Health
How can you help your parent stay well for as long as possible and find their way through a complex health system?
Avoiding loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic
Updated September 2020 Loneliness amongst older people was a growing crisis before the arrival of COVID-19. Even though some services have been re-opened, the path of the virus means that we are likely to see the likes of community centres, libraries, restaurants and coffee shops providing limited if any services for some time to come. […]
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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, […]
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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 […]
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How to get food to your parents in times of coronavirus
This article has now been superseded by the latest advice on food and essentials shopping announced on 23 June 2020. You may still find some of the ideas here helpful, although many delivery services set up during lockdown of essential foods and cooked meals may be wound down now. With instructions to stay in […]
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How long does the coronavirus live on surfaces – and is my Amazon package a risk?
Here’s a useful graphic from the New England Journal of Medicine that shows how long the coronavirus can stay on various hard materials. It should be helpful if you or your family members are out and about, using public transport, pushing trollies around supermarkets, or sharing any facilities with other people. The graphic shows that […]
Read moreStaying fit when you’re socially distancing
A key difference between self-isolating and socially distancing is that you can still get out of the house and get some fresh air and exercise while you’re socially distancing. What’s important is to be as far away from other people as possible. Having taken a walk along the river today, I’ve found that’s pretty […]
Read moreWho should be practising social distancing?
UPDATE 24 March 2020: Everyone has been asked to stay home and if they need to go out for exercise, to buy food or to collect medicines, everyone is expected to stay 2 metres apart from others. This is UK Government guidance, published 16 March 2020, listing those who should practise social distancing to help […]
Read moreCovid-19 compared to cold, flu and allergies
Not sure whether you’ve got a cold or something more serious? Here’s a useful guide.
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What’s the situation with care homes and coronavirus?
With the Covid-19 virus threat moving fast, this is merely a snapshot of how government, care home owners and staff are approaching the challenge today. But it’s all useful to know when we’re worried about our loved ones. What’s the current advice? Older people and those with underlying health conditions are at most risk from […]
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With the end in mind – helping your loved ones plan ahead
When supporting an older loved one, it’s important to know if they have opinions about what treatment they would or would not want towards the end of life. The subject of what happens to our family members if they get unwell is not an easy one to think about, and we may understandably be reluctant […]
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