Author Archives: Maureen
Joan Bakewell tackles taboo of aged addiction
Joan Bakewell, the Labour peer, is making a documentary for Panorama about a hidden alcohol problem among senior citizens.
Tim Walker. Edited by Richard Eden
7:30AM BST 21 Jul 2012
Teenagers are often chastised for “binge drinking”, but it is pensioners that we should worry about, according to Joan Bakewell.
The broadcaster, who was appointed as a voice for older people by Gordon Brown, claims that there is a hidden alcohol problem among senior citizens. So serious does she consider the situation that she is making a documentary about it for Panorama.
“People over 65 in this country are turning out to have drink-related problems,” Baroness Bakewell tells Mandrake at a party to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Oldie magazine, at Simpson’s-in-the-Strand.
War veteran’s plea for help to stay at home
A TERMINALLY-ill war veteran is pleading for more help at home so that he and his wife can stay together.
12:00pm Friday 20th July 2012 in News By Joanna Codd
Until recently, cancer sufferer Bernard Read, 87, of Poole, has looked after his 86-year-old wife Vera, who has dementia – including cooking for her and giving her insulin injections.
But after a recent spell in hospital he is unable to continue giving her the same care.
His prostate cancer has spread to his bones and he has congestive heart failure. He is visited by carers three times a day.
Mr Read said: “My wife doesn’t get any care at all. The main time it is necessary is at night. I can’t get out of bed and my wife is diabetic.
“If she had a hypo I couldn’t do anything about it. She could be downstairs on her own and she’s bad with electrics.
Isolated and lonely older people in Norwich to benefit from charity’s £200,000 lottery windfall
More than £200,000 is to be spent on bringing isolated and lonely older people back into their Norwich communities.
Richard Wheeler Tuesday, July 17, 2012
6.30 AM
Age UK Norwich is searching for 60 new befrienders to keep elderly people active – from a walk in the park to a visit to the pub.
The charity has received £200,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to expand its volunteer project during the next three years to meet an ever-increasing demand.
And now it needs helpers to come forward to put it into action.
The first volunteer event will be held tomorrow at its office in Boardman House, Redwell Street, city centre, from 2pm.
Phil Wells, Age UK Norwich chief executive, said the World Health Organisation regarded loneliness as a “bigger killer than smoking”.
