coronavirus
Eldercare news in June 2020
A roundup of useful services, tips and trends to help you care for your older family and friends. Dementia radio is a hit for all ages Do ethnicity and belief mean greater risk for coronavirus? Local authority and social care ombudsman back online Vaccines and who should get them Why we should keep the toilet […]
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Coronavirus crisis creates new ways to scam older people
While ‘traditional’ crimes such as burglary seemed to be on the wane during the lockdown, there’s been no rest for the scammers. New attempts to relieve the population of their cash include: Fake NHS Test and Trace messages, asking people to call a premium rate number, make a purchase, provide social media log-ins, hand over […]
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Can our parents now enjoy some safe retail therapy on the High Street?
With lockdown easing, and people being positively encouraged to get back onto the High Street to save ailing businesses, our older family and friends may be tempted back out if they’re not actively shielding. However, older people, especially if they live with a number of health issues, remain at risk of reacting badly if they […]
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Mental capacity and Covid-19
There have been some changes to the way that people lacking mental capacity are cared for during the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK Government has published guidance on the key points of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) in England and Wales, and what has changed temporarily. The changes centre around […]
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A visit to the dentist in social distancing times
I went to the dentist today. A few months that really wouldn’t have been worthy of a blog, unless I was feeling particularly self-indulgent. But in these bizarre times, it was another bite of unreality. I actually had no idea dentists were open again for normal appointments. And I hadn’t checked my really empty diary […]
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Will the post-virus world be kinder to the old and vulnerable?
Editorial While living with a pandemic has been strange and difficult, it gives us an opportunity to reset attitudes and behaviours towards the older members of society. But there are many questions with unpredictable answers. The first question of course is when will there be a post-covid world? For those going back to work and […]
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Tips on updating wills and LPAs while social distancing
While many people are hoping for the end of lockdown restrictions, for the older and vulnerable, social distancing remains the best option. Yet it continues to be important to keep estate planning, wills and provision for future challenges up to date. That includes putting measures in place to make life easier for all the family […]
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My mum’s self-isolating and I’m worried about her state of mind
Dear Lesley I can’t stop worrying about my mum during this lockdown. She’s 85 so she needs to stay at home, and people locally have been great at getting her bits of shopping and her meds and leaving them at her door. The trouble is, she’s not used to being on her own all day, […]
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Foods to boost the immune system in times of coronavirus
A strong immune system can be key to fighting off the worst of the coronavirus. That’s why people at risk of becoming seriously ill are considered to be all those likely to have weakened immune systems, commonly defined as the over 70s and those with ‘underlying health conditions’, including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity. […]
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Funerals during the coronavirus lockdown in the UK
Update 28 May 2020 As the UK starts to come out of lockdown, the government has published new guidance for England. The advice is much the same as we’ve outlined below. Funerals are still limited in numbers attending and social distancing must be observed. Online books of condolence are one of the ways that are […]
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