Age and sleep

5th April 2023

Why does sleep change as we get older?

Sleep is an essential part of our health, just as diet and exercise are, but it is often overlooked. This could be because sleep is relatively new in terms of research and we don’t fully understand it. However, while older adults still need a similar amount of sleep to all adults, it has been found that with age, you go to sleep earlier and wake up earlier. This could be biological or possibly being more sensitive to light in the morning.

Our bodies naturally produce melatonin – the sleep hormone. Darkness tells the body to produce it so that you can fall asleep and light tells your body to stop producing it so that you can wake up. This is why it is possible older adults to wake earlier if more sensitive to light.

As you age, there are many reasons why you may struggle with sleep. These include:

• Chronic illnesses

• Medications

• Less exercise

• Less exposure to daylight

• Less social activities

Sleep is imperative to health as lack of it can affect moods, behaviours, memory, mental health and so on. The Sleep Charity has some top tips to help you get a good night’s sleep:

• Keep a regular sleep/wake schedule
• Get out into natural light as soon as is practical in the morning, preferably around the same time every day
• Engage in daytime exercise
• Avoid stimulants that contain caffeine 8 hours before bedtime
• Don’t go to bed full, hungry or thirsty
• Reduce electronic use before bedtime and avoid electronic use in the bedroom
• Don’t use alcohol to sleep
• Ensure the bedroom is cool, dark and quiet before bed
• Ensure that bedroom clocks are not visible
• Avoid nicotine before bed

If you’re really struggling with sleep, then call the National Sleep Helpline on 03303 530 541

It’s Flu Season – Are You Vaccinated? AGE UK explains what you need to do!

14th October 2022

Source: ageuk

Dr Ranj joins AGE UK in urging older people to protect their health by having an autumn COVID-19 booster and a flu jab as soon as they are offered

Dr Ranj, NHS Doctor, BAFTA award-winning TV presenter, author and columnist, has joined Age UK in urging older people to do all they can to stay well this autumn and winter by making sure they have a COVID-19 booster and flu vaccination, when it becomes available to them.

For those eligible, getting a COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine is one of the most important things an older person can do to protect their health. Older people and those with particular health conditions are most at risk from the serious impacts of flu and COVID-19 so it is vital that older people protect themselves as soon as they can, when the NHS contacts them. Cases of flu during the last two years were unusually low due to the pandemic restrictions[i] but experts expect flu to return as a significant risk this winter.

Concerns that more people may be likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity during the pandemic[ii], along with worsening flu infection rates in the southern hemisphere, have prompted NHS guidance for everyone aged 50+ to be offered a further dose of COVID-19 booster and a flu jab this autumn to increase protection. Unpaid carers, residents of older adult care homes, health and social care staff and household contacts of people with weakened immune system are also eligible for flu and COVID-19 booster vaccinations. In addition, those aged under 50 with particular health conditions are also eligible. People who are most at risk will generally be invited first, followed by all others.

Flu infection rates in Australia rose sharply in May – earlier in the season than usually expected – and were higher than the five-year average during their autumn and early winter[iii]. The Australian flu season is a key resource because it helps us to predict what will happen during the winter months in the UK. This year’s Australian data suggest that we may also see rises in flu infection rates earlier than usual in the UK this year. This makes it vital that older people protect themselves by having the vaccinations that are offered to them as soon as they can.

Dr Ranj Singh, said: “Sadly this year it seems that we may be expecting a particular nasty flu strain and even though it may feel like coronavirus has gone away to a certain degree I would still encourage all older people to get both their COVID-19 and flu vaccine booster, as soon as they can. It is still really important. Both those vaccinations need topping up to be most effective, especially as we move into autumn and winter and viruses start to thrive again.   

“We know that catching the flu and COVID-19 viruses at the same time can be really dangerous for vulnerable people, but the simple fact is that being vaccinated helps prevent hospitalisation and serious illnesses, which is why I am supporting Age UK in their call for all older people to have both vaccinations when they are called, messaged or written to by the NHS.”

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK said: “Speaking as someone who has already had the double jab, because my GP surgery was in the vanguard, my advice to older people is please do take up the offer of the COVID-19 booster and a flu jab when it comes your way. Millions of older people took the opportunity of having the spring booster, so we are urging everyone to do the same this autumn[iv]. It’s perfectly safe to have them together, and often more convenient too – I chose to do it that way so I wouldn’t have to go back. However, you are offered the choice of having them singly or together when you attend. So, whenever you are called for vaccination please do accept – you’ll be doing yourself some good and helping to protect everyone else you come into contact with too.

“Flu vaccines help protect against the main types of flu viruses. There’s still a chance we might get flu even after vaccination but, if we do, the symptoms are likely to be milder and should not last as long. Having the flu vaccine will also reduce the chances of us spreading the virus to others who may be more at risk of serious problems than we are, so it’s also a socially responsible thing to do.

“Vaccinations are the best defence we have against having our health badly undermined this winter, so we cannot overstate how important it is that everyone who is eligible actually receives them. With all the worries about energy prices it’s more important than ever to stay fit and well this year, and getting these vaccinations will help.”

Each year on average 11,000 people in England die of influenza[v] and in 2017/18 before the COVID-19 pandemic, Public Health England estimated that figure reached a staggering 22,000 deaths,[vi] the highest death toll in recent years.  Nearly 2,000 deaths that year which involved influenza were among those aged 60 and over.

Notes

The NHS will contact you by text message or letter when it is your turn to get an autumn booster and will generally be inviting the oldest and highest risk groups first which will start in early September– it’s important to book in as quickly as possible when invited.

Even if you haven’t already had a first or second COVID-19 vaccination you will still be able to get vaccinated, even when the COVID-19 autumn booster programme begins.

For further information about the vaccinations visit
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination or call 119.

[i] Last winter the flu vaccination uptake was the highest it had ever been at 82.30% among those 65 and over (compared to 80.90% in 2020 to 2021). 

[ii] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/

[iii] Figure 4: https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-surveil-ozflu-flucurr.htm

[iv] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/almost-80-of-eligible-over-75s-receive-spring-booster

[v] Flu is a serious condition that kills, on average, 11,000 people in England each year and hospitalises many more. Adults at high risk from flu are also most at risk from COVID-19. The free vaccine is more important than ever to help protect the nation from a double threat this winter.

[vi] Public Health England estimated that over the 2017/18 flu season, there were around 22,000 deaths associated with flu in England. This was one of the highest flu death tolls in recent years, but is still significantly lower than the current death toll from Covid

It’s Disability Pride Month!

7th July 2022

Here at StairliftRecycling.co.uk HQ, we’re celebrating the global Disability Pride Month by raising awareness and recognising disabilities as an identity.

About 15% of the population have a disability and this awareness month – which has been celebrated since July 1990 – provides a platform for the disabled community to speak out and share their stories.

As a first-world, forward-thinking nation, we have made strides to promote equality and accessibility for all but there’s still so much work to be done. There is still so much education needed. The disabled community is so vast and diverse, each individual story is so different – it is time to accept, honour and celebrate each person’s uniqueness. It is what makes the human race as rich and resilient as it is.

Everyone deserves to be treated with respect regardless of class, race, gender, age, sexuality and needs. We all have a role to play in ensuring equality happens. It starts at home. Education; learning to understand someone’s situation and being mindful; not judging others. These simple steps can lead to a kinder and more accepting world.

On a larger scale, continuing to support lobbying bodies and organisations providing essential services for those with disabilities is essential to ensure we create a world where everyone’s uniqueness is celebrated.

#proudtobedifferent #disabilitypridemonth

World Elder Abuse Day 2022

16th June 2022

Yesterday, on the 15th of June, the world came together for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day helping to raise awareness of elder abuse – something that affects nearly all older people at some point which is just heartbreaking.

The awareness day is celebrated on the same date every year and provides an opportunity for our communities to better understand abuse and neglect of the elderly.

According to Age Uk, last year one in six older people suffered some form of abuse with as many as two-thirds of people with dementia being abused. 

The charity reported that only 4% of all abuse gets reported and often older people suffer in silence, not wanting to get their abuser into trouble. What we found quite frightening is the abuser is often in a position of trust.

We can all do our bit to help this cause – especially if you have elderly relatives or friends. It’s important to always let them know there is someone there to talk to and encourage them to speak out if they ever find themselves in an abusive situation or environment. There is also plenty of online resources and charity support if you want to know how you can help a loved one.

Until next year’s event please continue to be mindful and support anyone you feel is going through such an awful situation.

Moving into a house with a stairlift

14th April 2022

We’re moving into a house with a stairlift and don’t know how to get rid of it?

The property market is booming and with the pandemic causing a huge shift in people working from home, there has been a rise in people moving from modern city houses and apartments into larger properties in the suburbs and countryside. Many of these country homes need renovations and refurbishments and often come with fixtures and fittings that need removing. One of the most common questions we get asked is from those moving into a house with a stairlift and how they get rid of it environmentally and economically friendly.

Like many old large appliances and home items, there isn’t much choice other than to skip or tip and that is why we founded stairliftrecycling.co.uk! Most unused stairlifts can be reused, fixed or broken up for parts – so why cause more landfill when we can refurbish them and sell them at a much lower price than brand new ones – making them much more accessible for those in need but have low budgets.

We remove, recondition and recycle unwanted stairlifts and mobility scooters. In most cases free of charge. The only times we would charge is if a straight stairlift is more than seven years old and a curved stairlift is more than three years old. In this case,  we would charge £132 plus VAT for the curved stairlift (chairlift) removal and £115 plus VAT for the straight stairlift removal.

So if you have or are moving into a house and want a stairlift removing, get in touch!

Do you need to recycle your stairlift?

16th February 2022

Finding someone to get rid of a stairlift, whether you’ve moved into a new house or replacing an old one, can be difficult. But look no further – here, at Stairlift Recycling, we can deal with that for you. 

As a stairlift company, it was something we were regularly asked. And so, we decided it was a much-needed service that we had to offer. Our Stairlift Recycling and Mobility Scooter Recycling Scheme operates across most of the UK (other than North Scotland, mid-Wales, Cornwall, and Devon).

We are partnered with large stairlift (sometimes called chairlift) reconditioners and installers. Not only does it provide a valuable service to the community but also the environment – we are constantly looking at ways to improve our green credentials. For example, we support the COT Code of Ethics regarding sustainability. Wherever possible we will recondition and refurbish the stairlifts and mobility scooters.  We then make them available for purchase to the general public – as good as new.  They are generally half the price or less than purchasing them brand new. 

We remove, recondition and recycle unwanted stairlifts and mobility scooters. In most cases free of charge. The only times we would charge is if a straight stairlift is more than seven years old and a curved stairlift is more than three years old. In this case,  we would charge £132 plus VAT for the curved stairlift (chairlift) removal and £115 plus VAT for the straight stairlift removal.

 Second-hand stairlifts and second-hand mobility scooters.

If you are looking to purchase a second-hand stairlift or second-hand mobility scooter, just click on the correct button, fill the form in and we will be happy to provide a quote to you.  Remember that, although they are second-hand, they look as good as new and come with a 12-month warranty! 

For stairlifts or mobility scooters that are not able to be reconditioned, we will place re-usable parts into stock.  We then make these parts available for repairs. This provides an excellent service to the community as many of the stairlifts or mobility scooters. The Stairlift Recycling Mobility Scooter Recycling scheme helps the market in providing parts for obsolete stairlifts and mobility scooters. We will keep the price of the parts at an affordable level for all.

Stairlifts

We remove, recondition, refurbish, recycle, sell, service, and maintain all makes of curved or straight stairlifts.  This includes Acorn, Stannah, Platinum, Minivator, Handicare, Brooks plus many others.  If you want to buy a stairlift fill out the relevant form. We’ll provide a quotation after a free survey by one of our engineers.

Sainsbury’s Trials Slow Shopping For Elderly

31st August 2016

Sainsbury’s in Gosforth (Newcastle) has announced this week that it is trialling an in-store ‘slow shopping afternoon’.

What is a slow shopping afternoon?

The idea introduced by the Gosforth store is that every Tuesday between 1pm-3pm there will be members of staff from Sainsbury’s at the entrance ready to offer assistance to those that require it. They will guide the customer around the store to ensure they find everything they need and can manage ok. They will encourage them to take their time and not feel pressured or rushed. The store will also place chairs at the end of the aisles for those who need to rest and sit down during their shop.

What do you think?

This is certainly a concept we would jump on board with. The elderly generation is a growing one and we believe that this is a forward-thinking initiative to cater for this market. Working with the elderly market on a daily basis we know how intimidating heading out to the shops can be for them. Anywhere that is crowded or busy can be very daunting.

Providing a service such as this ‘slow shopping afternoon’ will give the elderly peace of mind that they can take their time without being afraid of getting in people’s way, getting tired and needing to rest or not being able to get everything they need because they ‘can’t reach’ or ‘too scared to ask’.

Although this is only one store trialling it at the moment, we hope to see this develop further. What do you think? Why not discuss this further on our twitter page @stairliftREC

Moving To A Care Home and Your Stairlift

6th April 2016

If you or a loved are in the process of moving to a care home, it can be an emotional time.

There’s lots of things to take into consideration but it also offers that peace of mind that you or your loved one will have the support and care needed for a comfortable life.

Taking personal possessions will help to make the new surroundings seem more familiar and homely. Things such as photographs, pictures, pieces of furniture, bedding etc. Have a think about what will really make you feel at home. It’s then advised to decorate the room to your personal preference if possible.

Ensuring the carers and team and the care home understand the person is extremely important. If your loved one is moving into a home, it’s advised that you prepare their ‘story’ so that the staff can engage and start conversations with topics that are familiar to them. Photo albums are a great tool to provide a focal point for starting conversations. Try and provide the care home with these and as much information about your family member as possible. It’s also an idea to give favourite food suggestions to the care home kitchen staff.

There will be lots of organisation needed in sorting legalities and paperwork. There will be a number of people to inform including banks, utilities, medical and health, councils and many more. There will also be the property in which the person lived to sort. Whether this is sold, rented or left empty, if there is a stairlift within, often or not the family are unsure of what to do with it. This is a situation we’re often told about and understand that it’s a stressful time and we want to make this as easy as possible. If you want a stairlift removing, then get in touch and speak to an advisor. 01535 612167

 

 

Loneliness is a major UK health concern

28th January 2016

This week it’s been reported in the national news that council chiefs are warning that loneliness should be seen as a public health concern. It was reported that more than half of 75 year olds in the UK live alone. And, last year Britain was dubbed the ‘loneliness capital of Europe’.

On the flip side to the problem is that those suffering often won’t admit they are lonely. As recent research released by Churchill Retirement Living found, over half of 60 year olds believe there is a stigma attached to admitting to being lonely. One in four felt ‘too ashamed’ to admit they are lonely and others felt they would be too much of a burden if they did need help. This figure rose to 40% for those people who are widowed.

 

There are major health problems that stem from loneliness such as increasing the risk of high blood pressure and increased chance of developing dementia which is why there is now a call to put UK loneliness at the top of the agenda.

As a result, new guidelines have been published for councils and a scheme taking place in Rotherham, Yorkshire was highlighted. The scheme involves GPs identifying where people are at risk. A volunteer will then visit them to refer the correct community services.

Town hall chiefs published new guidance for councils and highlighted a scheme in Rotherham, Yorkshire, where people at risk are identified by GPs. They are then visited by volunteers who put them in touch with community services. It has cut in-patient admissions by 21 per cent and A&E visits by 20 per cent.

Here at Stairlift Recycling, we’re pleased to hear that this is now being brought under the spotlight and that more is being done to combat loneliness among the elderly in the UK.

 

The OT Show

1st December 2015

Last week we attended The OT Show – one of the industry’s biggest exhibitions. It was great to meet so many new contacts who need our services.

We’re now bringing a much needed recycling service to more and more people thanks to contacts such as occupational therapists, councils and charities and more.

Here is some of the team at the event: