Advice and news
Practical articles on loneliness and befriending, PIP forms and assessments, supporting an older parent, dementia, winter wellbeing, volunteering and giving. Written by the AgeTrust team.
Latest article
Health and wellbeing 4 min read
Loneliness is as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Here is what it does to older bodies and minds, and the practical steps that reduce it.
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14 articles
Befriending3 min read
Thinking about befriending for yourself or a relative? Here is exactly what happens, from the first phone call to the first cup of tea, and how we keep everyone safe.
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PIP support2 min read
The Personal Independence Payment process is under review. Here is what has changed, what has not, and how to keep your claim on track.
Read articlePIP support4 min read
The PIP2 form is long and the wording matters. This guide walks through each part, with the mistakes that cost people points and how to avoid them.
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PIP support3 min read
PIP is decided by points against twelve activities. This guide lists them, explains the 8 and 12 point thresholds, and shows how 'reliably' changes everything.
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PIP support4 min read
Most PIP claims involve an assessment by phone, video or in person. Here is what to expect, what the assessor is really checking, and how to prepare without anxiety.
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Men in Sheds3 min read
Many men will not join a lunch club but will happily spend Saturday morning fixing a bird box. Here is why community sheds improve health, and what ours in Stafford is like.
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Men in Sheds2 min read
Our shed is open at weekends for projects, repairs and good company. Here is what to expect on your first visit.
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Families and carers4 min read
Older parents rarely ask for help. These eight changes, from an emptier fridge to a quieter phone, are the signs families most often miss, with a practical next step for each.
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Families and carers3 min read
A simple, repeatable routine for supporting an older parent who lives alone, whether you are round the corner or two hundred miles away.
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Health and wellbeing3 min read
A dementia diagnosis raises more questions than it answers. Here is the support available after diagnosis, the paperwork worth doing early, and why staying connected matters.
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Health and wellbeing3 min read
Cold homes, dark evenings and icy pavements make winter the hardest season for older people. Here is how to stay warm, avoid falls and keep in touch, plus the help you can claim.
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Befriending2 min read
Working with Home to Home Calls, we are extending telephone befriending into regular visits for care-home residents who are severely lonely.
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Befriending3 min read
Thinking about volunteering? Here is what befriending really involves, what training and checks you get, and why most volunteers say they get more than they give.
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Charity news3 min read
Gift Aid adds 25p to every £1 at no cost to you, and a gift in your will can reduce inheritance tax. Here is how both work, and what a gift to AgeTrust pays for.
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Registered charity no. 1124019. Gift Aid adds 25p to every £1 at no cost to you.
