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COVID-19 Older People

Older people

Please find below some information and resources specifically for older people including where to get help during COVID-19, looking after your health and wellbeing at home and information about scams.

Older people

Age Friendly Factsheets

Age Friendly Nottingham are producing a series of factsheets under different topics to support older people, please click on the links below to access them.

Looking After Your Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing at Home

We are all following social distancing guidance but we know that many of our older readers will be self-isolating because of your existing health conditions. It’s a worrying time for everyone and it is perfectly natural to feel more anxious than usual. In addition to the coronavirus guidance on washing your hands often and avoiding touching your face, the following are a few tips to help you stay well while you're at home:

  • Stay in touch with family and friends over the phone or on social media.
  • Avoid watching too much news. Also be aware that there is a lot of ‘fake’ news and myths about coronavirus out there (see the article below on ‘Beware False Information).
  • If you need to talk, there is also The Silver Line - a free, helpline for people aged 55+ that is available 24 hours a day. Telephone 0800 4 70 80 90. Or visit the ASKLiON Mental Health page. 
  • If you need practical help, ask for it – family, friends or neighbours may be able to help with shopping, picking up prescriptions or running errands. For those self-isolating without support, phone the Nottingham Customer Hub on 0115 915 5555.
  • If you need advice, Age UK run an advice line – phone 0800 678 1602.
  • Try to keep physically active. If you are not able to walk or go in the garden, there are lots of opportunities to join either on the radio, the computer or the television.
  • Feeling creative? Have you checked out Artspeak? This Nottingham based initiative is placing recommending different project for you to join on their website each day.
  • Stay safe – see the advice below about avoiding scams.

Keeping fit and active

Active Notts have produced a Free booklet – Stay Active at Home, which provides ideas and guidance on how to stay active at home.

Here are a few other handy tips to help you improve your fitness and wellbeing and build exercises into your day:

Enjoy outdoor activities safely in Nottingham

Depending on current restrictions' people in Nottingham have been able to enjoy the numerous and wide-ranging outdoor activities our city has to offer.

If you are planning a trip to your local park, all the latest information can be found here Nottingham Parks and Open Spaces.

Mental Health

If you or a member of your family have any mental health worries please look at our mental health support page for information on local services.

Also, for ease of reference, a Nottingham and Nottinghamshire booklet has been produced to help you find out what services are available locally, please see below, one has been designed to be viewed online and one is best for printing out.

Things To Do Online

Libraries

Librarians been busy finding more ways to bring your library to you online.

As well as the eBooks, eMagazines, eNewspapers and e-reference books you can read at home, they've been searching for the right places for you to go online, making it easier to find ways for you and your family to get through this.

They've also got their talented library staff to record videos of songs and story times. There’ll be more virtual library fun coming soon. To make sure you don’t miss them why not sign up to their newsletter and follow their Facebook page.

For more information click here.

Learning Opportunities

There are a vast number of free online learning opportunities, some of which lead to a certificate of achievement.  Participating in such courses gives you free access to specialists in their subject and other resources.

There are short courses on a wide range of subjects including mental health, art, music, science, geography and much more.

Other Information

Here are some other virtual alternatives now available to you:

The Home Library Service

The Home Library Service is now able to accept new customers! They deliver books, CDs and DVDs to customers of any age who live within the City boundary and aren’t able to get to the library themselves, whether through mobility issues, health concerns or caring responsibilities. They are able to provide large and standard print books, plus audiobooks and books in a range of languages.

To register your interest: email hls@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or ring Aspley Library on 0115 9152806.

Money Worries

Please visit the ASKLiON Money page for support

For information on food banks and places to get free or low cost food and meals please visit the Food section on ASKLiON.

Free & Cheap Food

Visit the ASKLiON food page for information on foodbanks, community meals and low cost food. 

Scams and False Information

There are a few pieces of information to help you, specifically:

Please view our dedicated page on scams to find out more.

Feeling Lonely?

The Silver Line is a free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people. It’s open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, so if you are 55 or over, call for a cheerful chat on 0800 470 80 90.

There are also befriending groups in local communities such as Good Companions in Clifton. If you would like to receive regular contact with one of their phone befrienders, or to make a referral for an older relative or neighbour to receive support or a newsletter,  then contact Good Companions on (0115) 878 6182 or email info@goodcompanions.org.

Please also look at our Feeling Lonely section on the ASKLiON website for a full list of organisations offering activities and support.

Supporting People with Dementia

ASKLiON Dementia Page

Visit the ASKLiON dementia page for information, support and social activities for those with dementia and carers.

Supporting People with Dementia in Your Community

Living with dementia at any time brings challenges for those with the condition and the people close to them. Many face stigma and isolation in everyday life and coronavirus (COVID-19) is making things much harder. Now more than ever, it is important that they get the help and support they need.

Sometimes people don’t offer help because they do not know what to do, so the Alzheimer’s Society has produced a free guide Coronavirus: how you can support people in your community’

NHS Dementia Guidance

Dementia wellbeing in the COVID-19 pandemic - NHS guidance to support you during coronavirus.

Bereavement Support in Nottingham

If you need someone to speak to or to find local support services, please visit the ASKLiON Mental Health page.

TV licences for the over 75's

On 1 August 2020, the BBC scrapped the free TV licence for older people – a licence is needed to watch live TV on any channel. Only those who are over the age of 74, and receive Pension Credit will be eligible for the free licence.

In Nottingham, we know that thousands of older residents are entitled to Pension Credit (and consequently a free TV licence) but have not applied for it.

You can apply for Pension Credit online, by phone or by submitting a paper application.

For other benefits please visit the ASKLiON money page.

Nottingham Audiology Services

Nottingham Audiology Services are trying to make sure all their patients with hearing aids can use them during this time. Although they cannot see people in appointments, they can be contacted by email at audiology@nuh.nhs.uk or by telephone on 0115 9194488.

They are posting out batteries and spares and delivering replacement hearing aids where needed. Patients or family members can get in touch to request help, and for the time being the postage will be paid by the service.

British Red Cross Mobility Aids Service

The British Red Cross are still able to offer the short term hire of wheelchairs and commodes from their Nottingham Office at Phoenix Park, but in the current circumstances it is by appointment only.

Please ring 0115 852 8029 to discuss the collection (or delivery) of equipment on short term hire.

If your equipment has been supplied by the Red Cross on behalf of the NHS, for example hospital beds, or toileting equipment, then the number for Community Equipment Services is 0345 127 2911.

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