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Your voice in Gateshead - Spring 09

New Look Website Launched

www.gatesheadolderpeoplesassembly.co.uk

Message from the Chair

It looks like this is going to be another very

busy year, we have already held two events and

have many more planned. We are holding a

‘Healthier You’ event at St Alban’s Church

Hall, Windy Nook on 25th March and a

Community Safety Event at Birtley Fire Station

on 23rd April. Please do attend these events if

you can, they are for your benefit. We are also planning with Age

Concern and other local organisations, an Older People’s Festival to

be held in October, more details to follow in our next edition.

It is our intention to start up our Branch Assemblies very soon and

we will be looking for your support. These Assemblies will enable us

to find out FROM YOU the concerns YOU may have. We can then

take these concerns forward to the appropriate people and ensure

your ‘ Voice’ is heard at the highest level. In the meantime you can

contact us at the office if you need any more information.

Take care of yourselves and best wishes

Esther Ward (Chair) Esther Ward (Chair) Esther Ward (Chair) Esther Ward (Chair)

Meetings Attended ~ On Your BehalfMeetings Attended ~ On Your BehalfMeetings Attended ~ On Your BehalfMeetings Attended ~ On Your Behalf Gateshead Strategic PartnershipGateshead Strategic PartnershipGateshead Strategic PartnershipGateshead Strategic Partnership Involvement ForumInvolvement ForumInvolvement ForumInvolvement Forum Community Care ForumCommunity Care ForumCommunity Care ForumCommunity Care Forum Self Directed Support PartnershipSelf Directed Support PartnershipSelf Directed Support PartnershipSelf Directed Support Partnership Gateshead Community NetworkGateshead Community NetworkGateshead Community NetworkGateshead Community Network Gateshead LINkGateshead LINkGateshead LINkGateshead LINk Health and Social Care PartnershipHealth and Social Care PartnershipHealth and Social Care PartnershipHealth and Social Care Partnership Gateshead Older People ’ s Partnership BoardGateshead Older People ’ s Partnership BoardGateshead Older People ’ s Partnership BoardGateshead Older People ’ s Partnership Board Local Engagement BoardLocal Engagement BoardLocal Engagement BoardLocal Engagement Board North East Transport ForumNorth East Transport ForumNorth East Transport ForumNorth East Transport Forum Gateshead Housing PartnershipGateshead Housing PartnershipGateshead Housing PartnershipGateshead Housing Partnership Gateshead Diversity ForumGateshead Diversity ForumGateshead Diversity ForumGateshead Diversity Forum Gateshead Health Impact Assessment Gateshead Health Impact Assessment Gateshead Health Impact Assessment Gateshead Health Impact Assessment Steering Steering Steering Steering GroupGroupGroupGroup

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Become a member of

Gateshead Older

People’s Assembly

It’s Free!!

Fill in the

Membership Form

on the back page

Dear MemberDear MemberDear MemberDear Member INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Message from the

Chair

Meet the Committee

Let’s Hear your

‘Voice’

Past and Upcoming

Events

NHS Direct

NHS Foundation

Trust

Access All Areas

Useful Contacts

Members Pages

Assembly News Meet the Committee –Margery Scott

How did you become involved with Gateshead Older People’s

Assembly?

I joined as a member in 2001 at an event, but it wasn’t until 2007 that I

became more actively involved. I volunteered to join the steering group

meeting for ‘The Gateshead Looking Forward Festival’. I slowly

became more involved with the Forum as it was then, and became a

Management Committee Member at the following Annual General

Meeting.

What type of activities do you enjoy?

I enjoy crafts and have tried most of them, but age has now limited me

to card making, recycling used cards. I also love jigsaws and Sudoku puzzles.

What do you enjoy the most?

Cooking and eating, even if it is all by myself, I love eating out but there is no pleasure

dining out alone. Don’t print that in case all those men out there start ringing me!! I

should be so lucky!!

How has it helped you?

The Assembly has brought me out of me shell. I was quite a loner and like many people

my age I would sit in the house day in, day out. I now love attending meetings and

volunteer as much as I can. Thanks to the Assembly I now have a new lease of life.

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LET’S HEAR YOUR VOICE

Would you like to submit a piece for our next Newsletter?

If so, we would love to hear from you.

Would you like to share your stories about your life, maybe you spent time in the

services or remember a historical event or have a precious memory to share.

It may be a family recipe or old photographs of places or people.

Do you have any tips or advice, poems, jokes, or points

of view to share?

Whatever it may be, please contact:

Kerry Pattison

Gateshead Older People’s Assembly, 65 High Street,

Felling, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE10 9LU

Telephone: 0191 438 1721 Fax: 0191 469 5648

Assembly News

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Intergenerational Mobile Phone Training Event

The students became the teachers at our Mobile Phone Training Event on 19th February 2009. Members of Gateshead Youth Assembly were on hand to give help and advice to older residents of Gateshead on how to use their mobile phones.

The idea was sparked by Assembly member Mrs Nancy Harrison. ‘ I have a mobile phone and only use it for making and receiving the odd calls. My son insists I have it for emergencies. I’ve never sent a text message and would like to learn and I’m sure there are many other older people our there like me.’ The day was a great success and was even featured in the Evening Chronicle and BBC Look North.

Our thanks to all those who took part especially the members of Gateshead Youth Assembly who

were brilliant.

We look forward to hosting more joint events in the future.

With support from

Then come along on 17th March

11am to 2pm our office at 65 High

Street, Felling, Gateshead.

Free training can be arranged to suit

your needs and ability from complete

beginners to the more advanced.

Would you like to

Discover Computers?

Assembly News

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‘‘‘‘Healthier You’ EventHealthier You’ EventHealthier You’ EventHealthier You’ Event

25th March 2009

St Albans Church Hall

Garvey Villas, Windy Nook, Gateshead

11.30am to 2.30pm

Members of Gateshead Community Health

Team will be on hand to give advice on health, nutrition and exercise along with

cooking demonstrations provided by Wiltshire Farm Foods. There will be a

chair based exercise taster session provided by Age Concern – Active Age

Instructors, Thai Chi demonstrations, as well as Medicine Management advice

from NHS Community Pharmacists. There will also be affordable fresh fruit

and vegetables available to purchase from The Food Chain North East and

much more.

A small change can make a big difference

Community Safety EventCommunity Safety EventCommunity Safety EventCommunity Safety Event��������

Birtley Fire Station

Durham Road, Birtley, Gateshead

23rd April 11am to 3pm

Come along and meet us at Birtley Fire Station.

There will be a program of events throughout the day to include

demonstrations and advice from Northumbria Police, North East Ambulance

Service, Gateshead Council Neighbourhood Wardens, Road Safety and Trading

Standards officers as well as the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Services

Educational Outreach Appliance.

The station will also be open to the public.

Refreshments will be available at both events

Come along and bring a friend or two.

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Information and Services

NHS Direct, is now in its tenth year of operation, offers health advice and reassurance to people in England, 24 hours a day for 365 days of the year. Our team of experienced nurses and health advisors are on-hand to give the right advice whatever the health concern. When you call us, you’ll be asked to provide some basic information, including details of any medication you may be taking. If you are calling on behalf of someone else, your child for example, you’ll need to provide this information on their behalf. We will assess your problem and advise on the best course of action and depending upon the symptoms or concern, may suggest self-care at home or recommend seeing a pharmacist or another health professional such as your doctor. We do not diagnose nor can we get you an appointment at your GP surgery.

If you’re looking for information on a wide range of health topics such as healthy living, conditions and treatments to medicines and support groups or details of other NHS services like GPs and dentists – we can help. As well as providing the public with an easily accessible health help line we also have a significant role to play in supporting our NHS colleagues in secondary care.

We work closely with our NHS colleagues, such as PCTs, by providing special projects and niche services that benefit both the patient and the NHS provider. For example we run a telephone reminder service for Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust outpatient department which is having a significant impact on missed appointments (Did Not Attend or DNA rates); patients who have undergone surgery and who are due to attend a follow up appointment are called to make sure they are intending to go. In some specialities DNA rates have plummeted so the savings to the Trust, both staffing and financial, can be immense.

Information and Services

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NHS Direct has been working with ambulance services on taking low priority or non-urgent calls known as Cat C calls. Callers are assessed, swiftly and safely, by our team of nurses and health advisors, and provided with self-care advice or alternative care pathways other than referral to a casualty department, therefore freeing up the ambulance service to deal with calls requiring urgent or primary care. Finally, all NHS Trusts are under a legal obligation to give local people a say and influence how services are planned, developed and delivered – we call it Patient and Public Involvement (PPI). If you would like to get involved or would like one of our regional Patient and Public Involvement Leads to come along to your group or organisation and talk about NHS Direct – please contact Elaine Jackson – 0191 2381184.

———————————————————-

Meeting Room Available to HireMeeting Room Available to HireMeeting Room Available to HireMeeting Room Available to Hire

Newly refurbished , fully accessible meeting room available to hire for organisations and community groups.

Laptop and projector available for Power Point presentations . Flip board and overhead projector also available. Flexible layout

Affordable Full Day , half day or hourly rates available .

Contact : Gateshead Older people’s Assembly On 0191 438 1721 0191 438 1721 0191 438 1721 0191 438 1721 Or E-mail : admin.assembly@btconnect.comadmin.assembly@btconnect.comadmin.assembly@btconnect.comadmin.assembly@btconnect.com

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National News Alcohol and the Elderly

A recent government health survey found that 1 to 5 per cent of elderly people who drank more than occasionally were ‘problem drinkers’, reporting significant psychological and/or physical dependence on alcohol. Other studies have found higher proportions of elderly problem drinkers, especially in men. One found 5 to 12 per cent of men in their 60’s to have alcohol problems. There is evidence that today’s population of elderly people may be relatively heavier drinkers than previous generations. This could be the result of an effect whereby a generation which has had its formative years at a time of high social availability and acceptability of alcohol may be more likely to retain the habit of drinking. Higher levels of disposable income in retirement could also be a factor. Certainly, drinking surveys suggest that since 1984, in both men and women aged 45 to 65 and over the proportions of those exceeding the ‘sensible limits’ have been rising steadily. In regard to the number of elderly problem drinkers, another factor is simply that due to longer life expectancy and the ageing of the population there are more elderly people. Elderly Drinkers Three ‘types’ of elderly drinkers have been identified: Early-Onset drinkers or ‘Survivors’ are those people who have a continuing problem with alcohol which developed in earlier life. It is thought that two thirds of elderly problem drinkers have had an early onset of alcohol misuse. However, because of the health risks connected to heavy drinking and dependence on alcohol, the chances of reaching old age are reduced, one estimate is that the life span of a problem drinker may be shortened by on average ten to fifteen years. Late-Onset drinkers or ‘Reactors’ begin problematic drinking later in life, often in response to traumatic life events such as the death of a loved one, loneliness, pain, insomnia, retirement etc. Intermittent or Binge drinkers use alcohol occasionally and sometimes drink to excess which may cause them problems. It is thought that both the late-onset drinkers and the intermittent or binge drinkers have a high chance of managing their alcohol problem if they have access to appropriate treatment such as counselling and general support. Reasons For Drinking - How Older People May Use Alcohol Disruption of lifestyle such as retirement and decreased social activity, are thought to be some of the main contributory factors among people who develop a problem with drinking later in life. Isolation and loneliness in old age can lead to increased drinking. Coming to terms with illness and pain which might accompany old age can mean that people use or start to use alcohol as an anaesthetic - this may also be seen as a way of justifying the drinking. People may use alcohol to help them sleep, especially if they are experiencing some sort of physical or emotional distress. However, although alcohol in small quantities may aid sleep, in larger quantities it can itself cause disturbed sleep patterns and wakefulness during the night.

Consequences Of Drinking For The Older Person Tolerance to alcohol is significantly lowered in the elderly so it is possible that the same amount of alcohol can have a more detrimental effect than it would on a younger person.

National News

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Elderly people are less tolerant to alcohol because of physical changes including: • A fall in ratio of body water to fat - less water for the alcohol to be diluted in Decreased

hepatic blood flow - liver will receive more damage • Inefficiency of liver enzymes - alcohol will not be broken down as efficiently • Altered responsiveness of the brain - alcohol will have a faster effect on the brain It is therefore possible that the same amount of alcohol may produce a higher Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) in the elderly than younger people. Elderly car drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a motoring accident after consuming even a small amount of alcohol, than they are at a zero level of alcohol. Alcohol depresses the brain function to a greater extent in older people, impairing co-ordination and memory, which can lead to falls and general confusion. It can also heighten emotions leading to moodiness, irritability or even violence. Alcohol in excess affects digestion, making it more difficult to absorb vitamins and minerals. However, a recent study conducted at Indiana University, found no evidence to indicate an association between moderate long-term alcohol intake and lower cognitive scores in ageing individuals. There was a suggestion of a small protective effect on cognitive functioning of past moderate drinking. Interaction With Other Drugs - Prescribed medication taken in conjunction with alcohol can cause adverse side effects and generally, older people are advised not to drink when they are taking other drugs. Problems caused by using alcohol and other drugs concurrently may include a diminished effect of the drugs in an individual who drinks regularly and the increased sensitivity to drugs conferred by malnutrition and severe liver damage, for example cirrhosis. Alcohol in moderate amounts can depress the rate of drug metabolism so that the action of some drugs is exaggerated. Drugs which act on the central nervous system depress the rate of alcohol breakdown so that the effect of alcohol may increased. Alcohol taken in conjunction with antidepressants may actually worsen the depression. Sleep Although alcohol is a brain sedative and promotes sleep, it actually reduces the amount of quality rapid eye movement (REM) sleep which we need to be fully rested and increases slow wave sleep. Its sedative effect lessens as the night progresses, arousal from sleep and continued wakefulness being likely to occur when the blood alcohol concentration approaches zero. Like other people, the elderly may have recourse to alcohol and prescribed drugs to help them cope with stress, anxiety and depression. However, recent research has suggested that for some people alcohol, even in relatively moderate quantities, actually makes things worse, prolonging rather than reducing the problem. Source: Institute of Alcohol Studies 3 April 2007

Alcoholics Anonymous: 0845 76 97 555

NERAF: 0191 565 6688

North East Council on Addictions: 0191 414 6446

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The Institute for Ageing and Health at Newcastle University have in partnership with years

ahead: the north east regional forum on ageing, established VOICENorth.

VOICENorth, has been set up to involve and engage with a wide range of people and their

communities and to consult with them on key issues around ageing and the issues facing our

ageing population.

It aims to identify public concerns and provides real opportunities for everyone to become

involved to help shape future research and policy-making.

We hope to involve up to 3000 people interested in contributing their ideas and experience.

Anyone is welcome to take part and you can be involved in a range of ways. Your level of

involvement is up to you.

For example:

• At the simplest level, you will be invited from time to time to respond to questionnaires

about research and/or policy-related issues in areas which are of interest to you.

• There will also be opportunity for you to join focus groups and workshops to discuss the

development of research and / or policy proposals.

• Other projects will need people to help recruit more members to assist in research, for

example by interviewing others, or by discussing the usefulness of new ideas and

developments.

• There will also be opportunities for some members to represent the everyday public at

groups concerned with the management, assessment and implementation of projects.

• Members of VOICENorth will receive regular invitations to conferences and other events

relevant to research advances or policy changes which affect their lives.

• All members will receive newsletters about VOICENorth’s activity and other related

opportunities to contribute to the academic and social development of the region.

years ahead: the north east regional forum on ageing

If you would like to become a member or receive more information on how to be involved,

please contact Kerry Pattison at Gateshead Older People’s Assembly on 0191 438 1721.

working with

Local News

Gateshead residents are being urged not to fall

foul of clever scammers out to con people out of

their hard earned cash.

We have joined forces with Gateshead’s

Trading Standards Team and the Office of

Fair Trading to help spread the message that

anyone can be affected by a scam; but older

consumers and the vulnerable can suffer the

most. The warning is that if an offer

through your letterbox or e-mail

inbox looks too good to be true, it

probably is.

John Herron from Gateshead

Trading Standards said: “Scams

can take many forms, ranging from

bogus lotteries, sweepstakes and

competitions through foreign

money offers, miracle health cures and free gift

schemes, to golden investment opportunities.

“The people who run scams are clever and they

know how to persuade us to part with our cash.

Beware of any offer that asks for money or your

bank details upfront, and pushes you into

making an immediate decision, or offers you

������������������������

��������SCAMNESTYSCAMNESTYSCAMNESTYSCAMNESTY���� DON’T LET THEM CON YOU

something for nothing, and don’t be rushed into

sending off money straightaway to someone you

don’t know.” ����

ScamnestyScamnestyScamnestyScamnesty was piloted during Scams

Awareness Month in February 2008. To combat

the scammers in Gateshead, Trading Standards

Officers are urging residents to bin scam mail as

soon as it drops through their letterbox. To

encourage this practice Trading

Standards will be placing

ScamnestyScamnestyScamnestyScamnesty bins inside libraries in

the borough to collect unwanted

mail and to inform the team of the

types of scams operating in the

borough.

John Herron from Trading

Standards pictured with

Maureen Southern MBE, Secretary of Felling

Community Centre demonstrating the

ScamnestyScamnestyScamnestyScamnesty Bin situated in reception,

Gateshead Older People’s Assembly, 65 High

Street, Felling, Gateshead

If you think you have been the victim of a scam, or you suspect a scam, call Gateshead Trading Standards on 0191 433 387 / 3890 / 3930 / 3892 or email

scamnesty@gateshead.gov.uk�scamnesty@gateshead.gov.uk�scamnesty@gateshead.gov.uk�scamnesty@gateshead.gov.uk��

Local News

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Gardening Service from Anchor Staying Put

Anchor Staying Put has recently launched a new gardening

service available to older homeowners across Gateshead. It employs two full

time gardeners and is also looking for gardening volunteers so that the service will be able to help

more people.

Customers can use the service as much or as little as they need to, from regular maintenance visits

to once a year clean ups. The gardeners can also gravel and pave areas of the garden, and repair

and replace fencing.

The service will be run as a social enterprise which means that customers pay for the work and

the money is invested back into the service to improve it and keep it running. One of our

gardeners will visit each new customer to give them a fixed price for the work. This will depend

on the size of the garden and scale of the work needed.

If you are over 60 (or 50 – 60 with a disability) please call Becky or Liz on 0191 495 6171 for

more information or to request a visit from the gardening team.

Anchor Staying Put also has services which can help with repairs to your

home, this can be anything from fixing a washer on a dripping tap to

rewiring the whole house. You can contact them on 0191 495 6177 to

discuss which service would be best for you.

GATESHEAD COUNCIL NEEDS YOUR VIEWS

Gateshead Council is developing its Climate Change strategy and we want

your views to help us take this forward.

We all have a responsibility to look after the world in which we live - both now and for future generations. The

climate is changing which means that the way we live in the world is changing too. From day to day impacts such

as higher fuel bills and poorer air quality to severe weather events such as high winds, flooding and prolonged hot

dry spells. Whether you believe the causes are down to human action, or natural events, climate change is a reality

and we must act now to stop it from getting worse.

So, from March, we will be making available our discussion document for comments that will then be developed

into our Climate Change Strategy.

To view the discussion document you can go online: www.gateshead.gov.uk or to receive a copy email:

stuarttimmiss@gateshead.gov.uk or request a copy in writing to: Stuart Timmiss, Head of Service Planning

and Environmental Strategy, Gateshead Council, Regent Street, Gateshead NE8 1HH.

Local News

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Are you Looking to Try Something New?

Leam Lane Community Centre, provide many activities for the over 60’s and are

looking for new people to join in the fun. Groups include:

Monday 10.00 am to 11.30 am Chair Based Aerobics

9.30 am to 11.30 am Line Dancing Beginners Class

7.00 pm to 9.00 pm Ladies Club

Tuesday 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm Bingo

Wednesday 10.00 am to 12.30 pm Third Age Group ( Chat & Crafts)

12.30 pm to 3.30 pm Over Sixties and Bingo

Friday 9.00 am to 3.00 pm Crafts

Saturday 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm Sequence Dance

Sunday 11.00 am to 12.30 pm Tai Chi

7.30 pm to 9.30 pm Line Dancing

For more information contact Gordan Coleman on : 0191 469 8156

Age Concern Gateshead

0191 477 3559

The Pension Service

0191 201 1636 or

0191 201 1638

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Gateshead Warmzone

0191 477 1919

AIRS

0191 433 8450

Sight Service

0191 478 5959

Safety Works

0191 274 3532

Gateshead Care Call

0191 433 2648 or

0191 478 7665

Adult Learning

0191 433 8646

Gateshead Community Health Team

0191 433 2092

Gateshead Health Trainers

0191 433 5793

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

0191 482 0000

Alzheimer’s Society Gateshead

0191 477 7490

Arthritis Care Gateshead

0191 477 8488

Chopwell and Blackhall Mill Live at

Home Scheme

01207 563 825

Gateshead Trading Standards

0191 433 3987, 0191 433 3890 or 0191

433 3930

Gateshead Central Library

0191 433 8400 We can make ‘The Voice’ available in a number of different formats for example large print. Current and past editions of our newsletters are available to view on our both Gateshead Council and our own website www.gatesheadolderpeoplesassembly.co.ukwww.gatesheadolderpeoplesassembly.co.ukwww.gatesheadolderpeoplesassembly.co.ukwww.gatesheadolderpeoplesassembly.co.uk This newsletter was produced with the support of :

Member’s Pages

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Can you dissect the horseshoe

into 6 pieces using 2 straight

lines.

Divide the image of the apples

above with 3 lines into 7 sections,

each containing 1 apple.

The object of this puzzle is to move 3

matchsticks to make the fish swim in

the opposite direction.

Did You Know !!

Eggs are a symbol of the new life that returns to nature at Easter Time.

The custom of exchanging eggs began long before Easter was celebrated.

It was a custom of the Egyptians and the Persians.

They exchanged eggs decorated in Spring colours.

They believed Earth hatched from an egg which contributed to this custom.

Early Christians used red colour eggs to symbolize the Resurrection.

In England they began writing messages and dates on their eggs and exchanging them

with friends and loved ones.

In the 1800's, candied eggs were made.

They were open on one end and a scene was put inside.

They were used as table centrepieces.

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Member’s Pages

FOR ALL THOSE BORN BEFORE 1945

We were born before television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, photocopiers, contact lenses,

Frisbees and the contraceptive pill. We were before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams, and

ball-point pens. Before tights, dishwashers, clothes dryers, electric blankets, air conditioners,

drip-dry clothes and before man walked on the moon.

We got married first and then lived together. How quaint can you be? In our time, closets were for

clothes, not for "coming out of". We thought fast food was what you ate during Lent; We were before

house-husbands, gay rights, computer dating, dual careers, and computer marriages.

We were before day-care centres, group therapy and nursing homes. We never heard of FM radio,

tape decks, electric typewriters, artificial hearts, word-processors, yoghurt, and men wearing

earrings. Hardware meant hardware, and software wasn't even a word! Pizzas, "MacDonald's" and

instant coffee were unheard of. In our day, cigarette smoking was fashionable.

GRASS was mowed, WEED was an unwanted plant, COKE was a cold drink, POT was something

you cooked in and CRACK was a hole in the pavement. And we were the last generation that thought

you needed a husband to have a baby.

NO WONDER THERE IS SUCH A GENERATION GAP TODAY!

Charity Reg No : 1101622

Gateshead Older People’s Assembly

Membership Form

For Monitoring purposes could you please complete the following: Please tick which age band you are in:

50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90+

Would you like to participate in any of the following?

Events Committee Office Focus Groups

Other ( Please State)

Vision Speech Hearing Mobility

Other ( Please State)

How did you hear about us? Many thanks, please return form to :

Gateshead Older People’s Assembly

65 High Street, Felling, Gateshead, NE10 9LU

Telephone : 0191 438 1721 Fax : 0191 469 5648

Do you have any special requirements?

Name: Mr / Mrs / Ms:

Postcode: Telephone:

Address:

What is your Ethnic Origin:

E-mail: Signature:

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