Blog

While most buyers seem to be in a rush these days at grocery stores, there are many who prefer taking their time, and enjoy a chat during the checkout process, and this isn’t just limited to older people. Hastiness is particularly evident these days with ‘scan your own’ hand machines, self-serve tills, and having your groceries thrown at you at great speed by the staff. But one supermarket chain in the Netherlands has decided to slow things down, especially for those who like socialising and chatting in queues. Back in 2019, the Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo Supermarkets, introduced its first…

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Grandparents play a crucial role in the life of their grandchildren. Nothing can replace the love and care a child receives from their grandparents. Their wisdom, and experience is invaluable to both grandchildren, and children starting their own families. But the UK’s overlooked childcare system means that grandparents often have to step in to offer substantial help, well beyond that of grandparent duties. According to research published by Age UK, two out of five of the UK’s grandparents have provided regular childcare for their grandchildren. That’s five million grandparents, of which the majority (89%) provide care on a weekly basis….

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The Senedd passed The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022 legislation in early 2022. This means speed limits on most restricted roads will reduce from 30mph to 20mph from September 2023. The change in legislation will only affect residential roads and busy pedestrian streets. Restricted roads include streets with streetlights placed no more than 200 yards apart. The Welsh Government recognises not all roads currently at 30mph will be suitable to change to 20mph, and is working with highway authorities, Trunk Road Agents (TRAs) and local authorities (responsible for county roads), to identify potential roads where speed limits will be…

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Chatting on Facebook, posting on Instagram, virtual GP appointments, ZOOM with the family, all without leaving our own homes – is this really the future? We know that more and more older people are using digital technology such as smartphones and video call apps to stay connected, but do these technologies actually help reduce loneliness and isolation. We know that social isolation and loneliness are harmful and widespread amongst older people – damaging physical and mental health, reducing the quality of life, and shortening lives. Covid-19 showed us just how crucial social connections are for our wellbeing.  When it wasn’t…

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International Day of Older Persons is a special day worldwide, to showcase the spirit and contribution of older people in a changing and challenging world. The United Nations (UN) marks this day by encouraging countries to draw attention to, and challenge, negative stereotypes, and misconceptions about older people, and to allow older people to live well and realise their potential. Of course, it’s also a chance to share memories, desires, and celebrate older people! This year’s theme – The Resilience and Contributions of Older Women The recent pandemic has worsened existing inequalities for many, but has significantly impacted the lives…

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There are many factors that contribute to long life, but according to one comprehensive scientific study, there are two powerful predictors of successful ageing. A thorough analysis published in the science journal PLoS One and the National Library of Medicine in 2019, called ‘Lifestyle predictors of successful aging: A 20-year prospective HUNT study’, investigated the effect of midlife lifestyle conditions and how they consequently led to successful ageing. “Lifestyle factors predicting successful ageing…are important for understanding healthy ageing, interventions, and preventions,” wrote the study researchers. ‘Successful Ageing’ was described as free of certain specified diseases and depression, having no physical or mental…

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“Age Friendly” describes communities that support access to services and opportunities for people as they grow older, and that promote the inclusion and participation of older adults in all aspects of life. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities is a world-wide group of communities committed to changing their societies to make them appropriate for older adults and beneficial for people of all ages. The Older People’s Commissioner wants to make Wales the best country in the world to grow older and sees the development of age-friendly communities as a key part of this goal. In…

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The Royal Welsh Band played outside Hafan Gwydir in Llanrwst on Thursday the 22nd of September.  In full uniform accompanied by their mascot, the band played for a full 15 minutes before heading off on the next stop of their Wales-wide tour. Thanks to a Canon Power Shot SX 120, we were able to take some photos.

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March the 8th is International Women’s Day, and the theme for 2021 is ‘choose to challenge’.  We should all choose to call out bias against women and inequality and choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. So, my thoughts turned to Elizabeth ‘Betsi’ Cadwaladr who very much chose to challenge. She challenged a class system that oppressed the poor, a patriarchy that condemned women to a life of subservience and ageism by working as a nurse in the Crimean War at age 65, and challenged a bureaucratic system to improve hygiene conditions on the frontlines and properly treat soldiers….

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Between June and September of 2021, ten Forums were held in Conwy County. Information packs, and a few goodies, were given to those attending. It was lovely to see many familiar faces and some new ones. There is still concern about COVID-19, and there was lots to talk about. Digital Exclusion – a shift to most information and services being available only online, leaving many older people completely out of the loop, and then further penalised by extra charges for paper bills, using cheques and so forth. Older people are cautious of doing anything online for security reasons, and don’t…

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