elderly

Electrical checks for the elderly this winter

The UK’s leading registration body for electricians is urging people to think electrics when they carry out their checks on the elderly this winter.

Research commissioned by the NICEC found that 24 million of us have elderly relatives living on their own.

Despite half (50%) of us believing the elderly are more at risk of electrical fires, 75% of us haven’t had their homes...

Rogue traders plead guilty to fraud

Two rogue traders have pleaded guilty to fraud at Newton Abbot Magistrates Court following an investigation by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards.

Bryan Ferren, aged 38 and Kevin Hogg aged 41, both of Clifton Court, Clifton Road, Paignton, admitted to conning over £70,000 out of 17 elderly Devon residents over a 13 month period.

The court heard how, between November 2012 and...

Help change the lives of lonely 90-year-olds

As the nation celebrates the Queen’s birthday thousands more 90-year-olds will have no cakes or parties to look forward to.

They spend their days alone with no one to talk to and nothing to look forward to except a call from their Silver Line Friend.

As the only national, free and confidential helpline for older people that’s open day and night, The Silver Line helpline has...

Elderly man's home burgled in Plymouth

Police are appealing for information after a man called at an 81-year-old male victim’s home in Northampton Close, Whitleigh, and took his jacket and wallet containing cash.

The man had visited previously when selling some clothing and returned on Wednesday 30 December 2015 between 6.30pm and 6.45pm.

On this occasion the man entered the hallway when the victim answered the door...

Could you become a Silver Line 'Friend'?

Silver Line – the free, confidential 24/7 helpline for older people – is getting set for its phones to be buzzing over the New Year period.

The helpline operates around-the-clock, 365-days-a-year to provide information and support and already receives 1,300 calls a day from lonely older people.

Founded by Dame Esther Rantzen, it offers friendship and advice, and signposts...

Campaign tackling seasonal loneliness helps record numbers

Record numbers of older people worried about being alone over Christmas have already contacted older people’s housing and care charity The Abbeyfield Society as its Coping at Christmas campaign gets into full swing.

Since the campaign launch in November, Abbeyfield has handled hundreds of calls from isolated older people who face being alone over the extended Christmas period. As a...

Don't fall victim to fraudsters

Police are reminding the public to be vigilant about telephone scams and to follow some simple advice to prevent them from becoming a victim of this type of crime.

Devon and Cornwall Police have been working with partners and the community to raise the awareness of the sudden rise in elderly victims who are conned out of thousands of pounds by tricksters who convince them they are...

Elderly woman seriously hurt in collision

Police are appealing for witnesses to a two-vehicle collision in Staddiscombe, Plymouth, which left an elderly woman with life-threatening injuries.

Emergency services were called to Bovisand Road around 11am after the collision between a red Ford Fiesta and a white Rover Mini.

The Mini driver, a 79-year-old woman from the Wembury area, sustained serious injuries, described as...

Appeal for volunteer dog walkers

The Cinnamon Trust is the national charity whose wonderful volunteers help people over retirement age and those in the latter stages of a terminal illness by offering all kinds of pet care.

We urgently need dog walking volunteers for some elderly residents of Plymouth who are unable to walk their lovely dogs. There is a Shih Tzu, Cocker Spaniel, Yorkshire Terrier and a sweet Jack...

Appeal after attempted robbery

Police in Plymouth are appealing for information following an attempted robbery on an elderly woman.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident where a 83 year old lady was the victim of an attempt robbery which occurred around 4.00pm on Wednesday 22nd July in the small car park behind the Gala Bingo on Derry’s Cross Plymouth.

The victim was walking back to her car...

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