The consequences of the cost of living crisis go far for older people
A few weeks ago, I met Joan*. She is a regular attendee at Age UK in Gateshead’s centre. She loves it-it’s the only time I get out in the week, she told me, as she was getting ready to take part in a hotly contested bingo session.
But then she told me something else-she said that she is having to decide between the small amount that she pays to get the bus to the centre and having enough time for her heating to be on. She’s really worried about the impact of energy bills.
In my first few weeks as Chief Executive at Age UK, I’m deeply concerned by a message that I’ve heard many times already as I’ve been meeting people across the UK-the impossible choices that many older people are having to make. The choice between getting out and heating, between accessing social care and eating. Our recent research that found that more than 1 in 5 older people are already stopping spending on medication or specialist foods, 1 in 7 are already skipping meals, and 1 in 10 are reducing or stopping their access to social care. It’s not surprising that many local Age UKs are reporting a substantial increase in calls from older people needing help and advice.
This in itself is bad enough for people who often struggle to have a good quality of life, often don’t complain and don’t want to ask for help. But the knock on effects are significant. It’s pretty clear that the cost of living crisis is going to lead to significant health issues, additional social care needs and reduced quality of life for over a million older people, which will be felt beyond the cold nights of winter.
Of course there are tough demands on all of us, but the consequences of failure here are life-threatening. Continued support for the work of Age UK, other charity partners in the voluntary sector is going to be vital for many people. The volunteers and staff who support older people through our networks and through The Silverline, and our Telephone Befriending Service, are giving people hope and support.
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This week, we have launched Fred’s story, to connect with our current focus on the World Cup, but also to remind us that many older people face the next few weeks alone and without support. So as we sit down to watch the Three Lions tonight, please think about showing your support for Age UK as well as England.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/donate/a/christmas22-brand/meet-fred-general-donate/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=christmasbrand22&utm_content=60subs
*name has been changed.
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1 年Paul Farmer what you need to think of is the nutrition value of the food they are eating in the energy crisis and also environmental factors such a mould etc all the above decreasing zinc deficiency and micronutrients levels in sure your aware oxadative stress reduces zinc levels and how vitamin d receptor is controlled by zinc (VDR receptor) and low zinc is seen in chronic disease if you want a meeting to discuss this let me know via DM and me and Danni can have a conversation about our research with you which may improve the lives of those patients that rely on age Uk
Enterprise Relationship Director | Career Activist
1 年It is so important to care for those who cannot care for themselves and to give love to those who may feel alone, neglected or forgotten. ??
Mentoring and investing in start-ups, enhancing career prospects for young people
1 年Welcome Paul. It’s a great organisation with some outstanding people. Would like to wish you every success in your new roll. Couldn’t be more important in the current climate!
General Secretary & Chief Executive at WEA - Adult Learning, Within Reach
2 年Hi Paul. We hear these stories on a daily basis as well in WEA - Adult Learning, Within Reach sessions across England & Scotland. I am sure we are already working together in some areas and it would be good to put the teams together to share ideas. Best wishes for the new role.