independence
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 do I help my elderly parent bathe?
For anyone with limited mobility, enjoying a bath and shower can be difficult. We asked Annette Greenwood of family business Bath-Knight, inventors of the belted bath-lift, for some tips on choosing and funding bathroom aids so that parents can continue to enjoy bathing with dignity and confidence. Many elderly people struggle to bathe and sadly, […]
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Would a homeshare scheme suit your parent?
According to the UK Office of National Statistics the number of people aged 85 and over is projected to reach 3.5 million by 2035, 2.5 times larger than in 2010. If the population continues to age at this rate the number of elderly who’ll need support will increase significantly. Programmes are growing around the country […]
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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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How to keep driving with renewed confidence
Take the Advanced Driving Test at 86? It’s a better option than hanging up the driving keys through lack of confidence as Shân Hughes, who’s a supporter of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, explains. As the population gets older people have to make some hard decisions about driving. The car is a symbol of ability, […]
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How to choose the right mobility scooter
Written by Rebecca Lenton When a parent begins to have issues with their mobility it can be a hard thing for them to accept and adjust to. If they’re having trouble getting out and about unaided it may be time for them to invest in a mobility scooter to help them on their way. If […]
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Preparing for live-in care – what you need to know
If you are in the position of having to arrange care for an older relative who can no longer look after themselves, it can be an emotional and stressful time. You’ll want to ensure that they can continue to live independently for as long as possible rather than going into a home, which 97%1 of […]
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How can MySupportBroker help your parent coordinate care?
Written by Rebecca Lenton Founded in 2010 MySupportBroker CIC is a national social enterprise helping to bridge the gap between health and social care by bringing together local people with personal experience of managing long term health conditions with those who need guidance in sourcing and coordinating their own care and support. We talked to […]
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How to keep your parent safe and prevent wandering
Wandering can be a common problem as our parents get older and perhaps have mental health challenges to cope with. Dementia is often the cause of wandering in later life which brings its own difficulties in terms of managing your parent’s safety and independence. Whether your parent has developed a tendency to wander away from […]
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