Independent Age

is a unique and growing charity,providing information, advice and support for thousands of older people across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Independent Age has recently merged with two other older people's charities, Counsel and Care and Universal Beneficent Society. Find out more about the merger here.

Winter Wise >

Download Winter Wise, full of useful tips to see older people through the winter

Latest News >

Open letter to Prime Minister on social care reform

Read the Care and Support Alliance's letter to the PM on social care reform

Publications >

Get your free copy of the Wise Guide, filled with useful advice for over-65s

Recent Tweets

...but a good week, or lucky escape, for Mr Holder who was rescued by his Labradoodle after falling down a ravine: http://t.co/Mqj2JsC2
Good week/bad week: bad week for pensioners’ finances as @age_uk reveals 4.5 million can only just afford the basics...
RT @PensionerOnline: Paul Burstow claims the the social care system is "not in crisis". Many of our members disagree
Mail: Report by NHS Info. Centre shows no. of patients spending more than 4hrs in casualty has jumped 40% in a year: http://t.co/PJZZryaw
Telegraph: Hospitals should check every elderly patient for signs of neglect on admission http://t.co/2YuTkUeZ
Dementia costs the economy double that of cancer, but it receives only 1/6 of the research support. Time for change? http://t.co/9pV136eY
Peter Hay ; £1bn gap in social care funding projected to double #laterlife12
the Ford Focus was designed with older people in mind - higher seats/room for a wheelchair in boot but never marketed as such #laterlife12
Over fifties own 80% of wealth, but marketing aimed at them is only accounts for 10% #laterlife12
JRF conclude that there's potential in equity release but local authorities perhaps not best placed to offer it. Self funders? #laterlife12
Time for heads to come out of the sand. Read our response to Health Select Committee’s report on public expenditure: http://t.co/Mqj2JsC2
Telegraph: Survey finds councils are cutting social care budgets by ~ 6.6% while raising charges for services: http://t.co/nWTmHhci
Interesting piece on the social fund from Polly Toynbee in today’s Guardian: http://t.co/hnTpAPnK
Love the Times (££) story about 'yarnbombing grannies'- they leave knitted objects in public places http://t.co/kHhPj9mW
...& maybe not such a good one for lone older homeowners either, who the state plans to “help downsize.” More here: http://t.co/Mqj2JsC2
...But a bad week for Burstow who denied a funding gap in the social care system...
Good week/bad week: good week for social care as cross-party talks on care funding finally began...
Telegraph: Workers will lose £7bn if inflation-linked pensions are scrapped http://t.co/tO9CjLmk
Scientists say they can predict whether someone will live to 100 with 85% accuracy, in Telegraph & Mail today: http://t.co/6zYyMG4H
Feeling the chill again? Don’t forget our Winter Wise is full of tips to help you through the cold weather: http://t.co/hP90lx78

Stories

Gladys's story

Gladys, is 89 years old and lives in a remote cottage in Yorkshire. Although she has a free bus pass, there are no local buses into town for her to buy groceries.

This makes her feel very isolated, and in addition to the practical problems of buying food, she has felt increasingly sad and lonely since her husband died last December.

Dilnot-o-meter

Latest Dilnot-o-meter blog

We've uprated our Dilnot-o-meter to looking good after cross-party talks began this week, with the aim of reaching a consensus on care funding. The talks have been a long time a-coming and there is no guarantee they will lead anywhere. But the fact that they are taking place at all represents a major breakthrough. Read our latest blog and join the discussion here.

Not sure what any of this is about? Find out more

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