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GROWING OLD IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

Many older people living in the country feel trapped in their own homes without access to services which town dwellers take for granted, says Help the Aged.

lain Wilson of the Rural Development Commission agrees: "The number of elderly people in the countryside is growing but they are given less help to overcome the problems of isolation and vulnerability than elsewhere, leaving many gaps in provision."

Help the Aged and the Rural Development Commission are working together to make sure the health and community care needs of older people in rural areas are met by planners and service providers and to help improve the quality of community care services in the countryside.

They are organising a series of conferences to highlight the problems faced by older people living in the country - such as the lack of public transport and local services and to show how community and voluntary groups, many working in partnership with The conferences are being held at Wolverhampton on March 12, Taunton on March 19, York on March 26, Preston on April 16 and London on April 23, with a national conference at Church House, London, on June 25. They are open to anyone with an interest in this field, including voluntary, statutory and private sector service providers and planners.

Further information and booking forms are available from Lesley Phillips, conference organiser, telephone 01367 240129.