Affording help at home
How Age UK Islington Helped Lighten the Load of Everyday Tasks
By Jimmy, a local resident, aged 85 years that was supported by Age UK Islington
A helping hand when I needed it
The support that I had from Age UK Islington was excellent. Jenna was an absolute diamond – so kind, so caring and so thorough.
It was a cousin who suggested that I contact Age UK Islington. She lives in Essex and thought that I should be getting some help - I have got problems with my heart and together with a very painful hip, it started to become really difficult to manage at home and to get out and about.
My neighbours are good, and would ask me if I wanted some help with my shopping, but my cousin thought I could do with some further support.
Support that made a real difference
I spoke to Age UK Islington and Jenna on the phone about my ailments and she said that she would come and see me. She took photos of my cardiology appointments and helped me to apply for Attendance Allowance. This is some extra money to help pay out for support with tasks around the house which I was not able to do.
I was able to cook for myself, but anything more than this, such as cleaning or shopping, was not possible. My hip was too painful and my heart condition means that everything that I used to do with ease, was much more difficult or not do-able. I could see that paying for someone to come in and do some cleaning and help with the garden would be a good idea.
These days my hip is far less painful, but I still have to take my time and pace myself to do anything around the house.
Getting out and about
Jenna also helped me to apply for a Taxicard. A Taxicard provides discounted black cab and mini cab fares for people with serious mobility issues or who have sight impairment. You can use it to go to visit family or friends, to go shopping or out to events.
These days I am breathless and can only get to the end of the street. I have had a few falls and I also worry about tripping over again. Last time I fell, the bleeding wouldn't stop because of the medication that I'm on.
I don’t get out and about too much nowadays. I live on the border of City of London and Islington and I go to one event a week at a local community centre. We sit around and have a little bit of entertainment and some food. We then do a sitting down exercise class. This is something I’ve been able to do, despite my hip problems.
Being a carer
I used to be a taxi-driver, driving all over London. I used to pick up many a celebrity. Sometimes I'd talk to them, but other times leave them alone. Barry Humphries was a nice chap. He was quite an eccentric dresser - very colourful. On another occasion I picked up David Walliams. I left him to his own thoughts but he was quite a good tipper!
I was also a carer for my mother and even on the weekends when I wasn’t working I would take her out for the day. We’d put her wheelchair in the back and go off to a shopping centre or somewhere like Brighton. Just before my Mum died, she asked me to promise her that I’d eat properly. I do just that and cook myself fish twice a week and a roast on Sunday!
Thank you Age UK Islington
I am very thankful to Age UK Islington for the help that they’ve provided. I do think that Jenna is an Angel!
For more information and guidance
For more information about Attendance Allowance and Taxicards, please see the guides from Age UK national and Islington Council.
You need to be over state penion age to apply for Attendance Allowance. The guide includes information to consider when making an application and how to check if you'd be eligible.
If you need any further guidance or support, please contact Age UK Islington on: 020 7281 6018 (Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm) or email gethelp@ageukislington.org.uk