Kathy Lawrence
How to make household tasks easier for elderly parents
Andrew Atkinson, Managing Director of Mobility Smart – an online independent living store – advises us on tools to help your parent manage at home if they have strength or mobility issues. Here are a few simple gadgets to help make independent living that much easier. Cleaning For an older parent cleaning tasks can take […]
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The health benefits of plants for your parent
This week’s storyteller is Clare Long. Clare, founder of Granny Dodo’s Gardens, shares how flowers can be more than just gifts for our parents, they can also bring enjoyment and brighten up daily life in a care home. My grandparents had a wonderful garden, full of flowers that my grandmother (affectionately nicknamed Granny Dodo) created […]
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What to look for in mobility aids for your parents
Katherine Pyne, creator of online disability shop designed2enable.co.uk, shares her advice for finding the right mobility aids to suit your parent’s needs as well as personal style. As our parents get older, their mobility may start to become affected. Becoming less mobile can lead to a loss of self-esteem and confidence. They may need support […]
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Adjusting to life in a wheelchair
Older parents can find themselves in a wheelchair for all sorts of health reasons after which life can change significantly from the norm. Katherine Pyne, creator of online disability shop designed2enable, found herself in this unexpected position at a younger age but her experience gives us an insight into the impact disability has on many […]
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Independent living with hearing loss
It can be a worry if your parent has significant hearing loss. Do you worry if they don’t answer the phone, and even rush round or send a neighbour to check if they’re all right? Or maybe they don’t hear the doorbell because the television is on too loud to hear. Today there are many […]
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Gardening tips for older people
Written by Kathy Lawrence Gardening can be a joy. It’s satisfying, can be productive and it’s very good exercise. Age makes some tasks harder – the digging, mowing and pruning – but with a bit of thought there’s still plenty that can be done at any age. The Horticultural Trade Association in the UK has […]
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How do I help my elderly parent bathe?
For anyone with limited mobility, enjoying a bath and shower can be difficult. We asked Annette Greenwood of family business Bath-Knight, inventors of the belted bath-lift, for some tips on choosing and funding bathroom aids so that parents can continue to enjoy bathing with dignity and confidence. Many elderly people struggle to bathe and sadly, […]
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How to damp proof your parent’s house
Written by Rebecca Lenton Protecting a home from damp and mould can be difficult. Whether your parents are managing their own home care or you’re trying to help them out, possibly from a distance, there are steps that everyone can take to ensure damp doesn’t damage the home or affect your parent’s health. Lindsey McManus, […]
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Would a homeshare scheme suit your parent?
According to the UK Office of National Statistics the number of people aged 85 and over is projected to reach 3.5 million by 2035, 2.5 times larger than in 2010. If the population continues to age at this rate the number of elderly who’ll need support will increase significantly. Programmes are growing around the country […]
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Mum refuses help – what can we do?
Written by Rebecca Lenton This week’s storyteller has chosen to be anonymous. Our storyteller talks about the dilemma of a mother who lives in a home that’s no longer suitable for her needs, but refuses to move out, move nearer or get help. When my parents moved from London to their cottage in a remote […]
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