Teignbridge Matters: Life after 60

Read Anne Marie’s views in her weekly column; an advertisement sponsored by Conservative supporters.

Life after 60

A few weeks ago I wrote about the difficulties our young people face. At the other end of the age spectrum there are a totally different set of problems. Old age can be a time of great joy – the arrival of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, retirement and having the time to relax after a lifetime of work. But with that come new challenges.

Many live busy lives well into their seventies and beyond. Employers like B&Q recognise the important skills a lot of older workers have and go out of their way to recruit more of them. This is an attitude we need to see more of. A new career at 60 should be a real option for those that want it.

A healthy mind and body

A healthy mind is as important as a healthy body. Institutions like the University of the Third Age, enable over 200,000 over-60s to learn new skills. Locally there is plenty on offer – drop in coffee mornings, lunches at the Courtenay Centre in Newton Abbot, Bingo with the Teignmouth Community Association, the coach trips organised by Kingscare in Kingsteignton –and much more.

The challenge comes however as we become less mobile and our health begins to deteriorate. Representing Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton and surrounding villages on the Senior Council for Devon, I am all too aware of the issues facing the elderly. Key concerns people raise with us relate to money worries, transport and health and social care.

Money worries

Many struggle to get by on a basic state pension. High levels of council tax take a considerable chunk out of the average pensioner’s income. I am often asked for help by older people who just don’t know what they are entitled to. One lady I spoke to recently didn’t realise that her income levels meant her council tax could be written off. Better advice, a simpler system and a bigger pension must be the starting point for a better quality of life in old age.

Getting about

Independent living is what most people want as they grow older. But that can be hard as the body refuses to keep up! Ring and ride and Shopmobility are just two good examples of help at hand and the Access Group do a great job lobbying for infrastructure changes to help the less able get about town– but in the rural parts of Teignbridge getting about can be a real challenge. A trip to the shops and back in the nearest town can take the whole day.

Health and Social Care

Mental health is one of the biggest issues affecting the elderly. With people living longer, many more are suffering from illnesses that lead to dementia. In England, sufferers are only eligible for basic social care because it is not recognised as an illness. The budget for this therefore comes from local authorities and not the NHS. People whose dementia has not got any worse can sometimes see their care levels downgraded. Dementia is gradual and can never be stabilised and the criteria used in reassessments should reflect that.

Some 45,000 people are forced to sell their homes or raid their life savings every year to pay for care. A two-year stay in a residential home averages out at around £52,000. This could be avoided by setting up an insurance scheme where everyone pays £8,000 on retirement or at 65 which will guarantee them social care provision should they need it in later life. Somehow we have to get dignity back into old age.

Next Time…… Making Democracy a Reality

Getting in touch

Please do feel free to get in touch at annemarie@annemariemorris.co.uk or 01626 368277. You can text me on 07712 004733 and follow what I am doing on my website: www.annemariemorris.co.uk and my blog www.annemarienewtonabbot.blogspot.com. I would love to meet you at our next event– see www.newtonabbotconservatives.org.uk