Age Concern Sheffield - Information & Advice

We provide advice and information, tailored to the needs of older people, on a wide range of subjects.

Looking for services for older people in Sheffield? Look no further than www.oldersheffield.org.uk This new searchable website contains details of hundreds of activities, resources and services provided by voluntary, community and faith sector organisations in Sheffield. What's more it will tell you how close they are to you and whether they have any space available. Follow the link to find out more.more.

Mrs Smith, 80, lives alone in Sheffield and has increasing care needs. Until a few months ago her only income was a Retirement and an Occupational Pension, which were insufficient for her to pay for the extra help she needed with everyday tasks.

Age Concern Sheffield helped Mrs Smith to apply for Attendance Allowance, which involved a Doctor visiting her, however this was subsequently refused on the basis that her needs were not great enough. Mrs Smith was upset, but backed by the Information and Advice team, pursued the matter and obtained a copy of the Doctor's report, which turned out to contain significant inaccuracies. This gave Mrs Smith grounds for an appeal and a few weeks later the original decision was over-turned. Once in receipt of Attendance Allowance Mrs Smith became eligible for extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. In total Mrs Smith is now £137.63 a week better off - a staggering £7,156.76 a year - and can afford the care she needs. Age Concern Sheffield have also referred the case to 'Stay-Put', who have agreed to provide some minor equipment e.g. grab rails and Social Services have been approached to carry out a reassessment of her care needs.

A team of staff, volunteers and student social workers on placement, assist thousands of people every year on issues ranging from healthcare to housing to problems with utility companies. We also provide benefits checks to ensure people are claiming their full entitlement, advice and assistance with disability benefits and support for people appealing against decisions not to award benefits. The impact of this service on people's lives can be dramatic as Mrs Smith's case demonstrates:

To make an enquiry you can call into our reception at 44 Castle Square, call us on 0114 250 2859 or complete an online enquiry. We will assign your query to an appropriate person who will contact you as soon as possible.

All adults have the right to live a safe life, free from fear and harm. Abuse is not just physical or sexual, it can involve taking money without permission, not looking after someone properly, or not allowing contact with family or friends. It can be bullying or harassing somebody because they are 'different'.

Anyone can be an abuser, for example relatives, partners, friends, paid carers, volunteers, neighbours, or strangers. If you think you're being abused, or you may know someone who is you can find more information on the council's website www.sheffield.gov.uk/reportabuse or call their Adult Access Team on 0114 273 4908.

You can also contact South Yorkshire Police on 0114 220 2020, or get advice from Action on Elder Abuse's helpline on 0808 808 8141.