Elderly residents in Cheltenham have started a petition to try and save a bus route in their town which has been labelled by many as their lifeline. The bus in question would take them to their local community centre and without it, many residents would be unable to get there.
As reported on the ITV News website, a new route has been unveiled by Stagecoach for the ‘C bus service’ in Cheltenham. On the new route, the bus will no longer serve Springbank Way – a road where many elderly residents live and use the bus.
The bus in question also stops close to a doctor’s surgery, which is another vital place for the elderly and disabled to visit. A petition has been started by residents which has already received over 700 signatures.
Here are a few reasons why it is important that the elderly in Cheltenham can continue to get to their community centre.
How community centres help
Community centres are vitally important to the lives of the elderly and disabled as it gives them somewhere to go, and something to do. Loneliness is a huge issue here in the UK and can cause people to feel unwanted and depressed. Dementia has also been linked to loneliness in recent months.
By going to community centres such as the one in Cheltenham, the elderly and disabled can meet new people and therefore make new friends. Becoming a member of a social ‘unit’ or club can do so much for a person’s confidence and well-being.
Belonging to a group such as this can give a person a great sense of pride – along with somewhere to go on a weekly basis.
The friends that you make there can become your friends outside of the club as well. You can go round to each other’s homes, go for meals and to the shops. Having friends can make the elderly feel much safer.
Taking part in games and other activities is also good for elderly people’s health. Playing card games and puzzles keep their minds and brains working – a brilliant way of limiting the chances of getting dementia.
Lifeline at home
Ensure that help will be there for you in your home if you feel unwell or have a fall by purchasing a personal alarm from LifeConnect24. Our system has been designed specifically for the elderly, frail and disabled who may be at risk from falling.
The system comes in two parts, including the Lifeline Vi Base Unit and the MyAmie Pendant. The base unit needs to be plugged into your landline telephone socket and a power socket – with your telephone then going into the back of the base unit.
The pendant then goes around your wrist or around your neck. The choice is yours and both of the necessary attachments do come with the alarm. The device is waterproof so that you can keep wearing it in the shower or bath, although we do recommend that you do not submerge it in water for longer that 30 minutes. The small and stylish pendant also has a range of up to 100 metres so that you can wear it out in the garden – depending on the size of your garden.
If you should have a fall, or if you feel unwell, then you just need to press the red button on your pendant or base unit. This sends an alert message to our 24/7 Response Team who will respond immedietly by trying to communicate with you over the base unit loudspeaker.
Once the situation has been assessed the Response Team will then begin to call your emergency contacts. These are selected by you during the set-up process and are usually made-up of family members, close friends and neighbours.
The emergency services will also be contacted on your behalf if they are required and will be presented with your medical records by the Response Team.
You can order a personal alarm through our website or over the phone with our sales team on 0800 999 0400. Quote the discount code BLOG2016 to receive £10 off the price of a Monthly or Annual Plan.
