Health and Wellbeing Resources
Helpful Information and Video Links to Try at Home.
ORGANISATIONS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Age Alliance Wales
Welsh Government funded alliance of “National voluntary organisations working together with, and for, older people in Wales”.
This website includes a list with links for up to 25 organisational websites addressing many different areas helping older people in Wales.
Regional Coverage: WALES
1) Age Alliance Wales WEBSITE:www.agealliancewales.org.uk
Age UK
Comprehensive information, advisory, care and befriending services for older people, also advice and information on day-to-day subjects such as work, learning, health matters, wellbeing, money and legal questions.
Also see specific contact information for Age Cymru, Age NI and Age Scotland.
Regional Coverage: UK
UK:
1) Age UK FREE ADVICE LINE: 0800 678 1602
2) WEBSITE: www.ageuk.org.uk
Cymru:
3) Age Cymru GENERAL LINE: 029 2043 1555
4) Age Cymru WEBSITE: www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/
5) Age Cymru ADVICE LINE: (local rate charge): 0300 303 44 98
6) Age Cymru ADVICE EMAIL: advice@agecymru.org.uk
7) Age Cymru GENERAL ENQUIRIES LINE: 029 2043 1555
8) Age Cymru GENERAL ENQUIRIES EMAIL: enquiries@agecymru.org.uk
Northern Ireland:
9) Age NI ADVICE AND INFORMATION FREEPHONE LINE: 0808 808 7575
10) Age NI WEBSITE: www.ageuk.org.uk/northern-ireland/
11) Age NI ADVICE EMAIL: advice@ageni.org
Scotland:
12) Age Scotland FREE ADVICE, HELP AND FRIENDSHIP LINE: 0800 12 44 222
13) Age Scotland WEBSITE: www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/
Alzheimer’s Research UK
The UK’s leading dementia research charity that also provides information, support and advice about the different types of dementia.
The website lists organisations to contact for people with dementia, carers, older people and various other specialist support services under the tab "Support for people affected by dementia".
Another tab, "A quick guide to dementia", is available in English + 8 additional language translations. They also have a phone and email service answering questions you might have about dementia, dementia research and taking part in research.
Regional Coverage: UK
1) TELEPHONE: 0300 111 5111 (9-5pm Monday to Friday)
2) WEBSITE: www.alzheimersresearchuk.org
3) EMAIL: infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org
Alzheimer Scotland (also see NDCAN Below)
Scotland's leading organisation for people with dementia and their carers.
Regional Coverage: SCOTLAND
1) 24 hour FREEPHONE DEMENTIA HELPLINE: 0808 808 3000
2) WEBSITE: www.alzscot.org
3) EMAIL: helpline@alzscot.org
National Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN)
Part of Alzheimer Scotland, NDCAN is a national campaigning and awareness raising group for carers of people with dementia.
Information and help also available for carers of people with dementia covering many areas some of which include helping each other, encouragement, sharing strategies, experiences and tips, and where to ask for help.
Membership is free.
Regional Coverage: SCOTLAND
1) 24 hour FREEPHONE HELPLINE: 0808 808 3000
2) WEBSITE: www.alzscot.org/ndcan
3) TWITTER: @NDCAN_Scotland
Alzheimer’s Society
Advice, support and information about all types of dementia for people living with dementia, also local Alzheimer’s society offices and Talking Point online community helping people share experiences and advice.
Welsh language publications available.
Dementia NI offers dementia training, education, support and bringing people with dementia together for mutual support. (Contact number is listed at 9 of this Alzheimer’s Society section).
Regional Coverage: ENGLAND, WALES and NORTHERN IRELAND
1) National Dementia HELPLINE: 0300 222 1122
2) WEBSITE: www.alzheimers.org.uk
3) Dementia CONNECT SUPPORT LINE (for personalised information, support and advice): 0333 150 3456
4) CUSTOMER CARE TEAM LINE: 0330 333 0804
Wales:
5) Wales Dementia HELPLINE: 0808 808 2235
6) Welsh/CYMRAEG SPEAKING SUPPORT LINE: 03300 947 400
Northern Ireland:
7) Northern Ireland National HELPLINE: 0300 222 1122
8) Northern Ireland SWITCHBOARD: 028 9066 4100
9) Dementia NI TELEPHONE: 028 9693 1555
10) Northern Ireland EMAIL: nir.@alzheimers.org.uk
Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland
Non-profit organisation providing dementia services and support throughout Ireland.
Regional Coverage: REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
1) National HELPLINE: 1800 341 341
2) WEBSITE: www.alzheimer.ie
British Red Cross
The British Red Cross offers a wide range of support services to help with loneliness, assisting and advising with financial concerns, home support, refugee and asylum seekers, missing family members, UK victims of terrorism overseas, wheelchairs and toiletry equipment and preparing for emergencies.
In some parts of the UK the ‘get support at home’ service is available for people returning home after being discharged from hospital for the first 24-72 hours, with possible extended support depending on individual needs. This can include transportation to and from medical appointments, help with collecting shopping and medication, companionship, temporary free use of wheelchairs and some toiletry facilities.
In a few areas of the UK there is also a service offering support to carers.
The British Red Cross also helps people feeling lonely to get in touch with their local community and meet new people, and will continue to assist personal progress for a period of 3 months ensuring they have sufficient knowledge to carry on moving forward independently.
The free coronavirus support line is available for people to call for any number of reasons, ranging from loneliness to needing practical help.
Regional Coverage: UK and WORLDWIDE
1) British Red Cross FREE HELPLINE (more than 200 language translations available): 0808 196 3651
1) WEBSITE: www.redcross.org.uk
2) WEBSITE SUPPORT AT HOME PAGE (also available in Welsh): www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-support-at-home
3) Free CORONAVIRUS SUPPORT LINE: 0808 196 3651
4) HIRE A WHEELCHAIR LINE: 0300 456 194
5) EMAIL: contactus@redcross.org.uk
Care Information Scotland
NHS online chatline and website service providing information for carers of adults, people who think they might need care, or people who are planning personal care for their own future.
Regional Coverage: SCOTLAND
1) Care Information Scotland HELPLINE: 0800 011 3200
2) WEBSITE: www.careinfoscotland.scot
3) NHS LINK to WEBSITE: www.nhs24.scot/our-services/care-information-scotland/
The Carers Trust
Regional Coverage: UK
Comprehensive online information offering help, advice and assistance with practical support for all unpaid carers in the UK.
Services can range from emotional to financial support and advice, to temporary care and sitting services.
1) Carers Trust Head Office TELEPHONE: 0300 772 9600
2) Carers Trust WEBSITE: www.carers.org
3) General Enquiries EMAIL: info@carers.org
Scotland:
4) Carers Trust SCOTLAND TELEPHONE: 0300 772 7701
5) EMAIL: scotland@carers.org
Wales:
6) Carers Trust WALES TELEPHONE: 0300 772 9702
7) EMAIL: wales@carers.org
Culture Dementia UK
National charity providing information, advice, support, friendship, counselling and respite services for people with dementia and carers in the African/Caribbean community or the BAME communities.
(Formerly known as Friends of African/Caribbean Carers and Sufferers of Dementia (FACCSD))
Regional Coverage: UK
1) TELEPHONE: 0800 014 8682
2) WEBSITE: www.culturedementiauk.org
Dementia UK
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease information, advice and carer support.
Dementia UK also offers specialist Admiral Nurses support; call the helpline number to find out about service availability local areas.
Regional Coverage: UK
1) Free Dementia Helpline: 0800 888 6678
2) Website: www.dementiauk.org
3) Email: info@dementiauk.org
4) Helpline Email: helpline@dementiauk.org
Independent Age
Free information and advice for older people and their families on matters such as care, including standards of care, and support in many areas, also friendship services to reduce loneliness.
Free advice guides and factsheets available.
Regional Coverage: UK
1) Freephone Helpline: 0800 319 6789
2) Website: www.independentage.org
3) Email questions to: advice@independentage.org
Re-engage
Charity originally established in 1965 known as Contact, later changed to Contact the Elderly, most recently renamed Re-Engage in 2019.
Focusing on people in the 75 year old + age group who live alone or in sheltered housing with limited social contact and suffering from loneliness.
Before coronavirus, free activities included community tea parties to bring people together for conversation and refreshments; Reading Friends which brings people together who have a love of reading of all types of reading material encouraging conversation and developing new friendships; and regular call companion telephone services. E-newsletter available via a link on the website.
Due to coronavirus the call companion service is currently the only active service until social events can resume.
Re-engage will be starting the call companion service in Northern Ireland.
Regional Coverage: ENGLAND, WALES and SCOTLAND.
NORTHERN IRELAND due to start call companion service.
1) FREEPHONE LINE: 0800 716543
2) WEBSITE: www.reengage.org.uk
3) EMAIL: info@reengage.org.uk
Royal Voluntary Service
National charity giving communities support from local volunteers in many areas, a few of which include recreational and social events, also helping parts of the NHS with volunteer run hospital cafes and trolley refreshments for staff and visitors, also refreshments and company for patients during hospital stays.
Other support services include helping and providing company for people living with moderate to medium levels of dementia at home as well as during hospital stays.
Regional Coverage: UK
1) TELEPHONE: 0330 555 0310
2) WEBSITE: www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
3) ONLINE: www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/contact-us/contact-form
4) FOR HELP collecting shopping, medication and other supplies DURING CORONAVIRUS TELEPHONE: 0808 196 3646
The Silver Line
Confidential, free 24 hour helpline for older people in the UK. Open 365 days a year.
Callers to The Silver Line will receive conversation, friendship, information, advice, be put in touch with local groups covering assorted services, can be referred to receive regular friendship calls, and get help with protection for those people who are suffering abuse and neglect.
Regional Coverage: UK
1) The Silver Line FREE HELPLINE: 0800 4 70 80 90
2) EMAIL: info@thesilverline.org.uk
USEFUL VIDEO LINKS
A) EXERCISE VIDEOS SUITABLE FOR USE AT HOME
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/barnet/activities-and-events/fitness-videos/
Fitness videos for exercise around the home and garden.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5YX5xg8Seg
BHF Physical Activity Specialist Lisa Young demonstrates a 10 minute workout to do at home for heart health including warm up, exercise routine and cool down.
https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/our-services/advice-and-support/easy-exercises-to-do-at-home
Selection of short videos showing easy exercises to do at home to help improve strength and mobility, therefore maintaining independence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO6NNfX_1ns
Instructor and her 80 year old mother demonstrating indoor walking exercises for cardiovascular health and strengthening the body. Beginner Level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukDLb3rAmTY
Yoga based morning workout concentrating on core strengthening and tightening exercises for the abs and back – any skill level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWH_dXRFL5c
Yoga based evening workout stress relieving stretching exercises also helping mobility – any skill level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UabUNrjSE4
Jane Fonda low impact aerobics and walking cardio workout.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4YyCdTf9BM
Jane Fonda fast paced walking aerobic workout.
B) SOCIAL NETWORKING AND COMMUNITY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJpOQN5frjY
Personal insight from three people about the pleasure and importance of hobbies and interests in later life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzZKH5MGSGs
Centre for Ageing Better video featuring the personal stories of how three people strive to stay active, well and enjoy social participation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Puo1OZjFuMs
Age UK befriending service video explaining the benefits of befriending, and how additional services may be available to further enrich the lives of older people.
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=uV6NDtzOZUs
Age UK programme showing a University of Bristol study including interviews with single older men from the LGBT community about loneliness and how to combat it.
C) HELPING CARERS COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilickabmjww
Dementia expert and writer Diana Waugh shares her knowledge and personal experience to help others caring for people suffering from short term memory loss. She tells anecdotes and gives clear advice, helping the carer to learn about the person and try to ask the right questions thereby engaging in mutually enjoyable conversation.
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=tOc0F5bpk3c
Geropsychologist (psychologist specialising in working with older adults) Natali Edmonds explains how to converse with a person with dementia on the telephone, with ideas and suggested topics for conversation.