Older People’s Day

Ringway Mews, a Bupa care home in Wythenshawe is one of over 200 across the country planning a week-long programme of activities in support of UK Older People’s Day 2008, Wednesday 1st October.

Launched by the Government, UK Older People’s Day aims to create a positive view of later life, celebrate older people’s achievements and ensure they feel included in society.

The day will be the focus of Bupa’s Community Spirit Week, an annual initiative which helps tackle the problems of isolation amongst older people in the community. This year, Bupa care homes throughout the country are inviting local people to join their residents in a host of fun-packed activities ranging from quizzes and tea dances to afternoon teas and musical entertainment.

Beryl Caldwell, home manager at Ringway Mews Nursing Home, which will be hosting a musical evening with old-time sing-a-long from 7pm on 1st October, said, “UK Older People’s Day is a great chance to bring communities together and celebrate later life. A lifetime of achievement and experience is something to be valued and we think it’s really important to appreciate the role that older people play in our communities. Anyone who wants to come along and join us will be guaranteed a warm welcome.”

Director of Bupa Care Homes, Dean Cowley, said, “We are delighted that so many events are taking place throughout the UK and that everybody is getting so involved. Both Bupa’s Community Spirit Week and UK Older People’s Day provide the perfect opportunity not only to recognise the contribution and achievements of older people, but also to ensure that older people feel valued and are an important part of our communities.”

Pensions Minister Mike O’Brien said:
“Older people make a difference to our country everyday as grandparents, carers, entrepreneurs, volunteers and leaders. Older People’s Day is all about bringing people together, from teenagers to older people, strengthening contact across generations. I’m delighted that Bupa has embraced the day as part of its Community Spirit Week and that so many care homes will be holding social events to bring different generations together.”

This is the fifth year that Bupa has organised Community Spirit Week, a joint project between Bupa Care Services and Bupa Community Connections. Since its launch in 2003, over 1,300 local Community Spirit Week events have been organised, with a record number of homes taking part this year.
ENDS.