downsmail.co.uk Beating loneliness of old age
MAIDSTONECouncil is aiming to reduce levels of loneliness and iso- lation among the elderly. The borough has more than 28,000 residents above the age of 65, of which 3,500 are over 85. Many of them live inAllington and Bearsted. Sarah Robson and Sarah Shear-
smith, from the council’s housing and community services depart- ment, have made recommendations on tackling issues arising from the town’s ageing population. A council report says: “Under- standing individual cases involves specific contact and support. This can only be delivered by partner-
ships between the council and other organisations supporting older peo- ple and communities.” Population projections from the
Office for National Statistics show expected increases in all age groups in the coming years, with the largest percentage hike occurring in the 85+ age groups, with a 25% increase. The projected increase for Maid-
stone for 2018 is just under 7%, which would take the population to just over 170,000. Because the borough has a higher
than average proportion of the pop- ulation over 50, the town’s health services will come under greater
pressure and it may be necessary to expand the capacity of health serv- ices such as GPs in areas of the largest population increase. Schools, health authorities and
other groups are to be approached for help in developing proposals, which include an information pack and bereavement guide. Maidstone has a range of services
and activities such as walking groups and healthy eating classes, which havephysical and psycholog- ical benefits. A resource pack is available at
www.jrf.org.uk/publications/loneli- ness-resource-pack.
THEpupils of OaksAcademy in Maidstone raised more than £1,600 for Demelza Hospice Care. Members of the school council, two of whom are pictured presenting the cheque, nominated the hospice as their charity of the year . They raised money by holding weekly un- healthy tuck shops, a sponsored walk and a carol service.
A28-YEAR-OLD manwhose body was recovered from the River Med- way four weeks after he went miss- ing from Maidstone town centre had drowned, an inquest heard. Friends and family of Patrick
Lamb, from Greenhithe, organised appeals and searches after he was last seen in the early hours of the morning after leaving Bar Chocolate. Police were alerted to his disap- pearance the next morning when he failed to turn up at his hotel. Mr Lamb was found in the water at
Analysing figures
THE lowest number of retired peo- ple live in the Detling and Thurn- ham, Loose, North Downs, Leeds, Downswood and Otham wards, while Boughton Monchelsea and Chart Sutton have the fewest num- ber of residents aged 85+. The report points out that lonely
people can neglect their diet and drink too much alcohol. The wards most at risk are High Street, Shep- way North, Shepway South and Parkwood, closely followed by North, Bridge, Heath and Fant.
Pupils raise funds for hospice Pat Lamb drowning verdict
Cuxton marina almost a month after disappearing. An inquest at Maid- stone heard thatMrLamb appeared intoxicated onCCTVfootage.Apost mortem examination showed he died from immersion. Police said the death was not
being treated as suspicious and the hearingwas adjourned until April 1. Mr Lamb’s family and girlfriend Natasha Morgan described him as “an extremely kind and selfless per- son” and “an amazing son, brother and uncle”.
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Maidstone Town February 2015 5
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