Later life advisers can be the ‘trusted person’ who is able to put lonely and vulnerable elderly people in touch with groups, charities and support that make their lives better.
This was the view of Sophie Andrews, CEO of Silverline, the national charity for older people that offers a telephone helpline for those individuals.
Andrews was speaking at today’s inaugural National Later Life Adviser Conference, which is being held today at the Gloucester Rugby Club Business Centre at Gloucester’s ground, Kingsholm.
Silverline is the chosen charity partner of the Answers in Retirement Group and offers a range of services to the elderly including a 24/7 phone line, regular letters, and interest group conference calls. It seeks to provide those in later life with support, advice, friendship and someone to listen and talk to at a time in life when they may not have anyone.
Andrews highlighted the role that advisers can play in supporting this part of society.
She said: “The prompt to call us is often through a trusted person like an adviser and there may be triggers that cause you to give out our details. Often those triggers are losses, like the loss of a partner, but also not so obvious losses like the loss of a pet or a driving license that cause people’s circumstances to change. We would urge advisers to sign-post people to Silverline when this occurs and to give out our number – 0800 4 70 80 90.
“Advisers could simply be aware of a client’s situation, suggest they give Silverline a go, and could certainly help us in promoting what we do.”
Silverline was established in September 2012 and in July this year will have taken two million calls. It takes 1,500-1,600 calls from older people every day, and makes over 4,000 ‘friendship calls’ to elderly people every week; most people who call Silverline are over 70 years old.
“Many of the people who call are from a generation who don’t want to be a burden, and therefore they wouldn’t call someone like the Samaritans,” said Andrews.
“However, they are just as in need and we reach out to isolated and vulnerable people and by talking to them we can alleviate some of that loneliness.”
Stuart Wilson, group managing director of Answers in Retirement Ltd, said: “When we were looking for charities to support, Silverline were the obvious choice. The work that they carry out reminds us of the humanity and the needs of the people we advise.
“As advisers we shouldn’t forget that our visit or call may be the only time that client has spoken to someone that day, and it’s important we recognise this in our dealings with them, and also to highlight that charities like Silverline exist.
“It’s vitally important work and makes a huge difference to the people who use Silverline, so we’re very happy to support them and hope advisers highlight the fantastic work they are doing to their later life client base.”
