Quality of life
Discussing ideas to make the transition through retirement a good one for our parents now and ourselves later
Safe walking in winter for older people
Dressing in layers, adding grip to footwear and using a stick that’s the right height are all helpful ways to make going out in cold weather safe and enjoyable. The chilly bite of winter is on its way and the drop in temperature and icy conditions can pose a challenge to those who are more […]
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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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Improvements in accessibility in public transport
Public transport becomes more important to people who give up driving or can no longer walk far. How are public transport providers meeting the challenge of supporting older passengers and those with disabilities? The team at Britain’s largest bus operator, Stagecoach, describe changes for the better. Using public transport when you are getting older or […]
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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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Practical projects bring people together in Men’s Sheds
Workshop spaces where people can work side by side on personal and community projects are growing fast around the country. Men’s Sheds are a great opportunity to share and learn new skills, enjoy new achievements and make new friends. What are Men’s Sheds? Men’s Sheds, or Men in Sheds, are opening up at more than […]
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10 good reasons for older people to get into social media
Despite its overwhelming popularity and impact on everyday life, many older people still find the thought of using social media very intimidating. By helping parents take those first tentative steps to get online, you can play a key role in combating the appalling trend of loneliness that exists among the over 65s. Care home operator […]
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Tackling the emerging loneliness crisis for older men
Written by Kathy Lawrence The number of older men living alone is set to increase by 65% by 2030 according to a report published in October 2014. Andrew Kaye, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Independent Age, one of the organisations behind the report, discusses whether loneliness is inevitable. Hardly a week seems to go […]
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Is loneliness now an epidemic among the elderly?
Loneliness among the UK’s ageing population is widely publicised as a health hazard which can increase the risk of depression, dementia and heart attacks. The size of the loneliness challenge The Campaign to End Loneliness reports that 10% of those aged over 65 are chronically lonely while Age UK has found that almost a million […]
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How can we reduce loneliness among the elderly?
The When They Get Older team recently had the chance to contribute their expertise to a project run by Interact Arts Community Interest Company called “Behind Closed Doors” which focused on the issues faced by elderly who live on their own. We were asked to create a factsheet from our Loneliness Guide condensing the information […]
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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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