Staysure offer advised sales for private health insurance and work with all the leading health insurance providers so that policies can be tailored to meet individual needs.

Staysure’s core business is customer service. We do not necessarily offer anything which cannot be found in the market already but Staysure offer these products with a guarantee of exceptional customer service and after care.

Staysure are the over 50s experts, specialising in a wide range of insurance products tailored to the over 50s. This range of products includes travel insurance, health insurance, life insurance, motor insurance, home insurance, and funeral plans. These products are also replicated for expats living throughout Europe. Below is a list of their products:

Travel Insurance

Staysure travel insurance provides customers with the peace of mind that they are fully covered whilst enjoying their holiday. Staysure understands that it can be quite expensive for over 50s to obtain travel insurance, especially if they have pre-existing medical conditions. This is why Staysure covers 220 pre-existing medical conditions free of charge on all their policies, including arthritis, asthma, diabetes, heart conditions and high blood pressure (subject to conditions). Customers are able to enjoy single trip, annual multi trip, long stay and winter sports travel insurance with Staysure, all tailored to their needs. Whilst no-one wants to think about needing to use travel insurance, having adequate cover in place gives you peace of mind should the unforeseen happen.

Health and Life Insurance

Staysure works with a panel of renowned health and life insurers in order to tailor-make cover that is right for you. They offer a range of Private Medical Insurance products from cash plans to full healthcare, as well as an array of life insurance policies including fixed term and whole of life. By working with leading names such as Aviva, BUPA and Prudential Staysure are able to offer bespoke policies to meet the needs of each customer on an individual basis. As a Staysure customer you only pay for what you want to have covered.

Motor and Home Insurance

As an over 50s motor or home owner, Staysure offers competitive rates to reward you for your wisdom and ability to protect your assets. They work with a panel of insurance providers in order to tailor a quote to meet your needs, meaning that you’re never paying more than you have to. Also, with Staysure’s Comprehensive car insurance benefits include a free courtesy car free windscreen cover as standard. Staysure home insurance is either available as buildings or contents (or a combination of both) and specialises in providing a great deal for those over 50.

Funeral Plans

Although this is not a topic that people generally wish to discuss Staysure offer funeral plans that are able to freeze the cost of a funeral. A funeral plan ensures that your wishes are carried out and remove the stress from family members in what would already be a difficult time.

Expats

In addition to the host of services available for UK citizens, this range is fully replicated to expats living throughout Europe. All documentation is provided in English to make everything as easy as possible for expats.

A great selection of free shopping catalogues and travel brochures
delivered direct to your door. Whether you are looking for fashion, furniture, electrical, toys, accessories, an exotic holiday or a weekend break our free request service has something to suit.

Home for Life is the RSPCA’s free service, giving pet owners peace of mind.
 
It means we’ll do all we can to find a new, loving home for your pet/s if you should pass away.
 
Too many cats and dogs are left homeless after their owners die. Now you can ensure they’re properly looked after should anything happen.
 
Home for Life provides peace of mind for pet owners of any age. Should your pet/s outlive you we will take them into our care and will set about finding them a new, loving home.
 
You simply have to include wording in your will, passing care of your pets to the RSPCA.  This will cover all animals you come to own throughout your lifetime, not just your current pets.
 
To find out more please visit homeforlife.org.uk The RSPCA only operates in England & Wales.

All short breaks are exclusively for adults and with stunning hotels in the UK you’d be spoilt for choice! At each of their hotels you can expect great activities, fine dining and superb entertainment with breakfast a three course dinner and accommodation all included in the price.

You don’t have to do anything apart from relax, unwind and fully enjoy the fantastic facilities on offer. Highlights this autumn include great offers on spa breaks with special seasonal offers. More choice, relax and unwind or be active with sports and experience breaks. You can literally do as little or as much as you like. Relax and unwind in beautiful surroundings or be active with their extensive range of sports and leisure facilities and experience breaks.

At Warner Leisure Hotels they understand that no matter how delicious the food, pretty the gardens and comfortable the beds, you expect more. With Warner Leisure Hotels they give you more, from 13 hotels that give you the choice of 4 Star Country House Hotels through to stunning Coastal Villages. All of the breaks include stylish accommodation, full breakfast and dinner, access to the entire on site leisure and sports facilities plus live music and entertainment every evening.

So whatever the time year and weather you will be sure of a break to remember at Warner Leisure Hotels.

Discover more about the fantastic UK short breaks on offer in the Experience breaks section. If you are looking for a great deal on your next Hotel break, see the special offer deals. With great break options at fantastic locations you can be sure to find the perfect getaway with Warner Leisure Hotels.

All breaks are half board and the following are all included in the price:

Stylish en suite accommodation
Full English or continental breakfasts
3 course evening meals
Sports & leisure facilities

Book Now

For details of all the Warner Hotels and special offers visit www.warnerhotels.co.uk or request a brochure.

Silent calls are generated when call centres use predictive dialling systems to call more numbers than there is staff available to speak to the person who answers.

Ofcom will now have the power to use the fine to penalise and deter firms from persistently making these calls.

Minister for Communications, Ed Vaizey, said:

“Silent calls are incredibly unnerving, particularly for the elderly and those who live alone.  Government will not stand by and let firms plague consumers without consequence which is why we have made the maximum penalty for silent calls 40 times larger to reflect the seriousness of the issue.

“Ofcom can now put this fine into action in the most serious of cases and they will also work with us to ensure consumers know where to get help if they are a victim of persistent silent and abandoned calls.”

The penalty has been applied through an amendment to the Communication Act 2003 and will also be applicable to cases including for example:

number scanning
withholding calling line identification facilities
abusing systems for dishonest gain
misusing allocated telephone numbers

Useful information

1.The amendment to introduce the new penalty was passed in the Houses of Parliament on Thursday, 16 September 2010. 

2.Ofcom research into the issue, carried out between October and December 2009, found that 47% of adults felt ‘very inconvenienced’ by silent calls and 32% were ‘very concerned’.  During the same period, 3,500 consumers contacted BT’s Nuisance Calls Bureau and in February 2010, over 14,000 callers to the Bureau listened to recorded advice on silent calls.  Ofcom received over 6,500 complaints about silent calls in 2009.

3.The current framework for regulating silent and abandoned calls is set out in the Communications Act 2003.  The Act provides powers to Ofcom to take action against those who persistently misuse networks or services in a way that causes, or is likely to cause, unnecessary annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety, but which falls short of a criminal offence.

4.On 10 September 2008, Ofcom published a revised statement of policy on the persistent misuse of an electronic communications network or service, which tightened up the rules concerning the usage of ACS. The previous penalty of £5,000 was increased to £50,000 in April 2006. Ofcom has since then successfully pursued 9 cases against companies which were found to have generated unacceptably high levels of silent and or abandoned calls. It has issued financial penalties in each case and also has an ongoing enforcement programme.

5.Ofcom’s guidelines on persistent misuse of ACS can be found at: www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/persistent_misuse/statement/.  

6.Consumer helplines and website info:

BT’s (Easiserve) line where they speak to an advisor about silent calls
0800 661441

Ofcom’s complaints line
0300 123 3333
http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/tell-us/telecoms/privacy/silent-call/

Telephone Preference System (TPS) registration – where individuals can register their wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls.
0845 070 0707
http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/what/

7.BIS’ online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.

Homecare’s Occupational Therapist, Suzy Turner, looks at what can be done to prevent falling:

Falls prevention has become a hot topic, and not surprisingly, when more than 30% of people aged 65 or older fall each year.  What is more, two-thirds of those who experience a fall will fall again within six months, and the risk, which increases with age, is greater for women than for men.*
  
The Department of Health states that “falls are a major cause of disability and the leading cause of mortality due to injury in older people aged over 75 in the UK”

Whilst surgeons are skilled in repairing fractures and members of the rehabilitation team can improve muscle strength and boost endurance levels, building one’s confidence to get back into the bath or take a walk is more difficult.  We must acknowledge that there are both physical and psychological factors involved with a fall.   Frequently it is the psychological factors like fear of falling again and lost confidence that seriously holds older people back from enjoying an independent life at home.

As we know prevention is better than cure so here are some helpful tips to keep you fit and well.

Physical activity is one of the most effective ways of positively influencing our health.   Exercise improves balance, strength, mobility and general well-being. Keep yourself fit and active whether that is going out for a walk, or keeping on top of the household chores.

Some medications can make falls more likely to happen, consult your GP for further information.
Get rid of environmental hazards within the home e.g. trailing wires and loose rugs                                                                                    
· 
Hip protectors can reduce the risk of serious injury if you do fall. 
· 
Keep your home and garden well lit. If you have glasses wear them and attend regular eye checks if possible.
· 
Ensure meals have plentiful supplies of calcium and vitamin D to maintain strong bones.
· 
Drinking plenty of water helps prevent dehydration and constipation.
· 
Sloppy fitting shoes or slippers can increase the risk of falls. As we get older our feet become smaller. It’s a good idea to get your feet re-measured and treat yourself to some new shoes.

There is a great range of helpful products that can help to minimize falls around the house, or when you are out and about available from Homecare (www.homecare-products.co.uk), including the items you can win by entering this competition:  The Voice Alert Alarm can divert a person away from danger and alert a carer when an individual has fallen or is likely to fall.  Functions include four different alarm tones and the ability to record your own message or instructions in a voice familiar to the patient.  The Sensor Mat is used in conjunction with the Voice Alert Alarm and works when pressure comes on or off it when placed on the floor, by a bed or at the foot of the stairs.

Some of the excellent aids that have been developed are not available in high street mobility shops where items can often be old-fashioned and over-priced.   Homecare, from care specialists The Consortium, is an easy to use online shop and mail order service with hundreds of good products to help older people stay independent in their own homes.  The knowledgeable and friendly Customer Service team, based in the Wiltshire office, can help with orders or queries. 

Visit www.homecare-products.co.uk  or phone 0843 224 1200 for ordering, expert advice or to request a catalogue.

*Sources:  BJM (British Medical Journal) and Colorado State University.

The Secretary of State will begin recruitment for a successor in September, to have a new chair in place for the start of January 2011.

The Pensions Regulator will coordinate recruitment for its new chief executive with this timetable, to allow the new chair to be involved in selection of the chief executive.

Minister for Pensions, Steve Webb said:

“The regulator plays a crucial role protecting pension scheme members while ensuring Britain has a vibrant pensions industry.

“I have very much enjoyed working with David Norgrove.  I am grateful to him for completing, as planned, his second full three-year term and for the considerable contribution he has made. “

David Norgrove said:

“The regulator has built up a strong track record of delivering effective regulation through a range of economic circumstances, and I am confident that this resilience will continue in the future. I would also like to thank the regulator’s staff for their support over nearly six years.”

Mr Norgrove was appointed as the first chair of the Pensions Regulator in January 2005. He was reappointed in 2008, and will remain in post until his three-year term ends.

Background information

1. Primary legislation requires DWP’s Secretary of State to appoint a Chairman  of the Pensions Regulator. It also requires The Pensions Regulator to appoint  a Chief Executive, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State as to  terms and conditions.

2. David Norgrove was first appointed to the post of Pensions Regulator from  January 2005 for a term of three years. He was reappointed for a further three  year term from 01 January 2008.

3. Tony Hobman left the The Pensions Regulator in May this year to take up  post as Chief Executive of the Consumer Financial Education Body. Bill  Galvin is the regulator’s acting chief executive.

4. Recruitment to the post of Chairman of The Pensions Regulator is regulated  by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

5. The Pensions Regulator is the regulator of work-based pension schemes in the UK, with objectives to protect members’ benefits, promote good administration and reduce the risk of calls on the Pension Protection Fund. Its approach is risk-based focusing on education and enablement, with enforcement where appropriate. It has the ability to:

• collect information about pension schemes; through scheme returns, under the scheme funding regime and as well as statutory (including whistleblowing) reports;
• issue notices requiring actions to tackle non-compliance, prohibit trustees who are judged not fit and proper to carry out their duties or appoint independent trustees;
• direct pension schemes as to how to calculate their liabilities and the contributions required;
• issue a contribution notice where there is an attempt to avoid liabilities, or a financial support direction where the employer is a service company or insufficiently resourced.

Giles Coren and Sue Perkins have stepped back in time to 1975, for a four-part BBC TWO series and this accompanying book, to experience The Good Life for themselves.  In homage to Tom and Barbara, an ordinary suburban semi was transformed, and  two pigs, two goats and some chickens purchased. With experts on hand offering advice and guidance, they grow their own veg, bake their own bread and  try their hand at pottery. They customise a rotovator to provide their own transport. And their efforts are rewarded as they dine on their own homemade goats cheese and home grown produce, party on their own pea pod burgundy and step out  in stylish homemade finery.
In this book, find out how Giles and Sue lived The Good Life, and how you can to:

• Build a chicken pen

• Milk a goat

• Keep a pig

• Grow and cook your own veg

• Make your own pots

• Bake your own bread
Now a familiar TV team, Giles Coren and Sue Perkins first appeared together in a TV programme called Edwardian Supersize Me – in which they lived, ate and dressed as Edwardians for a week. It caught the imagination of viewers, and spawned two more entire series where we saw them eating their way through history, from Ancient Rome right up to the 1980s.

When not eating weird and wonderful historical delicacies with Giles, Sue is a comedian, radio and television presenter, actress, and writer. She appears on a range of popular panel and entertainment shows, including Radio 4’s Just a Minute, and BBC TWO’s QI and Have I Got News For You. She also won BBC talent show Maestro in 2008, culminating in her conducting three pieces at Proms in the Park.

Giles is a restaurant critic, newspaper columnist for The Times and Sunday Times and author. As well as writing a column for The Times under the pseudonym ‘Professor Gideon Garter’, which covers topics from his private life to politics.  He became a familiar TV face after he regularly appeared as a correspondent on Gordon Ramsey’s The F-Word in 2005

If you want to delve into the weird and wonderful while enjoying your time in California, just two short hours outside of Los Angeles lies Palm Springs. Famous for its golf hot spots, sensuous spas and idyllic honeymoons, it also harbours one of the best weird must-sees in the state. Only a short 20 minute drive up the hill takes you to a nearby desert area, Landers. Located on a magnetic vortex, is a dome shaped building built by George Van Tassel, The Integratron was originally a rejuvenation centre and time machine. The building has not only communicated with Extra Terrestrials, but apparently harbours a magic magnetic energy that leaves visitors stunned! If you want to truly experience the building’s magical energy then head for the Meteor Shower Parties which are sure to leave you buzzing! www.integratron.com

California’s vineyards not only produce some of the best wines in the world, but you can also have a wedding with a difference in their midst. Why not surround yourselves with beautiful Merlot and Pinot Noir vines as you say “I do”? A wedding at Gundlach Bundschu Winery has a luscious landscape as its backdrop and the romantic Cave Barrel Room for the most perfect private and intimate setting. www.gunbun.com/weddings

If you’ve got a thrill-seeking streak, you can experience the famous wine country at 120 mph! From the Russian River to Lake Sonoma, you can plummet over some of the most beautiful landscape from more than two miles up on your skydiving adventure before landing near the Alexander Valley Vineyards. www.skydivesf.com

Lake Shasta is the home to some spectacular caves, formed over 250 million years ago. Nowadays, you are able to hop on a catamaran and cruise over the crystal waters to reach them. You can continue your journey up into the hills, spying several of the animals that reside on the pristine mountains such as bald eagles, mountain lions and black bears. Once there, you can enjoy a picnic while the children get involved sluicing for gemstones and fossils. Who knows what they’ll find? http://lakeshastacaverns.com  

Forget party in the park, if you want to do California with a twist, then it’s all about Monopoly in the Park, and the world’s largest at that! Head to San Jose in California, and in the grounds of a spacious outdoor park, a gigantic 930 square foot Monopoly board with a pair of monster-sized dice awaits. To join in the fun, gamers wear the Monopoly pieces as headgear and move around the board after launching the oversized dice into the air. This game is great fun for families and, if parents get worn out, the park is the perfect place to unwind with a glass of California’s finest wine. www.monopolyinthepark.com

If, after Monopoly, you still haven’t had your toy fix, head to Chico in California for the Yo-Yo Museum. Not only are 80 years of yo-yos on display, but you can admire the world’s largest yo-yo weighing an impressive 256 pounds! That doesn’t sound like it is easy to play with! www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/3942

If you want to enjoy California’s sunny beach scene with a twist, Huntington Beach is the place for you! Not only is the beach sensationally sandy, but it is the World Record holder for the most riders on one surfboard. The Golden Coast successfully managed 40 riders on one giant board in 2005, and it had to be hoisted into the sea by crane! A great event to head to in the summer is the US Open Surfing Championships, so if you’re a budding surfer, see if you can rival that record! www.usopenofsurfing.com

Pasadena harbours a dark secret, waiting to be discovered. Built across a canyon linking the San Gabriel Mountains to the Los Angeles River, is the infamous Colorado Street Bridge. The monument is shrouded in mystery, as since 1913, it has been the location of numerous suicides. The admirable structure is now rumoured to be haunted, and visitors speak of a feeling of eeriness when passing over it.  www.legendsofamerica.com/ca-suicidebridge.html

In the North Hills, a 15 foot topiary poodle stands on Plummer Street and Hayvenhurst Avenue, created by resident Brian Welch. Named ‘Ivy Poodle’ the pooch is a true crowd pleaser and even wears a red ribbon collar to celebrate Christmas! www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/20439

Watts Towers in Los Angeles is a centre of art with a difference. Consisting of 17 different and diverse towers, the steel structures are adorned with mosaics made from any materials that were available to the artist, Simon Rodia, at the time. He had no access to any machinery, and so the towers were created using his own ingenuity and simple tools (including a washer’s belt and buckle!) www.wattstowers.us/watts_towers_views/index.htm

So these are the top 10 things to do in alternative California! And after your days of exploring everything the state has to offer, remember to unwind with a delicious glass of California wine, to ensure a truly Californian experience!

For more information on California Wines visit www.discovercaliforniawine.com