Quality of life
Discussing ideas to make the transition through retirement a good one for our parents now and ourselves later
Who are occupational therapists and how can they help our family?
Many of us meet occupational therapists for the first time when we have an older relative preparing to leave hospital. It’s not a job title that gives much away but occupational therapists are there to help people carry on their lives as well as possible. So who are they and what do they do? Occupational […]
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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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The health benefits of plants for your parent
This week’s storyteller is Clare Long. Clare, founder of Granny Dodo’s Gardens, shares how flowers can be more than just gifts for our parents, they can also bring enjoyment and brighten up daily life in a care home. My grandparents had a wonderful garden, full of flowers that my grandmother (affectionately nicknamed Granny Dodo) created […]
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Gardening tips for older people
Written by Kathy Lawrence Gardening can be a joy. It’s satisfying, can be productive and it’s very good exercise. Age makes some tasks harder – the digging, mowing and pruning – but with a bit of thought there’s still plenty that can be done at any age. The Horticultural Trade Association in the UK has […]
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How to damp proof your parent’s house
Written by Rebecca Lenton Protecting a home from damp and mould can be difficult. Whether your parents are managing their own home care or you’re trying to help them out, possibly from a distance, there are steps that everyone can take to ensure damp doesn’t damage the home or affect your parent’s health. Lindsey McManus, […]
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Mum refuses help – what can we do?
Written by Rebecca Lenton This week’s storyteller has chosen to be anonymous. Our storyteller talks about the dilemma of a mother who lives in a home that’s no longer suitable for her needs, but refuses to move out, move nearer or get help. When my parents moved from London to their cottage in a remote […]
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No more digging
My dad has always loved his garden, and I’ve always assumed that he will be tending it to the end. So it took me a long time to realise that despite all the treatment and care he’s received for problems large and small over the last few years, he’s not going to get back out […]
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A quick guide to the Senior Railcard and Disabled Persons Railcard
This article was published in 2016. For the latest information about Network Senior Railcards visit the website of your local provider, or take a look at our article on about the new Trainline Railcard. Older and disabled people are amongst those who can enjoy discounts on travelling by train by taking up railcard offers. Northern […]
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Choosing a car for the older driver
Throughout our lives our needs and desires change around what we want to drive. In this article Shân Hughes looks at choices for an easy, comfortable and economic drive for later years. There are many advantages to being a more mature driver. For starters, insurance is generally cheaper and the over-55s are generally involved in […]
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