Page 24 - Oundle Life April 2025

STAY HEALTHY
with a little help…
Age Well
Older people living in the Oundle area may
have come across something called “Age Well”
at their GP surgery. This is a free service
funded by Integrated Care Northamptonshire
(iCAN) and is a partnership of Health, Adult
Social Care and the voluntary sector. Judith
Warren from Age UK Northamptonshire is
an Age Well Coordinator who works in the
Rockingham Forest Primary Care Network
with colleagues at GP surgeries in Oundle,
Corby and Kettering.
Age Well provides practical and emotional
support to people age 65+ who have one or
more long-term health conditions, enabling
them to live independently.
Judith says “I assist with a whole range of
things, from helping people access mobility aids,
to filling in applications for Blue Badges. I often
refer people to Age UK Northamptonshire’s
Information & Advice Team because they are
likely to qualify for Attendance Allowance.
“Attendance Allowance is an important
benefit to claim from the Department of Work
and Pensions because it is not means tested or
taxable. It is paid to people over pension age
who are disabled, have difficulties with personal
care, or need support to carry out daily tasks in
the home,” adds Judith.
Age UK Northamptonshire can be contacted
on 01604 611200. Registered charity 1059995
www.ageuknorthants.org.uk
Raising awareness of Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the
brain is disrupted. The majority of strokes are caused by a blood clot in a
blood vessel that blocks the flow of blood to the brain, and some are caused
by a ruptured blood vessel that causes a bleed into the brain.
Time of onset is vital; for recognition of a stroke use the FAST TEST.
F Facial weakness: unable to smile, mouth and eye may droop
A Arm weakness: the casualty may only be able to lift one arm.
S Speech problems: the casualty may not be able to speak or understand what
is being said.
T Time critical: time to call 999 or 112
Keep the casualty in a comfortable position and reassure them until the ambulance arrives.
For more information about St John Ambulance go to www.sja.org.uk – Carol Coleman
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