Health
How can you help your parent stay well for as long as possible and find their way through a complex health system?
Why and how to exercise at home in later years
Physical activity of any sort is highly recommended for everyone at any age. Even when gym workouts seem far behind us, keeping moving is important. Exercise is cited as an important tool in protecting hearts, joints and our immune systems. It can help diabetics with their blood sugar levels, promote better sleeping patterns and increase […]
Read more
Foods to boost the immune system in times of coronavirus
A strong immune system can be key to fighting off the worst of the coronavirus. That’s why people at risk of becoming seriously ill are considered to be all those likely to have weakened immune systems, commonly defined as the over 70s and those with ‘underlying health conditions’, including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity. […]
Read more
Funerals during the coronavirus lockdown in the UK
The loss of a loved one is hard at any time. Now with social distancing rules in force, organising a funeral and paying respects has become a difficult and heart-breaking task. The UK government continues to issue and update guidance for managing funerals safely. This is the advice from the 19 April 2020. If guidance […]
Read more
Help at home after hospital from the Royal Voluntary Service
What help is available to older people leaving hospital? If your parent has been in hospital for a while, they may need help to get back into life at home. When they’re ready to go home they should be connected to a number of healthcare and care professionals to get the right services in place. […]
Read more
Age as a risk in the coronavirus pandemic
The subject of risk is as confusing as anything else around the coronavirus. With new knowledge being gleaned every day, the advice given to the public can change as fast. The risk we’re talking about here is not the likelihood of catching the disease, but the probability of being severely affected by it. All older […]
Read more
Changes to Care Act 2014 guidance during the coronavirus pandemic
The UK government has determined that the provisions of the Care Act 2014 should be eased during the current crisis. New guidance sets out how local authorities can use the new Care Act provisions, created under the Coronavirus Act 2020, to prioritise care and support for those who need it most. The government is stressing that […]
Read more
Avoiding loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic
Loneliness amongst older people was a growing crisis before the arrival of COVID-19. Now many of our parents are wisely staying at home completely, or following current government advice to only go out for walks and essential foods and medicines. The usual support and interest groups are on hold. Community centres have closed. Libraries aren’t […]
Read more
Where to go for government, health and care advice in the coronavirus crisis
This page is devoted to links for official and expert information for everyone with questions about specific health conditions and what we can and can’t do in the crisis. We will be updating the page regularly as more advice becomes available. Government advice and resources The UK government offers advice and requirements primarily for England, […]
Read more
How the worldwide healthcare industry has responded to the Coronavirus outbreak
While ordinary citizens have been wondering how best to keep themselves and their families safe in the era of the Coronavirus, it’s the medical industry that is on the frontline, battling this new and unprecedented global threat. In a time of chaos of anxiety, the NHS has been called on to respond quickly. But what […]
Read more
How to get food to your parents in times of coronavirus
With instructions to stay in to protect yourself and family from the COVID-19 virus, how can we make sure our parents are getting the food they need? Here are some thoughts that apply today, but with the rate of change it will be a good idea to check latest status when you want to place […]
Read more