Kathy Lawrence
Caring for your parents financially: tips to guarantee them the best quality of life
Collaborative Post We all think about retirement as a golden period of low stress, free time, hobbies that you never seemed to have time for, and endless vacation. If you are thinking about retirement in that way, you are probably also planning where your home will be by then and what support you will have. […]
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Coronavirus crisis creates new ways to scam older people
While ‘traditional’ crimes such as burglary seemed to be on the wane during the lockdown, there’s been no rest for the scammers. New attempts to relieve the population of their cash include: Fake NHS Test and Trace messages, asking people to call a premium rate number, make a purchase, provide social media log-ins, hand over […]
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How to help ageing parents with debt
Collaborative Post Debt among over-65s is on the rise. It’s a big cause of stress and depression in older people, and can take its toll on many people’s physical health. If your parents are struggling with debt, here are some of the ways in which you can help. Why older people get into debt There […]
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Can our parents now enjoy some safe retail therapy on the High Street?
With lockdown easing, and people being positively encouraged to get back onto the High Street to save ailing businesses, our older family and friends may be tempted back out if they’re not actively shielding. However, older people, especially if they live with a number of health issues, remain at risk of reacting badly if they […]
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Mental capacity and Covid-19
There have been some changes to the way that people lacking mental capacity are cared for during the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK Government has published guidance on the key points of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) in England and Wales, and what has changed temporarily. The changes centre around […]
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A visit to the dentist in social distancing times
I went to the dentist today. A few months that really wouldn’t have been worthy of a blog, unless I was feeling particularly self-indulgent. But in these bizarre times, it was another bite of unreality. I actually had no idea dentists were open again for normal appointments. And I hadn’t checked my really empty diary […]
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Practical ways to encourage older people to drink more fluids
Ever been in one of those conversations where you’re trying to encourage your older relative to drink more water? But they don’t want to because they’re not thirsty, or they’ll be getting up in the night even more often than they already do? Or they won’t be told by their children what to do? Getting […]
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Lessons from a story of financial elder abuse
When an older relative is struggling to manage their money and their daily household, it’s often time for a responsible and caring relative to step in. Many apply officially for Lasting Power of Attorney and some unofficially start to help managing the money. Problems do sometimes occur when the guardians of the money are tempted […]
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How to make an elderly relative feel safe when you’re looking after them at home
Looking after an older relative means plenty of plate juggling, ensuring they attend doctors’ appointments, take their medication, eat well, and so on. But one of the most important parts of caring for an elderly loved one is making them feel safe, especially given the current coronavirus pandemic. There are myriad ways you can help […]
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Will the post-virus world be kinder to the old and vulnerable?
Editorial While living with a pandemic has been strange and difficult, it gives us an opportunity to reset attitudes and behaviours towards the older members of society. But there are many questions with unpredictable answers. The first question of course is when will there be a post-covid world? For those going back to work and […]
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