We live in a fast-ageing world.
With 600 million people over the age of 60 world-wide and this figure set to double in the next 20 years, it’s fair to say that the future’s, well, older.
Wigan is no exception to this and while growing older may be a fact of life it doesn’t have to detract from your quality of life.
Wigan Council works with many different organisations across the borough to provide a range of services and activities for the older 50s, all aimed at encouraging them to lead independent lives. From counselling and support to Tai Chi and aromatherapy there really is something for everyone.
And as Wigan Council’s Cabinet Champion for Older People Cllr Keith Cunliffe explains, it’s something we could all benefit from. “Older people are playing an increasingly important role in society, through volunteer work, passing on experience and knowledge, helping their families with caring responsibilities as well as continuing to be an important part of the country’s workforce. This vital contribution can only be kept going if older people get the help and support they need in terms of health and well-being.”
Borough Life took a look at just some of the many services that are on offer and discovered that you really are never too old...
Support builds a healthy lifestyle
Why not? With support from the public services in Wigan, there are opportunities for all pensioners to enjoy life to the full.
The council’s day centres are there to provide some of the services older people may need to keep them active, sociable and independent.
Wigan’s Central Day Centre on Sullivan Way is a great example. It offers a range of exciting and stimulating activities from daily living skills and chair-based exercises, through to cookery and aromatherapy.
And they can really help to turn people’s lives around. Take the case of Marjorie Billing. She’s a regular to Central Day Centre’s Breakfast Booster Exercise group and is also part of the Ladies Health group. She’s become more aware of the importance of her own health and has lost a stone in weight to boot!
Meanwhile another day centre regular Rita Wheelan has seen her confidence grow after visiting the centre. Thanks to encouragement from centre staff the once reticent Rita has made loads of positive changes to her life including picking up the phone and re-connecting with some old friends.
To find out more about council day services for older people, give your nearest day centre a call:
Central Day Centre 01942 826303
Etherstone Day Centre 01942 671919
Golborne Day Centre 01942 718898
Hindley Day Centre 01942 521927
You’ll need a social work assessment to find out if you’re eligible. To arrange this contact 01942 828777.
Partnership gives peace of mind over home repairs
Repairs around the home can be daunting enough for anyone but for older people living alone, keeping on top of all those odd jobs can become difficult to manage.
But thanks to a partnership between the council and the national Anchor organisation help is at hand.
From its base on Canal Street, Wigan, Anchor Staying Put provides a range of services for older and disabled people throughout our borough.
Lynda Ingram from the scheme explains: “We help with repairs, improvements or adaptations to a property.
“It can be everything from small repair jobs through to large-scale works, such as ground floor extensions, bathroom adaptations, ramps and stair lifts.
“Everything we do is geared towards helping people live safely and independently in their own homes. We can help with access to the various grants and funding that are available to get the work they need completed.”
For example Staying Put recently helped one Leigh woman in her 70s to get funding to replace roofing slates and for some re-pointing work to her gable end.
Another disabled couple living in a semi-detached house managed to get a grant of more than £800 to get a damp-proof course for the living room.
Lynda adds: “Whatever people’s means we are here to offer the right confidential advice and support.”
To find out more, you can call Anchor Staying Put on 01942 825849.
Falls prevention scheme boosts confidence
When Wigan pensioner Eileen lost her husband it left a huge hole in her life.
The devastating effect of losing her life partner left the 74 year-old grandma and mother of five low in confidence and lost without her children around her.
One of her biggest fears was about falling over in her Wigan home. It became so bad that it was stopping her from doing the everyday chores round the house that many of us take for granted.
After seeking help from her GP, Eileen was referred to Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Active Living Team, which runs a falls prevention programme.
Falls Prevention Officer Katharine Kennedy says: “Eileen started to come to our regular weekly sessions and it’s given her a real boost.
“She is less anxious about falling and feels she would know how to cope if she did have a fall thanks to the techniques we have taught her.”
Eileen has also managed to boost her circle of friends through the class and is more sociable as a result.
In Eileen’s own words: “I’ve got my confidence back. I can do my own housework and have even started doing a bit of gardening. I look forward to the classes so much that now I go twice a week.”
To find out more about the Falls Prevention Programme you can call the Active Living Team on 01942 404981.
