News
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-
Trees can go
PLANNING permission was granted by Maidstone Council for the removal of two oaks and one horse chestnut tree in ChurchWalk, Headcorn. Conservation area consent was
also granted to reduce a separate oak tree by 25% atWalnut Cottage. “All of the above are less than 18 years old and were planted by the owner,” a supporting statement said. “The reason for the fells is to remove the risk of them growing into overhead cabling.”
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.
Free hospital wifi
MAIDSTONE patients will be able to hook up to free internet wifi during their stay in hospital thanks to the league of friends. The leagues at Maidstone and Tun- bridge Wells hospitals joined forces to provide the service to patients and visitors at a cost of nearly £40,000. Supporters raise money inways such as providing services in the hospitals. Wifi has been available in Tunbridge Wells since Christmas and in Maidstone since early January.
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 plus. 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.
Donna-Marie Jarrett, the director of health informatics at the hospital, with Maidstone Hospital League of Friends volunteers
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