Retirement living
When it’s time to move on from the family home, what are the choices for older people?
Saving money on your parents’ energy bills
Latest update for June 2020: For information about how to manage bills and get a better energy deal, visit Citizens Advice. This article has been updated in January 2019. Schemes and prices change all the time. For up-to-date information, it is worth visiting the Money Saving Expert’s website. We’ve searched far and wide to […]
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How to manage your parent’s property once they’ve moved out
There comes a time in our lives when we have to start thinking seriously about whether our parents can cope independently in their own home. This can be a stressful stage for both parent and child involving some difficult conversations to try to agree what’s for the best. Not only do families need to determine […]
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Where do retirement living apartments fit into our life plan?
By Kathy Lawrence Retirement apartments are springing up all over the place. In some countries these developments and larger retirement villages are commonplace and even part of people’s normal retirement plan. That’s not yet true in the UK, but do they represent a sensible move for people moving into retirement? At the age of 78 […]
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What are the retirement housing options for my parents?
Life is not a matter of one giant leap from independent living at home to taking up residence in a care home. The choices can be confusing though. We give you a starting point to explore what the options are for your parents and how to decide what they need at any point in their […]
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Is a pet for your parent a good idea?
Written by Rebecca Lenton Pets are often recommended as good companions for the lonely or housebound. What are the pros and cons of pet ownership as your parents grow frailer, and how can you help them to ensure their pet continues to be cared for, however circumstances change? For parents who are lonely or socially […]
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Retiring to the country – 8 things to discuss before your parents decide
Written by Kathy Lawrence Moving to a rural area can be a cherished dream for retirement. But what are the pitfalls and how can they be avoided? We asked for advice from the team behind the “Over the Hill” campaign, which aims to tackle rural isolation. Retiring to green fields after a life in the […]
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Summer energy saving tips for your parents
There will forever be tips out there for saving energy in the winter months, but did you know there are steps you can take to prevent your parent’s energy bill soaring in the summer? Whether your parents are turning up the air conditioning, using more water to run showers or using more electricity to power […]
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Heating guide for your parents and grandparents: how to stay warm and save money this winter
Updated October 2021 Britain’s elderly are hit the hardest by the cold at winter. In fact, according to Age UK, in winter an older person dies every seven minutes due to cold temperatures. It’s therefore crucial that their homes are a safe temperature. But for many older people on a limited budget the cost of […]
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How to make downsizing a good experience
Sarah Macnaught, founder of London-based home organising company Rightsize, shares her hints and tips for helping your parent decide what to keep, what to sell and what to give away when it comes moving their belongings from the family home. When downsizing becomes a pressing need for a parent, due to illness, bereavement, finances or […]
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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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