Issue 139

July 2020

www.bopag.org.uk

Note from the Editor

I hope you are all staying safe and keeping alert as this pandemic continues to effect our everyday lives. We have made the decision to carry on our monthly newsletter's rather than the Special Editions now as we are all getting used to the new ways life operates and this could continue for some time to come.

This month’s newsletter has some interesting articles and updates for you all to peruse including a request from Healthwatch Bucks on the back page and we have an addition to inform you about the new Test and Trace that the NHS are running and want you all to be aware of. Keep your eyes and ears alert to new scams especially in connection to the NHS and do not let them trick you.

Please do call me if you are worried about potential scams and I will always try to help.

Keep smiling, stay alert and keep safe, Paula

There have been recent press reports about how an increase in car crime across the country has largely been attributed to vulnerable keyless cars being stolen off your drive. It’s also being reported that this increase in crime rate has prompted insurance companies to increase their premiums significantly on cars using this keyless fob technology. If this is something that concerns you, Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association have suggested that keeping your keyless fob in a Defender Signal Blocker pouch can prevent it being accessed remotely by criminals. Numerous car models are now using fobs that allow keyless entry and engine starting. Unfortunately tech-savvy thieves are using laptops and other electronic devices to boost a fob’s signal from outside a property, allowing access to the vehicle quickly and silently, so leading to cars being driven away or valuables being stolen from them. The Signal Blocker protects car fobs from these signal-boosting ‘relay attacks’ whether the car is outside your house or in a public place (such as a car park), ensuring a vehicle and its contents cannot be easily accessed. The Signal Blocker pouch can also act as an innovative phone pouch that blocks all

incoming calls and alerts. The Defender Signal Blockers come in two sizes and are available from Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association: Dimensions : 126 x 80 mm £3.00 each plus £1.15 first class or £0.88 second class post total for up to 3 items 185 x 115 mm : £4.00 each plus £1.15 first class or £0.88 second class post total for up to 2 items. For greater quantities, please advise and they will provide you with the postage cost. Delivery will be by post. To order, please contact them at publicitywdnhwa@hotmail.co.uk Or Call on 01494.523649

SIGNAL BLOCKERS

Page 2

Boris Johnson confirms government will not raise income tax, National Insurance or VAT for five years Retired workers will continue to have their state pensions protected by the triple lock guarantee, according to a new commitment made by Boris Johnson recently.

The triple lock is a legal guarantee that the state pension will rise in line with the highest of average earnings growth, inflation or 2.5%. It was introduced in 2011 to ensure that the average pensioner household income increased each year regardless of their economic circumstances. During the session, Mel Stride, a Conservative Party MP, asked the Prime Minister whether he could give “categorical assurance” that the triple lock along with other manifesto pledges would be protected.

Mr Johnson responded: “We are going to meet all of our manifesto commitments. Unless I specifically tell you otherwise."

Experts have previously called for the government to scrap the triple lock to help pay for the mounting cost of financial support offered during the pandemic. The Treasury also urged the government to cut state pension triple lock to help cover the coronavirus bill, just two weeks ago. In a letter to the Chancellor it claimed that £8 billion could be saved per year by getting rid of the guarantee. The Conservative Party has also pledged to introduce a "triple tax lock," as part of its manifesto. This means ruling out any increases in the rate of income tax, National Insurance (NI) tax and VAT for five years.

The government also committed to raising the National Insurance threshold to £9,500 in 2020 with an ambition to increase it to £12,500. In the Budget 2020, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the NI threshold would increase from £8,632 to £9,500 from 6 April 2020.

The BBC announced in March that it was delaying the changes to free TV licences for older people, and we can confirm that free over 75s licences will remain valid until July 31st.

The BBC board is continuing to keep this under review. If people are currently aged 74 and turn 75 between 1 June and 31 July 2020, they can apply for a free TV licence which will expire on 31 July 2020. Older customers do not need to do anything right now as TV Licensing will be back in touch before any changes take place. Older customers receiving Pension Credit will not be required to pay, and any older customers who have already submitted their pension credit information do not need to resend this.

You may also be interested to know the Department for Work and Pensions has a new online service so pensioners can now apply for Pension Credit online, alongside their phone and postal services.

The Call centres are now open Monday to Friday: 08:30 to 18:30. But due to social distancing as a result of Covid-19 there are fewer staff than usual so it is taking us much longer to respond to calls, emails and letters than normal. Where possible we ask that customers go to the TV Licensing website where lots of helpful information is available.

TV Licensing visiting officer activity remains on hold so no visits are taking place, this is being kept under review and they will continue to be guided by Government health advice.

The Simple Payment Plan was hit by the Corona crisis. We are hopeful we will be able to start accepting new applicants from late July, once the relevant teams are up and running again, but we will of course let you know nearer the time.

Contact details are 0300 790 6165 www.tvlicensing.co.uk/

Over 75s TV Licences

Prime Minister protects state pension triple lock

Article from

Page 3

It can be hard to get past the stereotypes of homelessness and to imagine that here in the heart of the Chilterns anyone could possibly face this devastating threat. But every year, hundreds of people are made homeless in our community. At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, laws were put in place to prevent evictions, but these are due to be lifted at the start of the summer and thousands of people will be at risk of becoming homeless. In the wake of the pandemic, and the impact on jobs and wages, it is anticipated that there will be a huge increase in the amount of people who need help to keep their home. How do you stay home and stay safe if you don’t have a home? Homelessness is always life-threating, but during a health pandemic the risk is even higher. If you don’t have a home, you can’t self-isolate protecting yourself and your loved ones. Wycombe Homeless Connection is an independent charity working across

Buckinghamshire serving those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. They provide free legal advice, support and care to people who face losing their homes. They help people understand what their rights are, what help they are entitled to and how to get it. If you think you are at risk of homelessness, or know someone who is, get in touch with them today either via their web-site www.wyhoc.org.uk or you can call them on 01494 447699

You can get support and care from the British Red Cross to help you live independently at home or when you return after a stay in hospital.

If you're returning from hospital, they make sure you have everything you need for your first 24 to 72 hours back at home. They may then provide up to 12 weeks of support depending on the level of help you need. They’ll assess your needs and help you de-cide what goals you want to achieve with our help.

The support they offer varies by area. In some places, they can offer practical and emotional support including:

transport home from hospital

door-to-door transport for essential health-care journeys

help with everyday tasks (for example, picking up prescriptions and shopping)

companionship

rebuilding confidence

help arranging for bills to be paid

short-term use of a wheelchair and toilet aids.

Their volunteers receive full training to support you in meeting your goals.

You can be referred by someone else (such as a hospital, primary care trust or your GP) or you can contact your local service yourself.

Contact them via their website www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-support-at-home or call 0344 871 11 11

Get support at home

How do you stay home and stay safe if you don’t have a home?

Page 4

Puzzles and Games

Evidence suggests that puzzles and games that stimulate the mind slow down the brain's decline and improve both memory and quality of life.

Active Minds have a collection of puzzles designed for those with dementia that can be found through the link below. Their office also has a selection of puzzles that can be requested via your CareGiver, which they can loan to clients.

Baking cakes

This can be a great activity to do as it is a chance to chat and spend time together, while also providing a feeling of achievement. Recipes can be simplified and broken down into simple steps that are less overwhelming for someone living with dementia. These can be followed with gentle prompting and encouragement. The smell of a cake baking in the often stimulates positive memories too.

Scrapbooking

This is a great way for someone with dementia to create something that they can take pride in. This also increases self-esteem and helps gain confidence while reminiscing on fond memories. Any notebook can be used as well as photos of other things such as children's pictures can be added to the page.

One way of making sure those living in isolation get some physical activity into their routines is through gardening and flower arranging. This can improve strength and balance while also encouraging sensory stimulation and improving attention span. Taking care of plants and watering displays is simple but rewarding.

The NHS recommends music as a powerful tool for helping someone with dementia. It can reduce anxiety and depression as well as being a strong connector to memories due to the emotional connection people share with their favourite music. There is a link below to the BBC

Music Memories site which has a collection of music and theme tunes that help to reconnect with powerful positive memories.

Staying Connected

At the moment it is important that we try and use as many ways as possible to stay in touch, whether that’s by phone or by a video call. This really will help loved ones to stay positive. There are now lots of ways this can be done and seeing someone’s face as well as hearing their voice can help make family and friends feel closer. Your CareGiver can always help to make this happen if the technology is difficult to manage. If possible regular calls can be set up so that there is something to look forward to during the day.

Tips for starting new activities:

Put out the things you need before starting an activity; tools for gardening or ingredients for cooking. The person with dementia might like to help you with this.

Reduce distractions such as back-ground noise.

Give yourself time and take things at a slower pace if you need to.

Be reassuring if the person finds things difficult.

Useful links:

https://musicmemories.bbcrewind.co.uk/ https://www.active-minds.org/uk/jigsaw-puzzles/

Contact Home Instead via their website

https://www.homeinstead.co.uk/buckinghamshire-south

Or Call them on 01494 411268

Living well with Dementia

Page 5

The team at Animal Antiks based at Manor Farm, North Marston are taking some positive steps to support men and their family carers while lockdown is forcing their isolation at home and affecting their physical and mental wellbeing.

Thanks to some funding from the national charity, Countrymen UK, they are developing an outreach project to connect with these men and their family carers. The support is free of charge and the men and carers can choose how much or how little support they require. The support they can offer ranges from delivering free countryside-based activity packages to keeping everyone busy to sharing countryside news via regular newsletters.

Essentially, bringing their farm to you albeit at a distance. This is for you if you are a man who enjoys the countryside and outdoors or you care for someone who does, you’d like some activities to pass the time or if you are feeling the effects of lockdown and would appreciate some support. The project aims to encourage this group of people to engage and connect with their farm by;

Delivering countryside-based activities to their door e.g. bird box making, gardening projects, craft.

Delivering books and magazines from our extensive library.

Delivering farm fresh eggs from their busy hens.

Sharing news and information and telephone support.

If you are interested or have someone in mind who would appreciate this support, please do contact Emma Dearn at info@animalantiks.co.uk or call the farm office on 01296 670996 or visit their

website www.animalantiks.co.uk

A New Outreach Project Launches in North Bucks

Buckinghamshire Council have launched their new temporary ‘Request and Collect’ service at Buckinghamshire libraries, enabling library customers to borrow books for the first time since late March, in a safe, contactless way.

Customers can fill in an online form to tell library staff which books they’d like, which library they want them from, and how many. Then library staff will handpick a selection of books to match each customer and will phone to arrange a date and time to collect them. If you have no internet access you can place a request over the phone by calling them on 01296 382 415.

You can also now return borrowed books to most libraries. Library staff will ‘quarantine’ all returns in line with public health guidelines, before they’re returned to the shelves.

Customers won’t need to worry about late fines as all library loans have been automatically extended until Friday 31 July.

New library ‘Request and Collect’ service!

Contact Details for the Bucks Older People’s Action Group

Paula can be contacted on 07753 987973 or paulawatts.bopag@btinternet.com

Andy can be contacted on 01296 622122 E-mail : info@bopag.org.uk

BOPAG, c/o The Hale Farmhouse, Hale Lane, Wendover HP22 6QR

2020

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Midnight Walk rises from the ashes as Not The Midnight

Walk...

How about a sunrise stroll instead?” says, Vicky Harman, Events Manager at the Charity. “It’s still a challenge to get up really early and go for a long walk.

As the sun rises at 5am, walkers can set off to walk by themselves, with their household, or socially distanced with friends or family. They can walk the usual five miles, or ten miles, or they can walk further if they want to. As it’s starting at dawn, but it’s replacing the much-loved Midnight Walk, we’re calling it Not The Midnight Walk.”

The Walk must be a minimum of 5 miles and should start at 5am on Saturday 18th July and it can be completed in your house, garden or out-side as long as Walkers comply with Government guidelines and social distanc-ing regulations at all times.

For more information and to sign up, please visit

www.fnhospice.org.uk/notthemidnightwalk or call 01296 429975

Care homes look after many of the most vulnerable in our society. They have been living in

unprecedented times in more ways than one.

Healthwatch Bucks want people to tell them what it was it like to live in a Buckinghamshire care

home during the pandemic. Alternatively, what was it like for a relative of someone living in a local

care home or someone who works in one?

They are hoping that people will tell them what worked well, and what lessons can be

learned for the future. All answers will, of course, be kept strictly confidential and anonymised.

They have co-designed a set of questions with residents, relatives, and staff from some of

The Fremantle Trust care homes. By working

together, they hope to capture information which impacted on the care residents received during

this time.

Direct access to the survey for residents and

relatives https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HWBucks_C19

_residents

and the one for members of staff is https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HWBucks_C19

_st

For further information contact

Alison@healthwatchbucks.co.uk or call

01844 348847.