Silver Sunday: A special day to celebrate seniors
WE’VE long celebrated special days for mums and dads with cards, flowers and gifts — so isn’t it about time for a special day when we make a fuss of older people?
Silver Sunday, on October 4, aims to be just this.
The brainchild of the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Christabel Flight, it is a day of celebration with nationwide events to help those aged 65-plus to keep active in body and spirit, try new things, meet their neighbours and ultimately overcome loneliness.
And she’s hoping to get it firmly established in the national calendar.
Christabel and The Sir Simon Milton Foundation launched Silver Sunday in 2012 after a report discovered that more than a third of people aged 75 and over said they were lonely.
This year 500-plus free events from concerts to museum tours and chocolate tastings are being held across Britain.
Highlights include a centenarians’ tea party in Southend for those who are aged 100 or more and a murder mystery over a three-course meal in East Sussex. London Mayor Boris Johnson is even throwing open the doors of City Hall to host its first Silver Sunday.
Supporter Joanna Lumley says: ‘This is a special day for older people to get involved in community events and activities to bring back some of the traditional community spirit. It’s also a small thank you for your contribution to society.’ To find out about events near you, visit silversunday.org.uk.
ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY?
WITH colder weather on the horizon, those who are sensitive to changes in the weather might soon be reporting more aches and pains in their joints.
One theory is that joint membranes expand when the air pressure drops as a cold front sweeps in, increasing the pressure of the fluids that lubricate the joints and causing more resistance to
movement as the nerves respond. And another new theory is that our genes rev up our immune system to fight winter infections as the temperatures fall.
But this process can go awry, as it mistakenly attacks our bodies instead, triggering inflammation and causing stiffness.
Whatever the cause, winter can bring joint discomfort.
So before it has a chance to kick in, it could be worth thinking about what might help you most in the months ahead.
A recliner chair or adjustable bed could bring welcome positional relief from aches and pains.
An adjustable bed has five electrically controlled points in the base of the bed, so that you can adjust the headrest or the footrest to find a good sleeping position that reduces strain on aching muscles and joints.
Raising the head section makes it easier to read in bed, and getting out of bed is less strain.
Recliner chairs offer exceptional comfort and support to your back and legs, helping to relieve aching muscles and stiff joints as well as promoting good circulation.
Relaxing in a recliner chair has also been known to relieve some breathing difficulties, too.
If space is an issue, you could choose a wall-hugger type.
This can be positioned a few inches from the wall, because the back reclines away from it and not into it as a normal recliner does.
SCOOT INTO AUTUMN
THE countryside and local parks will soon be showing off their autumn finery — and it would be a shame to miss it because walking is becoming more difficult.
A nifty mobility scooter makes it possible to get out and enjoy the spectacular colours while riding over a carpet of crunchy leaves.
Pop a lightweight folding scooter in the car boot, ready to take out to use on firmer woodland paths. The best smaller scooters are now suprisingly robust and provide a high level of stability.
Or go for an even sturdier model that you could ride around your locality daily to enjoy the very best that autumn brings.