Quality of life
Discussing ideas to make the transition through retirement a good one for our parents now and ourselves later
Are films a form of reminiscence for ageing parents?
Written by Rebecca Lenton Eleanor Bryson, from Memory Bank, shares how watching archive footage of the past has helped older people and those with dementia recall memories and communicate with their loved ones about the lives they once led. Memory Bank, an innovative series of films spanning six decades, was created as a resource to […]
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Autumn outings soothe mum’s dementia
This week’s storyteller is Hannah Davies. Hannah shares how she’s learnt to embrace the changes in her mum’s health as her dementia progresses. Autumn has arrived for my seaside town, and whilst we still get a sunshine filled morning or afternoon there’s no mistaking that the temperature is dropping along with the leaves. I notice […]
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Helping parents to avoid depression
With depression known to be a real risk in an ageing population, there are many ways that we can help our parents to keep active and independent to stave off the gloom. Our parents can become depressed for many reasons. Losing friends and loved ones is an obvious cause, but loneliness through lack of human […]
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When saving stuff becomes hoarding
This week’s storyteller has chosen to be anonymous. A lifetime’s tendency to keep stuff just in case can reach epic proportions in old age. Is it a problem? When we visit H’s aunt these days, we’re not invited across the threshold to her flat. We were when she first moved in, although even then it […]
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5 tips for preventing falls in the home
Statistics show that falls in the home that mean a trip to A&E are often the first step to losing independence and a move into care. Nursing professional Vince Baiera shares his experiences in helping older people to avoid having those falls. With more than six years’ experience as an ICU Nurse at some of […]
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How to keep cool in hot weather
Written by Rebecca Lenton You wouldn’t think it possible that your parent could be too hot in British weather yet with the rising temperatures we’ve been experiencing it’s good to be aware of the way heat can affect the elderly and how to help them stay cool. Who is most vulnerable to heat-related illness? If […]
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Why regular walks are good for you and your parent
Written by Rebecca Lenton If you read certain newspapers or visit the BBC’s news website regularly you’ll know there’s a constant stream of studies reporting on the efficacy of various lifestyle regimes. We’ve gathered a few together that suggest that taking time out for a walk every day is a very good idea. Preventing dementia […]
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How to find the right travel insurance for your parent
Ashley Shepherd, Managing Director of Over50choices.co.uk, takes an in-depth look at the factors your parents should consider when choosing travel insurance, providing a helpful guide on how to find the right policy to suit their needs. The cost of travel insurance increases as we age – a sad fact considering that for many of our […]
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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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