Age Concern South Gloucestershire is ‘STEPPING OUT’

Written by Dan Luton
Monday, 11 May 2009 13:08

Age Concern South Gloucestershire are starting their own nail cutting service for older people, and calling it their ‘Stepping Out’ service. This follows an extensive national campaign by Age Concern that revealed that over one third of older people over the age of sixty five, experience mobility problems because they cannot cut their own toe nails.

The Health Service has consistently tightened their criteria for free nail cutting over the past ten years, and the private sector is often too expensive for older people on limited incomes. This puts many older people at a great disadvantage, making them dependent on close relatives, friends or neighbours to cut their nails for them. Lack of quality foot care services leaves people housebound and isolated and can lead to increased risk of falls.

Age Concern is setting up regular venues across South Gloucestershire, but will confine the service to basic nail cutting. This service is being established on very limited funding so service users will have to pay an annual joining fee of £4.00 and then £10.00 per treatment.

The Chief Officer of Age Concern says “ We are working to establish a much needed service and will try to locate clinics in a wide range of venues and areas, so that all older people are able to access at least one that is near to them. We have to make a charge to cover the cost of running the service and paying rent for the venues”.

The ‘Stepping Out’ service is by appointment only. For information about available clinics or to make an appointment, please phone Age Concern South Gloucestershire on 01454 858750. All service users will be asked to sign a self certification form before receiving the service to confirm that they are medically suitable for such treatment.

Age Concern would welcome the support of people qualified, and prepared to help with the delivery of this service, so that it can be rolled out to as many locations as possible. Volunteers who are prepared to be trained for this service are also very welcome. Any interest should be made known by calling the number above.