Health
How can you help your parent stay well for as long as possible and find their way through a complex health system?
Oral hygiene and caring for teeth in later years
Once upon a time on a visit to my bedridden dad at his care home, he asked if I would clean his teeth as the carers hadn’t had time to do so. Of course, said I, and gathered up a bowl and some water, his toothbrush and toothpaste and a towel, ready for some in-mouth […]
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What you need to know about pre-paid funeral plans
From the end of July 2022 new regulations have come into force in the UK pre-paid funeral market, with the aim of ensuring higher standards and better consumer protection. What was the problem? Funerals can be surprisingly expensive, even if you just want to keep it simple, and many people don’t want that cost falling […]
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How heat affects sundowning in dementia
Temperatures in the UK have reached record-breaking highs this summer. The heatwave poses a risk to everyone’s health, especially those living with dementia, as they are at greater risk of dehydration, tiredness and behavioural changes – including ‘sundowning’. What is sundowning? ‘Sundowning is a state of confusion many of those living with dementia experience in […]
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How caregivers can ensure a safe environment for those with memory loss
Watching someone you love grapple with memory loss can be both terrifying and heartbreaking. Sometimes it can feel as if the person you knew is slipping away, and you may well find yourself assuming roles and responsibilities you never anticipated. This often includes stepping up and stepping in to ensure the safety of your loved […]
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The benefits of massage for seniors
As people age, their muscle mass gradually declines and their ligaments become less elastic. This is often demonstrated by altered walk and posture, as well as the development of a hunching and slouching habit. Massage is one technique that could strengthen muscles and enhance health. It has potential to boost immunity, enhance blood flow, and […]
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How your eyes change as you age – and how to look after them
Collaborative Post Ageing is a natural process that everyone, naturally, goes through. There are some things about ageing with which many of us are familiar: greying hairs, occasionally stiffer joints, even changes to sleeping habits. But there are some changes we may not be expecting, and which can be quite disturbing when experienced for the […]
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Worried about dementia? Here are 5 things to look out for
Collaborative Post The thought of someone close to you developing dementia is something no one wants to experience. However, as people are living longer, it has become an increasingly prominent condition. Every person is different and there is no way of knowing fully how the disease will affect each individual. if you or a loved […]
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Sports to try in retirement
Collaborative Post When it’s time to retire, a whole new chapter of life begins. This is one where the world truly is your oyster and you can do all the things you never got the chance to before. This could include travelling the world, learning a new skill or even trying a new sport. Picking […]
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Is walking the right step in your journey through a healthy life?
We find the advice everywhere. Exercise is good for you, and continued exercise will help you enjoy a healthier old age. In the UK, that means most of us are recommended to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week, whether that’s brisk walking, dancing, swimming, water aerobics or moderate cycling. How much […]
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Facing insomnia: I tried Sleepio
I’m a chronic insomniac. I get off to sleep easily enough, but I don’t stay asleep. After waking and going back to sleep several times in the first part of the night, I get about four hours in and realise I’m too awake to go back to sleep again. Over the years (and it has […]
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