Health issues
Meeting the physical challenges of later years
The plight of Parkinson’s
Written by Rebecca Lenton In honour of Parkinson’s Awareness Week 2013 we have a special story from the grandchild of Britain’s leading 20th-century naval historian whose death marked the loss of a great man who gave his all as a naval officer, father, grandfather and historian. Parkinson’s made him pay the price for his amazing […]
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In, out, shake it all about
This week’s storyteller has chosen to be anonymous.AKA the endless saga of life with and without a catheter. An eurgh yuk ow sort of story. This is a story that began back in the days before I started paying attention. In those golden years when my parents could get in the car and drive themselves […]
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When a heart attack leads to angioplasty
This week’s storyteller has chosen to be anonymous. An angioplasty unblocks arteries and puts a stent in place to keep the artery open. It can be a swift solution to a heart attack. But what exactly happens? Here’s one experience. I had a heart attack. The strange thing is that I wasn’t absolutely sure that […]
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What happens during a cataract operation?
Operations to remove cataracts and improve eyesight are carried out every day across the country. Knowing that doesn’t necessarily lessen the fear of what exactly is going to happen. John Harrison, owner of the Allotment Garden, describes his experience to help others about to go through the same procedure. I was sitting in the car […]
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Mobility scooters: a guide for the beginner
A mobility scooter is likely to be a one-time acquisition and one that we’ve never been involved with before, so it can be hard to know where to start. Here’s a quick guide to some of the areas to consider when you’re finding the right vehicle for your parent. The decision to purchase a mobility […]
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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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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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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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