Our support to our local community extends beyond funeral care, and to those who are simply growing a little older. We recently recieved an email from a lovely lady who compiled most of the following lists and kindly gave us permission to share the information.
Into retirement and not everybody has the support of a well earned pension. Almost two million UK pensioners live in poverty as life without a regular working income becomes the norm. With this in mind, we're keen to ensure that all older people are fully aware of the benefits packages available to them. A state pension is there for everyone who has worked, but are you aware of the other packages that could make your retirement a little easier? Age UK's Benefits Calculator will reveal some answers, and this guide will help you find everything that you are entitled to.
Please note – this article refers only individuals old enough to withdraw a state pension. Click here, for advice on other benefits that may be available in the UK and through Universal Credit.
The sum of your state pension depends on how much money you have contributed to National Insurance through your working life. The UK State Pension eligibility age is subject to change, dependent on your date of birth. If you are unsure then, you should use the government's official State Pension Age Calculator.
Not all older people are aware of this scheme, which supersedes traditional low-income payments such as Housing Benefit once an individual reaches pension age.
In addition to your state pension, you could have access to a private pension arranged by your previous employers – ask your former employer for information on this if you are unsure.
With fuel costs ever increasing, these links will assist pensioners to deal with heating your homes in the colder months. .
Dementia, including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease, is a common concern for older adults. It's only natural that, as we age, we become a little more forgetful. While dementia cannot be cured, its impact can be slowed with early intervention.
Older adults are entitled to several discounts and complimentary services throughout the country.
Personal Independence Payments (PIP), formerly known as the Disability Living Allowance, is not available to anybody over the age of 64, but if you are living with a disability you may be eligible for certain other payments.
Some rail providers offer complimentary travel to older travellers at their discretion. Check with your local rail network for more information. There are, however, two nationwide travel concession schemes active in the UK.
Loneliness can be lethal for older people. Thankfully, there are a number of charities dedicated to offering friending services. These bodies will ensure that older people that live alone receive regular house calls from a friendly face. Popular examples include:
There are numerous charities across the UK that offer financial support in your later years. Whilst some may offer funding, others offer support services or short-term loans of essential equipment.
Two of the most well-known are The British Red Cross and Age Concern. Even if these organisations are not able to help you directly, they will have advice on other support networks to turn to.
Also known Age UK, this national charity was founded specifically to help older generations. The organisation works as a central funding source for many of the UK's charities, providing grants and funding for its partners.
These Friends of Age UK groups work at a local level, offering services and funding that will vary depending on where you live.
If you're looking for individual financial help, or you're part of a small group needing support, you cannot access grants directly from Age UK. Instead, you can either email
grants@ageuk.org.uk or use Age UK's online portal to find your nearest Friends of Age UK partner.
The British Red Cross is one of the country's best-known organisations. Though they perform a wealth of work abroad, the organisation also provides care and support for people in the UK. The British Red Cross doesn't actually provide grants. Instead, it offers free services to those in need.
Access to mobility aids can have a significant impact on any older person's quality of life. Recently returning home from a hospital stay, for example, will be considerably less troublesome with the right apparatus.
The Red Cross offer short-term loans of items like commodes, walking sticks, walkers, grab rails and wheelchairs. These could be invaluable as you recover from ill health or look for a longer-term solution. For information on services in your area, click here.
The Red Cross also runs a volunteer program so you can get much needed help at home if you require it.
These trained carers provide physical and emotional support. They'll be on call to help rehabilitate people after hospital stays, or lend an extra hand so you won't be admitted to hospital in the first place.
Basic first aid training is given, and volunteers can offer companionship, and help collect groceries and prescriptions. More information can be found here.
As we all grow older, it's only natural that we fight to retain our independence. This does not mean that opportunities for financial assistance should go unclaimed, though. You have paid into The System for your entire life. Now is the opportunity to reclaim any help that you are entitled to.
With so many resources discussed throughout this article, you'd be forgiven for growing overwhelmed. Here is a summary of the useful links that have been profiled.
If you have a link or a UK based service that you think we should add then please get in touch. Email us at office@larvinandclegg.co.uk
