< Previous60 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COMFORT & COMPASSION Despite whatever the agenda is in parliament, the priority of any civilised society should be to its weakest, most vulnerable members. Contrary to what some might think, caring exists not to prevent vulnerable people from living their lives, but to provide a support structure through which they can experience their best lives in a safe and comfortable environment. Of course, there’s been scandals over the years, and abuses from staff right up to government. More work is needed, but these issues shouldn’t colour your decision to pursue caring. Sometimes there’s just no other option. It’s important to bear in mind that caring isn’t one-size-fits-all. The care and support needed by a teenager with a severe form of autism is going to be different from what an older person with mobility issues requires. Ultimately, the decision to put a loved one into a care facility is first and foremost about them. That’s not to say your own thoughts and feelings on the matter aren’t relevant, but they remain the top priority. There’s a number of reasons why an older person might be better off in a care facility. The view of sticking an old irritating relative into a home is the presiding popular image, but it is a problematic one. Most domestic homes simply aren’t equipped to look after an infirm or disabled older person. There is a variety of ways of making them more comfortable, including stair lifts, walk-in baths and adjustable beds etc, but sometimes it comes to a point where this environment simply isn’t feasible anymore. It’s about a person’s safety, comfort and wellbeing, something that quality care facilities will be able to provide. The county that cares Whether it’s buying a mobility aid, moving into a care facility, or arranging a funeral for a loved one, care and compassion for vulnerable older people should remain a constant. © Shutterstock/Tyler Olson 60-62.qxp_Layout 1 19/07/2019 10:31 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 61 COMFORT & COMPASSION Unlike what’s so often peddled in pop culture, care facilities try and replicate a home environment where possible with separate rooms, living facilities, gardens and communal mealtimes. It helps to make a person feel welcome and comfortable as well as fostering friendships between residents. It’s a sad but inevitably fact of life that as we age, friends and loved ones pass away. Making new friends is difficult at the best of times, but it can really be a challenge in later life, particularly for those who are infirm or unwell. Most care facilities have a cross section of different people who are all in the same situation. There’s already something in common there and its fertile ground for friendships to flourish. Pop culture would also have us believe that in care facilities, old people are left to sit around in blankets to waste away in front of the television between meals. Hopefully you don’t need us to dispel this 62 Á © Shutterstock/Photographee.eu image, but it’s probably worth emphasising just how untrue it is. Any care facility worth its salt will have a range of activities and entertainments available for residents. Readers might even be surprised to learn that video games can be found in more and more facilities. The Nintendo Wii might have been surpassed by later generations of games consoles, but its simple functionality is still ideal for older people who may be struggling with arthritis or other mobility issues. While the abundance of touch screen technology means older people don’t have to be cut off from their families. Exercise is also prioritised at many facilities from swimming to gentle outdoor aerobics. Comforts Avenue, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire DN15 6PN Tel: 01724 280 082 J. Naylor Funeral Directors Independent Funeral Directors www.jnaylor-funerals.co.uk YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY FUNERAL DIRECTOR We have experienced staff to personally help you with your individual needs. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE? We can help you arrange a funeral now or help if you are planning for the future. 15 Bigby Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 8EJ Tel: 01652 650 520 24 Hr Telephone 01724 280 082 Scunthorpe Office Hours - Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Brigg Office Hours - Mon-Fri 9am-12 noon & 1pm-4pm 60-62.qxp_Layout 1 19/07/2019 10:32 Page 262 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COMFORT & COMPASSION Mobility is one of the biggest challenges we face as we age. Even an individual with the best health can still succumb to health issues that leave them relying on a wheelchair or mobility scooter. But this doesn’t have to mean that a person still can’t enjoy their best lives. Towns and cities are becoming more friendly and welcoming to wheelchair users. Yes, there’s still a lot of work to be done in this regard, but we’re getting there, baby step by baby step. One of the biggest dangers that older people face is the weather. Most people assume that the biggest seasonal threat to vulnerable older people is winter with its devastating chill and surge in flu cases. But the summer months present just as big a danger. According to official statistics for England and Wales, there was almost seven hundred more deaths than average during the fifteen-day peak in June and July of last year’s heatwave. Across the continent, the 2003 heatwave in France resulted in the deaths of between 50,000 and 70,000 people. As climate change continues to run amok, extreme heat and death tolls such as these will only become more commonplace. As well as leading to heat stroke and hyperkalaemia, intense heat can also exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions. Older people’s bodies and immune systems just aren’t as well equipped to deal with these dangers and so extra precautions are required. This is again where a quality care facility has the advantage over a domestic set-up where air conditioning can be prohibitively expensive. Many people who live in care facilities go on to live happy lives for years but should the worse happen and your love one passes away you’ll be needing caring, understanding and compassion. With offices in Scunthorpe and Brigg, J Naylor Funeral Directors is an independent company that endeavours to go above and beyond expectation. They offer a bespoke service, tailored to meet exact requirements to deliver the best care to you and your family. Sometimes it’s inevitable that a vulnerable older person will need extra care, help and attention. The very best facilities offer care and compassion that will help your loved one live the best life they can. When they do pass away, the best funeral directors will continue this same care and compassion, bringing dignity to the very end of a loved one’s life. Here in Lincolnshire we’re blessed with an abundance of quality care facilities, funeral directors and specialists in mobility and other services aimed at older vulnerable people. We are, after all, the county that cares. © Shutterstock/NKM999 Proudly serving the families of Gainsborough and the surrounding areas for over 50 years For a prompt, sympathetic service from a recognised family business 41 Heaton Street, Gainsborough, DN21 2EA 01427 810619 www.cliffbradley.co.uk ȼ .%2 0!ˏ$ ,!(ˏ+"ˏ!/0 ȼ 5ˏ * ˏ%#$0ˏ!.2% ! ȼ .!ȥ, % ˏ"1*!. (ˏ,( */ˏˏ 60-62.qxp_Layout 1 19/07/2019 10:32 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 63 SOCIAL SCENE PHOTOS COURTESY OF RICHARD PICKSLEY Howard Westoby & Gemma (organisers) Carers Ball The magnificent Carers Ball recently took place at Forest Pines Hotel and Golf Resort in Brigg. Organised by the Brigg Carer’s Support Centre, the event marked National Carers’ Week and celebrated the more than 19,000 carers in North Lincolnshire. Guests were decked out in their finest with outfits harking back to the golden age of glamour. 63.qxp_Layout 1 19/07/2019 10:32 Page 164 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING Exciting and Executive If you need a new car, or you’re simply a petrolhead, this trio of cars might whet your automotive appetite. Exciting and Executive If you need a new car, or you’re simply a petrolhead, this trio of cars might whet your automotive appetite. 64-67.qxp_Layout 1 19/07/2019 10:34 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 65 COUNTY MOTORING The all-new Peugeot 508 SW is a sexy estate car. Does it sound weird us writing ‘sexy’ and ‘estate car’ in the same sentence? Well, maybe. But, as this type of motor goes, it’s a looker. Now, we all know beauty is only skin deep, so is there any depth to the French company’s fresh 508 SW? Well, yes, because you can get lots into the car’s boot due to the broad tailgate and lengthy wheelbase. Room in the rear seats is ample, with loads of leg and headroom for adults. It’s comfy, too, with an archetypally French suppleness to the ride. Better still, the swish ride doesn’t impact handling; its delicate balance means it’s relaxed to drive. It’s also hushed at motorway speeds, with the smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox proving an excellent companion on all roads. When it comes to running costs, the 508 SW is efficient and affordable, with our test car releasing just 104g/km of CO2 and managing around 50mpg on average. With a build quality to match German ‘premium’ brands and a modern cabin, this is a car you’ll be proud to see parked outside your house. Fast Facts Peugeot 508 SW GT Line 1.5 BlueHDi 130 EAT8 Max speed: 129 mph 0-62 mph: 10.1 seconds Combined MPG: 51.4 mpg Engine layout: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder diesel Max. power (PS): 130 CO2: 104 g/km Price: £31,495 All-New Peugeot 508 SW 64-67.qxp_Layout 1 19/07/2019 10:34 Page 266 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING Alfa’s foray into the SUV market has produced the Stelvio. And what a gorgeous car it is. It’s now been given the Speciale treatment, meaning the Italian beauty is further leaving the conventional Euro- boxes behind. Indeed, the Speciale is one of the poshest incarnations of Alfa Romeo’s SUV. And with a 280ps turbo-petrol lump, it’s also one of the fastest. The powerful engine will propel you from 0-62mph in just 5.7s, and it’ll top out at 134mph. Of course, with more performance comes a higher price; to get one, you’ll have to part with £45,615. But, apart from extra clout, what does your cash get you? Broadly, it’s a decent helping of equipment, such as 19-inch alloys, leather seats, a leather sports steering wheel and an infotainment system with navigation and DAB radio. Alfas don’t enjoy the reputation of German adversaries for build quality, but the Stelvio drives as well as any of them. What’s more, it’s a practical car, with 525 litres of boot space, extending to 1600 litres with the seats down. Fast Facts Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0 280 Speciale Max speed: 134mph 0-62 mph: 5.7s Combined mpg: 40.4 Engine: 1995cc petrol turbo Max. power (PS): 280 CO2: 175g/km Price: £45,615 Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0 280 Speciale 64-67.qxp_Layout 1 19/07/2019 10:34 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 67 COUNTY MOTORING Audi’s TTS has always been a great road car. It has a suppleness about it, coupled with good looks and power. What’s more, with a 0-62mph sprint of 4.5s and a cabin that makes Porsche’s 718 Cayman look dull, the revised TTS is a good buy at around £44,000. It’s also efficient, with tailpipe emissions on the S tronic version, as tested here, of 161g/km. As always, the Quattro four-wheel drive is a highpoint, and you can tweak it using different settings. In ‘auto’ mode, optimal traction and composed driving dynamics are given precedence. In ‘dynamic’ setting, torque is allocated to the rear axle more quickly, and in ‘efficiency’ mode, the system can turn off the Quattro tech - if conditions are appropriate. The Audi TTS isn’t a motor that auto aficionados have always taken seriously. Fast, but a bit lifeless was often the conclusion in the past. This enhanced TTS won’t change the views of the cynics, but for many drivers, a lot of the time, this Audi is a superior choice over some of its more hardcore challengers. Fast Facts Audi TTS Coupe Quattro S tronic Max speed: 155mph 0-62 mph: 4.5s Combined mpg: 39.8 Engine: 1984cc petrol turbo Max. power (PS): 306 CO2: 161g/km Price: £44,610 Audi TTS 64-67.qxp_Layout 1 19/07/2019 10:34 Page 468 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING Intensely Alpine Alpine A110 review Three years ago, Renault, the parent company of Alpine, took the wraps off the revived marque’s first ever concept car. 68-69.qxp_Layout 1 19/07/2019 10:35 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 69 COUNTY MOTORING The A110 bore a resemblance to its 1973 World Rally Championship-winning namesake. But this wasn’t an exercise in nostalgia - it was a total revival. And now it’s no longer a concept – it’s a car very much on sale today. The coupe is compact, with a miniature boot at the rear and another at the front. However, the Alpine clearly isn’t about practicality – it’s all about the driving experience. Climb inside, and the cockpit cocoons you. It’s small, but the sports seats in our test car supported us well. We also had ample legroom. The elevated centre console contains a large starter button and the controls for the transmission. As for the dials, they alter in appearance depending on the driving mode selected: Sport, Neutral or Track. What’s more, the throttle response, steering, gearbox and exhaust sound can all be adjusted. There are also shift paddles attached to the car’s steering column. This all makes for a satisfying drive, with the light and precise steering giving lots of feedback. If you want to play, you can – the rear of the Alpine will twitch around magnificently – but this is best reserved for a track day. The sound of the engine is to die for, too. It growls away like a dog with a bone alongside occasional fizzles from the turbo at the back of your head. Putting your right foot down hard brings about a glorious yowl, although that could be the elective sports exhaust fitted to the model we drove. Maximum torque is accessible from 2,000rpm, which is excellent for a spurt of acceleration, but it does mean you have to change up gears earlier than you’d perhaps like. Nevertheless, with 252ps, the Alpine A110 is more than wild enough – and it could even bother Porsche’s 718 for out and out performance. Fast Facts Max speed: 155 mph 0-62 mph: 4.5 sec Combined mpg: 45.6 Engine layout: 1798cc, four-cylinder petrol turbo Max. power (PS): 252 CO2: 141g/km Priced from: £46,905 68-69.qxp_Layout 1 19/07/2019 10:36 Page 2Next >