Kathy Lawrence
How to successfully request flexible working hours
From June 30th this year, anyone who has been with the same employer for at least 26 weeks is legally entitled to make a written or verbal request for flexible working hours. For many who’re juggling work, family and caring commitments this is a welcome move forward. If you’re considering applying for flexible working hours […]
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How can flexible working hours help me look after my elderly parent?
As our parents get older they may start to face various health challenges. It can be difficult to fit their hospital and GP appointments into a full-time work schedule but with recent changes to flexible working legislation you can now apply to amend your contracted hours in order to help your parents without having to […]
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How to cope with bereavement
Written by Rebecca Lenton Grief is something no one is ever really prepared for. Learning how to live with loss can be difficult and bereavement affects everyone differently but finding the right support can sometimes feel like an uphill struggle. We share where to find help, your rights to workplace leave and tips on how […]
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Ageing parents – who cares?
The number of people aged 85 and over in the UK has shot up in recent years and it’s predicted to double in the next two decades. As they get older, people often need more care and support. But social services are struggling, communities are less cohesive than they used to be and families are […]
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Balancing dementia care with a full-time career
This week’s storyteller is Marianne Talbot. Marianne, Director of Studies in Philosophy at Oxford University, shares how she managed to care for a Dad with dementia and later a Mum with Alzheimer’s whilst working as a full-time academic. I was expecting people for supper when the phone rang. Dad had been rushed into hospital. I […]
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Fresh ideas on balancing work and eldercare
Written by Rebecca Lenton Women in their 50s and 60s are working longer whilst taking the lion’s share of care for ageing family members. As career opportunities begin to slim with care responsibilities often over spilling into working hours it’s clear that older women can have a tough time of it in the work place […]
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Tips to continue business as usual when your parent needs you
Written by Rebecca Lenton Taking time out from work to support your parent because they need you to visit isn’t easy. If you’ve deadlines to meet and you have to be available to colleagues and clients, it gets even harder. Here are a few tips for keeping in the loop wherever you are – in […]
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Tackling all those to-dos
Work, home and play can keep us busy enough. But when we add supporting ageing parents into the mix, our to-do lists can start to look overwhelming. Personal and professional development coach Rhiannon Ford takes us through the 3Ds technique to lighten the load. Most of us feel a little overwhelmed at times with what […]
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I am ham. Or jam
Written by Kathy Lawrence Today we’re having children later and seeing our parents live to a greater age. It’s bound to affect our lifestyles – perhaps more than we were expecting. One day you’re running around after your children, rushing to open evenings or sports and after school clubs, and playing taxi to a burgeoning […]
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Slowing down
Written by Kathy Lawrence The changes that our parents are undergoing can be frustrating for everyone concerned. Understanding what’s happening and being patient is important for our relationships. It’s really hard to do. Slowing down to the speed of ageing parents. For most of us life is a rush. We’ve probably rushed to find the […]
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