The Age Page

Shanks's Pony

When I see my older friends, we often talk about times past. One of the questions I sometimes ask is,

"When you were a young child, how did you get to school?"

It's never a surprise to discover that most walked, some having to travel some considerable distance, and all unaccompanied - and yet safe - a very different story from now.

My sister and I went to a country primary school in north-east Kent. We were taken to school by my father on his way to work, but, come rain or shine, in daylight or dusk, we always came home on foot - and on our own. Our journey took us past cherry orchards and a deep chalk pit, and along the footpath at the edge of a large wheat field. We'd then cross a major A road to a recreation ground - oh the joys of the swings in summertime... and still had a further half a mile or so to trudge on the back roads.

We were completely safe, even if the odd school boy attempted to waylay or tease us. It was there I developed Pointless Obsessive Counting - how many steps until the car I can hear behind me, reaches me; how many steps to the next lamp post , and so on. Sometimes, I'm ashamed to say that I still find myself doing it.

How did you get to school as a small child?

I'd really like to include your experiences in the blog too, so why not send them to me?

Ken's idea

Just an idea… M.O.P.S. (Mothers Own Personal Services)

Create a non-profit company to provide services to the aging population staff staffed by younger aging people (over 60s +).

The opportunity would be that people who are physically able and on a pension could provide services to older people who are not able and at the same time supplement their income as well have a social network.

I like the principle of the aging population becoming self sustaining and avoiding the rip-offs of these outsourced social services.

Just an idea…

Denise's idea 4

How much does a chiropodist cost?
Bet it's more than a beautician...couldn't the gov outsource to all these local nail centres - for the more basic nail cutting etc.

In London, there seems to be one around every corner - this would be a great treat for some old folks and would speed up the waiting list for the less medical care - so preventing good feet from going bad...

Henri's idea

A good idea this school stuff.
The interactive ideas are great...having worked as a teacher I know that kids can respond well to outsiders and real- life situations away from the normal curriculum.

The only issue I foresee is getting the time to allow this to happen, and who would implement it in the school. Teachers are so stretched as it is teaching what they have to teach, plan, mark, jump through hoops etc. I think the History lessons would be the most obvious and engaging route for kids, and one that could more easily be managed. Hearing stories about the war, or the Slave Trade, or life as a First Generation refugee - these could all come so much more to life if from the mouths of a real life (old) person.

There could be problems with craft related demonstrations and Health and Safety issues...but I know we had an ancient dust- gathering lathe in our school workshop and kids always asked me "Miss Miss, what's that for?"

Now, if I had just had a nice little old craftsman, (more likely a he than she) there who would have showed us- for half an hour - what that lathe could do! How empowering would that be! Kinds of makes me wish I was still teaching and could find that man. He must be out there. Any one know any old wood turners in West Sussex who I could put forward?

Michael's idea

It might be a good idea if local authorities worked with schools to arrange conducted tours of care homes so that the young and old could interact. It would do a power of good for everyone.

Denise's idea 3

Sarah,
School is the right place to start - but one could be more entrepreneurial (Tory) about it. I like the share a skill idea - that could work with business people who want to learn a craft or lunchtime chat sessions - go and eat your sarnie with a local oldie rather than just reading the Mail in Prets...
There are lots of inner city old people as well as out in the suburbs and sticks... Perhaps the Tories could start it with David having lunchtime sessions with some retired MPs/Prime Ministers etc - good PR stunt for him!

Denise's idea 2

I just read about an agency in Berlin called 'rent a granny'. A retired person (women only I'm afraid) give their services for free or for a small payment to help out single parents - but it could be anyone. The article talks about how that person often gets involved in the family - and some real grandparents can get jealous. It would be great if retired people could help younger people out like this - as it's often the case that parents aren't close by to help their own children etc - then the opportunities for those younger people being involved and supportive would be much greater.

Denise's idea 1

If so many people have to sell their homes to afford this appalling care - perhaps an idea to investigate would be a commune type accommodation for old people - or entire families - so younger carers could have a break every so often - and people wouldn't be so islolated. Also, other people's families are often a lot more appealing than your own - so we could look after other people's relatives - knowing our own were cared for well without the old battles and family bickering!

Sometimes "No" means a better offer...

My tiny, 97 year old friend lives locally on the first floor of a small terrraced house. She is a widow and has no immediate family, so she is understandably lonely. She is frail but can still walk reasonably well. Her eyesight is poor, her hearing worse. She's the one who was robbed by a fake water meter man just before Christmas last year.

She has no help other than a cleaner provided for the last three or four years by the local council, who came once a fortnight. They had no conversation, but at least the heavy work got done.

Remaining independent through sheer force of will, she carries her weekly shopping up the stairs, one article at a time. She reports that shopping in the local shopping mall is her only real social outing in the week, apart from having tea with another elderly friend of hers around the corner on Tuesday afternoons. We see one another for an afternoon once a month and we speak on the phone in between.

In May 2006, the Conservatives won the local election here. In an attempt to offer a near-meaningless reduction in council tax, one of the first things they did was to reduce the budget for spending on the elderly. Removing wardens from sheltered accommodation was their first gift to the older people of this borough.

Since then, they have privatisied ancillary services, including cleaning. A couple of weeks ago, my friend was visited by an assessor from one of these companies, who spent some time with her filling in sheafs of forms about her needs. Subsequently, she received notification that she did not qualify.

Well, lucky for her is what I say.
Why?
Because they wanted £19 an hour for the privilege. I can get her a really good cleaner who I know, for half that. And this will be someone who will feel for her, socialise with her and give her some real care into the bargain.
Lucky her, eh?