Knowing what formal and informal advocacy is, and when and how it should be applied, is vital for the health and wellbeing of older people benefitting from care services. In the latest NICE guidance on this subject “Advocacy services for adults with health and social care needs” the importance of adults knowing about the benefits of independent advocacy and how to access it were researched, and the guidance made it clear that care providers should be able to signpost people to both formal and informal advocacy as appropriate.
But what does this mean in practice? Well you may be happy to hear that recognising a need for advocacy is pretty straightforward and so is taking the next steps once the need has been recognised. Take a look at our short explanatory film and email any questions to sharon.jenkins@opaal.org.uk.
And remember of our page “Resources for Individuals” there are several FREE advocacy checklists that anyone can download that can help prepare for some of those difficult conversations we may want or need to have in order to enjoy our later life.
Here is a testimonial from the Royal Star and Garter Care Home, how independent advocacy has enriched the life of one of their residents,
In the month of October, the advocate was asked by a resident if they could support them by requesting regular visits to their son’s church. The resident mentioned that due to health reasons they have not been able to attend church but now that they can mobilise around the home better, they would like the opportunity to visit their church where their son is an acting member of the church group.
The advocate spoke with the lead nurse on duty who confirmed that staff are looking into a plan for the resident to visit their son’s church regularly. Due to the resident being a wheelchair user, they would arrange for the home’s car to be available to take the resident to church. The staff mentioned that they are waiting for a response from the president’s son.
At the last advocacy visit, the resident mentioned ‘’thank you for passing on my requests, my son visited, and I will be attending church soon’’.
As the sands of time sift through the hourglass of our lives, it is inevitable that our perspectives and beliefs evolve. One aspect of our personal journey that often undergoes significant transformation is spirituality. Yet, despite the profound impact it can have on our lives, discussing changes in spirituality as we age remains a delicate and often uncharted territory.
By fostering open dialogue, we can cultivate an environment of acceptance and understanding. As we continue to age, let us strive to create spaces where the unspoken can find its voice, allowing the symphony of diverse spiritual journeys to harmonize into a melody of acceptance and connection.
The wonderful Marie Curie organisation offers many thoughtful and helpful points to consider on the subject of spirituality and palliative care for healthcare professionals on their website.
If you need to start that conversation, this FREE checklist could maybe help.
At what point do we decide that love, sex and romance is no longer of interest to us? Well the answer is for a great many people NEVER!
And moving to a care setting is no reason for any adult to be denied expression of these feelings that help give us such an enormous sense of wellbeing and happiness.
With that in mind, here is the Royal College of Nurses’ Report on Older People in Care Homes: Sex Sexuality and Intimate Relationships.
This report provides invaluable insight into how love, sex and romance can be supported for older people in care settings, in a compassionate and understand way.
If you or someone you know needs to start a conversation about their sex life in any way then checkout our FREE checklist to get that conversation started.
There is no denying that exercise is a great way to generate self confidence and to boost morale. This premise has recently been endorsed by the World Health Organisation who has produced a helpful tooklkit to keep us all moving, health and happy in later life!
If your organisation wants to do more to support older people with their exercise needs and wants, you can also contact Sport Works
In modern times it is undeniable that from time to time we will all need the advice and support of someone with legal expertise. But what do you do if your resources simply will not stretch to what can be an expensive service? Thankfully we are proud to say that one of our members LawWorks are here to help.
LawWorks is a charity working in England and Wales to connect volunteer lawyers with people in need of legal advice, who are not eligible for legal aid and cannot afford to pay and with the the not-for-profit organisation that support them. Laworks helped Aisha, a 63 year old woman living with a number of health conditions, challenge the decision regarding her Personal Independent Payment, when Aisha was unable to speak up about her needs on her own.
If you or someone you know needs to start a conversation about getting some legal advice our FREE resources could help start that conversation.
For older people in the UK who are in receipt of a pension, understanding or getting help to understand the self-assessment tax process is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, accurate tax reporting ensures compliance with legal requirements, avoiding penalties or interest on unpaid taxes. Many pensioners may have multiple income streams, including state pension, private pensions, investments, or part-time work. Properly accounting for these through self-assessment ensures they pay the correct amount of tax and can identify any eligible deductions or allowances, potentially reducing their tax liability. Moreover, understanding this process can help in better financial planning, providing clarity on their net income and helping them manage their budgets more effectively.
Secondly, navigating the self-assessment tax process can be complex, especially for those who may not be familiar with online systems or tax terminology. For older individuals, particularly those with limited access to digital resources or who might experience cognitive decline, seeking assistance is vital. Professional help, such as from tax advisors or accountants, can ensure accurate completion and submission of tax returns. Furthermore, support services from charities or community organisations can provide valuable assistance and peace of mind. Ensuring they receive the correct guidance and support helps mitigate stress and confusion, enabling older pensioners to focus on enjoying their retirement without the burden of tax worries And of course we have a FREE CHECKLIST to aid opening that potentially difficult conversation about getting help with the taxation process. And here are some useful HMRC links:
Registering for Self-Assessment online by signing in to Government Gateway: HMRC online services: sign in or set up an account: Sign in to HMRC online services – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Filing your Self-Assessment tax online: File your Self Assessment tax return online – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Paying your Self-Assessment tax: Pay your Self Assessment tax bill: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Checking if you need to pay Self-Assessment tax: Check if you need to send a Self Assessment tax return – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
There is extra support offered by HMRC: Get help from HMRC if you need extra support: Help you can get – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Self-Assessment helpline: Self Assessment: general enquiries – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Self-Assessment online support helpline: Self Assessment: online technical support – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Get in touch with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman about complaints about care for older people
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman can investigate individual complaints about councils, all adult social care providers, including care homes and home care agencies, and some other public service organisations.
IMPORTANT: Complaints must be made within 12 months of you knowing about the problem. If you are outside this timeframe the LGSO will NOT look at a complaint.
If you or someone you know needs to raise a complaint with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, you need to make sure you have given the organisation you are complaining about a chance to resolve the issue with you directly.
Please complete the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible with the requested information. If your inquiry is urgent please call us on +44 (0) 11746 787320