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Discount for bus pass users
STAGECOACH and Arriva will offer holders of the new young person’s travel pass the chance to take the bus in the evening and at weekends for just £1 per jour- ney.
The discount is for 11- to 16-
year-olds travelling by bus out of school time and in the holidays. It will soften the changes which
take effect from September 1, lim- iting use of the £200 pass toweek- days before 7pm. KCC cabinet member for trans-
port David Brazier said changes to the travel scheme were neces- sary to meet savings targets over the next three years. He added: “Research showed
that 75-78% of all journeys are made between home and school, sowe focused our limited funding
on the element that parents most valued. Now children will be able to enjoy even wider travel choices on their routes.” Arriva publicity manager Richard Lewis said: “The previ- ous Kent Freedom Pass, which al- lowed free travel throughout Kent on any bus was very popular and we want to encourage youngsters to continue using bus services outside school hours.” Users simply scan their pass
when they board the bus. Mr Lewis added: “This facility
will be available during the evenings, weekends and school holidays when the passes are not valid.”
Stagecoach is also offering
YPTP holders an off-peak season ticket costing £50 for the year.
CARE VISITS AT HOME Good Old Fashioned Service
ASK DEBBIE........ for help, advice and assistance
Dear Debbie,
My sister and I are the main carers for our elderly mother who lives alone a few miles away from both of us. She has always been a fiercely independent lady and has loved her home where she has lived for 40 years. It’s where her main memories of husband and family lie. After a few years of increasing confusion, she has now received a dementia diagnosis, apparently in early stage. We are both very reluctant to put her into a care home. Can home care help in this situation?
If you have a question that you would like to ask Debbie then please email her at
debbie@bluebirdcare.co.uk
Yours sincerely Pauline S
Dear Pauline, Park life likely to get busier
MOTE Park could become the Hyde Park of Kent after consent was granted for a company to hold up to eight major social events per year. Maidstone Council has given a premises licence to Social Events
Worldwide to host more events after The Feast–atwo-day food and drink festival – was organised on the August Bank Holiday weekend. The Social Festival, a dance and cultural event, was due to return to
Mote Park on September 13, with more shows promised for next summer. The company, headed by Brighton-based Luke Bendall, is registered
at Maidstone TV Studios in New Cut Road. The Social featured food and drink, arts and crafts and other market
stalls, as well as big names in techno and house music, such as DJ Nic Fanciulli, who comes from Maidstone but is renowned across Europe. The idea for staging livemusic events evolved after BBC Radio 1
chose the park for its BigWeekend in 2008. The licence from Maidstone Council covers the company for events
of up to 10,000 people and will allow the performance of plays, the showing of films, livemusic, recorded music, dancing and the serving of alcohol and late night refreshments.
Scam warning for older people
MEMBERS at a meeting of Maid- stone’s Older People’s Forum were warned about scams and fraudu- lent activities targetting elderly and vulnerable people. Mark Craig, of at-home care providerHomeInstead Senior Care, advised on how to spot a scam. The event at the Hazlitt Theatre,
Maidstone,was also attended by or- ganisations including Macmillan, representatives from Time for Change, who promote more open discussion around mental health is- sues, solicitors and Kent Police. For a free protection kit, go to
www.homeinstead.co.uk/maid- stone.
The question for you and your sister is “what course of action will be in your mother’s best interest?” Home care can work very well for some people especially where there are strong local relationships, say with neighbours or church groups because they can remain in contact with what is familiar to them. This often provides valuable reassurance in a situation which causes very real stress to those affected and their families. Regular visits from skilled carers can check regularly on well- being and safety, ensure adequate food intake and nutrition and ensure that medication is taken at the appropriate times. As the condition develops, regular contact with familiar faces offers reassurance, especially when the carers are trained in basic dementia coping strategies. You and your sister will obviously want to be at the heart of the care arrangements but carefully coordinated home care visits can help share the burden. Best wishes
Debbie Moulton, Care Manager Bluebird Care
• Help with getting up or going to bed
• Personal Hygiene • Cleaning the home • Preparing Meals • Assist with medication • Overnight Care
• Washing or Ironing • Shopping
• Sightseeing or leisure activities • 24hr Live-in-care
• Trips to see friends or relatives
MAIDSTONE • 01622 809530
maidstone@bluebirdcare.co.uk
www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/maidstone Malling September 2014
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