatest effect when they work together.”
A key-worker project based at Ocean Terminal has been working hard to keep older people connected during lockdown.
The Wee Museum of Memory (based on the second floor of the waterfront centre in Leith) is run by The Living Memory Association and prior to lockdown welcomed around 150 visitors per day. Now, they’ve had to take the project online to help keep people connected while restrictions are still in place.
The museum is home to over 10,000 objects from 1930s school desks and 1970s record players to Leith/Edinburgh boundary plaque and a 6ft model of a Granton trawler.
The pieces in the museum help stimulate memories and get people talking to each other. With the physical location closed, the project co-ordinator Miles Tubb and his volunteers wanted to make sure there were still opportunities for people to connect through sharing stories and life experiences.
Working closely with the team at Ocean Terminal they have been able to continue to bring people together albeit virtually through a series of podcasts and videos recorded at the museum’s studio at the centre.
These weekly podcasts feature some of Edinburgh’s most loved residents including 76-year-old Evelyn Whitfield (above), one of the team’s longstanding volunteers. Evelyn has volunteered at the museum for 15 years.
During lockdown, whilst caring for her husband, Evelyn has been working alongside Miles to manage the project’s social media channels and compile their newsletters. In the latest episode of the podcast Evelyn joins Miles to reminisce about her memories of Leith.
Another guest on the series is 75-year-old Edinburgh musician, John Robertson. John has been involved with the Edinburgh music scene for over 40 years and even played in a support band for The Who.
Michelle MacLeod, Centre Manager at Ocean Terminal, said: “The Wee Museum of Memory at Ocean Terminal is hugely popular, attracting people of all ages and from all over the world.
“A lot of the museum’s older visitors and volunteers are among those more likely to feel cut off and isolated during these times so we have been only too happy to find a way to help.
“By making it possible for them to access the museum’s facilities at the centre, I’m delighted that Miles and his amazing volunteers can continue to reach out to people via their podcasts.”
Miles Tubb, Project Co-Ordinator, The Wee Museum of Memory (above) added: “As a key worker project, we’re immensely grateful to be able to access our resources within Ocean Terminal during lockdown.
“It allows us to keep sharing memories and to do our best to keep people connected and lessen isolation during lockdown. We don’t want to let lockdown stop our visitors being able to reminisce about the good times and our weekly podcasts and YoutTube videos have been a great way to keep connected and let our visitors know that we’re still here.”
Tune into the podcast series here. New episodes are live every Tuesday.
You can view The Wee Memory Museum’s YouTube channel here.
Age Scotland is seeking the views of older people in the first comprehensive survey of what it is like to grow older in Scotland.
The Big Survey explores all areas of life for older people including health and wellbeing, housing, media representation and the impact of Covid-19.
The national charity hopes to gain a better insight into what older people think, experience and care about. Survey responses will help prioritise its future campaigns and shape policy.
The Big Survey launches after an exceptionally challenging year for older people. This was the age group most severely affected by Covid. Older people were asked to shield, the overwhelming majority of deaths took place among the over 75s and care home residents faced months of separation from family and friends.
Lockdown has contributed to soaring levels of loneliness and the absence of regular exercise activities and sports has had an impact on physical fitness.
Age Scotland wants to hear from as many older people across Scotland as possible to find out what their lives are like now, what issues are important to them and their expectations of later life.
Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “We are pleased to be launching The Big Survey at such an opportune time. This has been a tumultuous time for older people and undoubtedly the past 12 months have had a profound impact across society.
“We want to hear how older people’s lives have been affected by Covid, what their expectations are now, how they want to live and what their requirements are for enjoying a fulfilling and happy later life.
“I would urge as many older people as possible to take part. Each and every response will be considered and they will help shape our policies and our work in the coming years.
“So please take the time to share your views and help us be there to support older people throughout Scotland in ways that make a real difference. We look forward to hearing from you.”
LifeCare Edinburgh, the older people’s support charity, is today announcing it is extending its ‘meals on wheels’ service launched last year as increased support for the elderly through the crisis.
The charity set up the new service in September thanks to securing significant funding from Barclays 100×100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Fund.
The hot food delivery programme has rapidly become an integral part of the charity’s service plan supporting those most in need through the pandemic. In just over three months, LifeCare has provided over 2,000 fresh and nutritious two-course meals delivered safely, hot and ready to eat.
Meals are prepared in the charity’s community café on Cheyne Street in Stockbridge and delivered by their Help at Home service.
Meal deliveries have been hailed as ‘lifesaving’ by those accessing the service. In particular, the programme is proving to be a huge help for those struggling with mobility issues which may be worsening through the crisis as people remain in the home.
Others lack the energy to cater for themselves, for those who live alone it is something to look forward to, and it provides comfort and assurance for friends and family members who live elsewhere and are unable to visit to care for their loved ones.
An additional benefit is that delivering the meals to those most vulnerable acts as an important regular ‘check-in’ service where the trained team can safely make sure that the individual is coping OK and assess/refer any new needs.
Damian McGown CEO of LifeCare, (above) said: “We are hugely proud of our vital new meals on wheels service which has already provided positive, practical support to over 100 local older people who are truly suffering through this difficult time.
“The colder, darker months have always been a challenge for older people, but this is a winter like no other. The elderly have been disproportionately affected by the virus and as restrictions increase once again those in our communities remain very worried, fearful, often lonely and chronically isolated. Family and friends can no longer visit, activities are cancelled, and day services closed. The most vulnerable are shielding once again.
“We are therefore announcing that, thanks to the support from Barclays, LifeCare will be extending our meals on wheels service to offer double the existing support – we are now able to reach 200 local older people most in need.
“Those eligible will receive a fresh, nutritious two-course meal delivered hot and ready to eat. Please contact us if you or someone you know could benefit from LifeCare’s free meals on wheels service.”
Scott Stewart, Head of Barclays Scotland, said: “LifeCare is playing a vital role in this crisis. The charity has amplified its offering to elderly people with the donation provided by Barclays and we are delighted to support their work.”
Meals are delivered at lunchtime and there is a choice of two main courses each day with one choice always being vegetarian. All special dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for.
If you, or someone you know, would like to benefit from the meals on wheels service please call 0131 343 0940 to discuss.
I learned this morning of the deaths of two local people who were discovered at home by their neighbours last week. Both were older, and both lived alone.
Voluntary organisations have been doing a sterling job during the pandemic, maintaining contact with some of the most vulnerable members of the community and making sure they have food and other essentials and are able to stay warm.
Community organisations can only reach out to those people they know about, however; their members or client group. There may be many more vulnerable people out there who are not active in local groups, some of whom have no family support. Suffering quietly. Alone.
What can we do to help?
AGE CONCERN offers the following advice:
Saying hello seems like such a small thing. But 1.9 million older people often feel ignored or invisible. A smile and a wave could make a huge difference to those people.
We all feel awkward sometimes, so it’s totally understandable that you might not want to stop and have a conversation. Never underestimate the power of a quick ‘good morning’ though.
How else can I support an older neighbour?
It’s easy to forget that older people sometimes just want someone to pass the time of day with.
Even a small act can make a big difference. Knock on your neighbour’s door and ask them if they need anything. You could:
invite them round for a cup of tea and a slice of cake
drive them to a medical appointment
pick up some shopping for them
ask if they have anything that needs taking to the tip
offer to sweep up leaves or salt an icy front step
offer a mince pie and mulled wine at Christmas.
A word of caution
Do make sure you’ve introduced yourself properly first, telling them who you are and where you live.
Not everyone wants to be friendly with their neighbours, so try to judge the mood when you first approach them.
Once you’ve got that good rapport with your neighbour, it’ll be much easier to do something nice for them.
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT HELPLINE
The Scottish Government has set up a helpline for vulnerable or isolated people who do not have family or community support but need assistance.
If you, or someone you know, needs help call the Scottish Government helpline on 0800 111 4000. The helpline is open from 9am-5pm.
LOCAL COMMUNITY HELPLINE
A coalition of North Edinburgh voluntary sector organisations has set up a community helpline for local people.
Advice and support is available on 0131 356 0220 from 9 – 4pm Monday – Thursday and from 9 – 3pm on Fridays.
