A walking stick that makes  a fashion statement as much as a walking aid! It comes in  an all-over snakeskin pattern in black, grey and white, as seen in the accessories collections of all the great fashion houses this spring: Dior, Armani, Burberry etc.

The shaped  handle gives  excellent support to the hand and may be hooked over the arm when not in use. The strong and light aluminium shaft folds into four sections. It is height adjustable from 82 to 92cm in 2.5cm increments.

Fitted with a rubber ferrule and smart metal collar. Remember, a walking stick is not just a mobility aid; it can be an expression of a person’s style

1. Exercise

You don’t have to join an exercise class or the gym – things like gardening, playing tennis or bowls, or going for a brisk walk can be just as effective.

Just make sure you check with your doctor if you have a condition or haven’t exercised in a while. 

2. Eat a healthy diet

• Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables – aim for five portions a day.
• Too much salt increases your risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Check food labels for the salt content, particularly in processed meats, savoury snacks, biscuits, bacon, soups and ready meals.
• Too much saturated fat raises cholesterol and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Foods high in saturated fat include biscuits, cakes, pastries, sausages, meat pies, fatty meat and cheese.
• Don’t drink too much alcohol. Know how many units you are drinking, and speak to your GP if you find yourself regularly having a drink to help you cope.

3. Don’t smoke

It’s never too late to feel the benefits of giving up smoking. Ask your GP or pharmacist about local one-to-one or group support and anti-smoking medication.

4. Engage socially with others

Why not volunteer with Age UK? It doesn’t how much or little time you have – with more than 170 local Age UKs, as well as around 500 shops, you can get involved in your local community and meet new people.

Age UK volunteers do everything from gardening and driving to visiting people living alone. You could be serving customers and helping to dress the window in one of our shops.

Or you could work behind the scenes sorting through donations or helping with basic administration.

We also welcome book or antique enthusiasts in our shops to help price donations. With your help we can deliver more services to people in later life.

5. Have a positive attitude about ageing

Research shows that older people who have a positive attitude to ageing, and who work with the changes it brings, tend to have better health and live longer than those who see only the negatives.

Devoting time to old friends and favourite hobbies is important – but remember to explore new interests too. It’s easy to meet new friends, try new activities or share something you enjoy in your local area.

Age UK supports more than 85 Friendship Centres across England and works with a network of 600 independent forums of older people.

6. Get regular health checkups

Speak to your GP if there is a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, This helps identify any problems before symptoms arise.

Don’t ignore invites for a flu jab  or cancer screening. NHS screening programmes for breast, bowel and cervical cancer are there to pick up problems at an early stage.

7. Protect your eyes

Take advantage of free NHS sight tests if you’re eligible. Have your eyes checked every two years, or annually if you are aged 70 or over.

8. Avoid excessive sun exposure

While it’s good to get outside and enjoy good weather, it’s important that you take precautions when the sun is out.

There are odd occasions when very high temperatures and humidity can present a risk to health, and many of us can be particularly susceptible to heat-related illness.

9. Get sufficient good-quality sleep

Getting a decent night’s sleep isn’t just about beating tiredness. Good-quality sleep has additional health benefits, such as reducing your risk of depression , lowering inflammation, helping stress and even improving your heart  

10. Pay attention to your pension, and get expert financial advice

There’s never been a more important time to get your finances checked out. Your pension could be working harder for you and your savings may not be in the best place.

Talking to an independent financial adviser is the best way to get impartial advice about your money matters and ensure that you are getting everything that you’re entitled to

Bus operators will need to cut corners if subsidies are reduced – and the elderly could miss out

Free bus travel for millions of pensioners could be scaled back due to coalition budget cuts, it emerged last night.

A time limit may be imposed on when passes are valid, in what campaigners warn will be the beginning of the end for concessionary travel.

Pensioners and the disabled are currently entitled to free off-peak travel in England.

These could include axing bus routes through rural areas or large estates, leaving vulnerable residents isolated.

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Local councils also offer other concessions including free travel during the morning peak, community transport services, reduced rail fares or companion passes. These usually apply only in the local area.

But all these ‘extras’ are under threat as they are not protected by law and councils only have an obligation to provide free travel on buses after 9.30am

A simple walk is a good way to celebrate a spring day.

Springtime is nearly upon us it isn’t just the young who get spring fever. The elderly, who can be just as  young at heart, also want and need to go outside and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine. The elderly have a large array of choices for activities that will whisk them into the great outdoors.

1. Gardening
   • Gardening is a productive activity for the elderly on a spring day.

Gardening is a classic way for the elderly to enjoy nature in the spring. Depending on their health and fitness, and the level of difficulty of the gardening, this is a perfect way to participate with a fun and productive outdoor activity, either with friends or alone.

1. Painting
   • A trip to the park can make for a lovely spring afternoon why not try taking paint and paper and painting what you see, it does not matter if your not a Picasso, it can be very relaxing
2. Bicycling
   • Bicycles are made for all abilities and comfort levels. If a senior citizen would like to ride a bicycle, there is most assuredly a bicycle that will fit their needs. Pedaling leisurely on a spring day is a perfect way for elderly individuals to get in their exercise and keep in touch with what is happening in their neighborhood and community.

Taking the Grandkids or Neighbour Kids to the Park

1.  
   • Children in springtime can be an inspiration for anyone. When the elderly are able to engage with the inquiring and nonstop minds of children, as well as to try to keep up with their activity levels, it can make for a fun time for everyone. Pushing the children on swings and swinging on their own, the park and playground is timeless and meant for people of all ages to enjoy.

There are several types of Bath lifts available to make it easier for you to get in and out of the bath. These usually consist of a seat or platform that can be raised or lowered to support your weight as you get in and out and allow you to sit in the bath to wash. There are also walk in baths that have a door so you can enter without having to climb over the side.

Another option depending  on your needs it to  install a ‘wet room’ or level-access shower, which often have a wall-attached seat to assist those who cannot stand for long periods.

Other items in the bathroom can also be tailored to meet your needs. A wall-mounted sink may allow you to get closer and wash more comfortably if you are a wheelchair user. This and other facilities can be set at the right height for someone who is in a wheelchair or using a mobile shower seat.

The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax free payment to help older people keep warm during winter. It is provided by the government to those who are eligible.

It’s not means tested and you can get it if you’re still working or claiming a benefit. However if you were born on or before 5 January 1951 you may qualify. If you were born after 5 January 1951, find out when you’ll qualify for Winter Fuel see Directgov.com website and follow the links.

The amount of Winter Fuel Payment you can get depends on your personal situation – find out how much you can get. Again see the directgov.com website and follow the links.

If you have previously received a Winter Fuel Payment and there has been no change to your circumstances, you don’t need to reapply. You should automatically get your payment this year. However if you circumstances have changed you need to tell the government of these changes.

You have not received a Winter Fuel Payment before

If you have not received a Winter Fuel Payment before then you need to find out if you qualify. Claims must be received by 30 March 2012.

If your partner is currently receiving a Winter Fuel Payment, but you aren’t, then you will need to claim.

Find out if you can claim it, how to claim it and how much you can get. There’s also information on when you’ll be paid, what to do if there’s a change in your situation or you think your payment is incorrect.

Cold Weather Payment

Cold Weather Payments are different to Winter Fuel Payments. You may get one for each week of very cold weather in your area. Again see the directgov.com website and follow the links for more information.

More than 25 years later she was seen by a gastrointestinal specialist in hospital suffering from stomach pains, weight loss and diarrhoea. An urgent investigation disclosed that areas of the woman’s large intestine had become inflamed, which was causing the abdominal pain.

A CAT scan of her abdomen appeared to uncover a “linear foreign body in the stomach” that looked remarkably similar to a pen. The plastic felt-tip was later successfully removed during surgery under general anaesthetic but doctors were astounded when they removed the pen undamaged and still in full working order.

The pensioner  was eventually found by police still in his car after a major search when concerned relatives reported him missing.

His car  was seen  on a police camera only 10km from his intended destination yesterday but he was not seen again until today.

A source told us “he had stopped to catch up on some much needed sleep   before setting off again. He is after all 82 years old. Presumably he put fuel in the car during the service stops over the two days”.

The pensioner has been reunited with his daughter safe and well.

Listen to us on Radio Heart FM

In the New Year we are going to be advertising on the radio. Madge from Benidorm is the voice of our campaign as we think you will find them hilarious.

Madge Mobility

Madge from Benidorm is going to be the new voice for our advertising campaign which is due to go live on Heart FM in the New Year. We hope you will find our ads as funny as the show!