WORCESTERSHIRE residents aged over 55, facing a plethora of choices and decisions about their future, are being invited to go along to the biggest Retirement Roadshow in the county to help them through the maze of information and options open to them.

The 55+ Retirement Roadshow, run by the Worcestershire-based National Careline, is free to visit and takes place at the Town Hall, Kidderminster, on Saturday June 13 from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Organiser Barbara Davies said there has been so much interest from local and national organisations wanting to have stands and exhibits at the show it will be overflowing into the Corn Exchange.

She said: “The over 55s lead very busy and diverse lives. Some are looking after relatives at home - either their children who haven't left home or elderly relatives - some have relatives in a home, while others will be living an active retirement.

“Some will be facing redundancy while others will even be thinking of branching out into a new career.

“This group of people is the new ‘younger old’ and has access to many more varied choices about their future than in their parents’ day. Yet, with choices come decisions and the need for advice and help.

“There are lots of areas that concern this group of people such as keeping healthy and well, getting fitter, improving balance, and things such as pensions, tax, money, housing, heating, care, mobility, travel, work, medicines and legal issues to name a few.

“The question is what do people need and, when they need it, how do they access it?”

The roadshow offers a vast range of exhibitors offering help and advice on the relevant issues concerning people at this stage in their lives.

Mrs Davies said: “This year we are working with the local pharmaceutical committee and the NHS giving us the chance to cover more health issues at the show. Pharmacists at Boots, Tesco and others locally are participating in this show.”

She said the exhibitors can help with issues like adaptations to enable someone to say at home; keeping fit, improving balance and falls prevention; making sure a relative at home is taking correct medication; tax and income issues; how to re-skill and go back to work; volunteering and meeting new people and making friends.

Some exhibitors are offering 10 minute surgeries or consultations with their experts. To find out more and book an appointment, phone the National Careline in advance.

Mrs Davies added: “I cannot stress how important it is that people know they have choice and more control than they think they have and also that people can have a care/financial package that fits their individual needs."

• The National Careline is a not for profit company offering information about care and support for older people, their carers and their families.

• Based near Suckley on the Worcestershire/Herefordshire border it provides a portal that signposts users to various organisations including, government departments and support networks that will help create a clearer understanding of the care maze.

• The National Careline has no grant aid and raises funds by holding these roadshows. In doing so, it provides places where people can come and access free information on the many issues that concern people as they grow older, are in retirement or caring for someone.

• For more information ring 0800 0699 784, visit http://www.thenationalcareline.org/index.php, http://www.retirementroadshow.co.uk/index.php or email office@thenationalcareline.org