mobility
Are you or a loved one eligible for VAT Relief on footwear?
If you or a loved one have a long-term illness or disability, you may well know that certain helpful products and services can be purchased VAT-free. Items such as adjustable beds, stair lifts and wheelchairs all qualify, as does building work such as installing ramps or widening doors. But did you know that VAT Relief […]
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Helping older people enjoy the spring
Spring is in the air and soon the weather will be perfect for getting out in the garden, spending time in the park and just getting out and about in general. There is nothing more enjoyable than chatting with old acquaintances and friends on a warm spring morning after living in hibernation under blankets for […]
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Footwear choices for older people
Feet and the way people walk change as they get older. Some find their balance and mobility are impaired. So is there advice for everyone to help them stay comfortable and stable (as well as looking good!) in later life? We posed some questions we hear regularly to footwear retailer Brantano for their expert advice. […]
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How to help your parent live well with Multiple Sclerosis
Written by Rebecca Lenton While more than 100,000 people have Multiple Sclerosis in the UK there are many facts and fictions surrounding the condition that have led to common misconceptions. MS is not a fatal condition but as there is no cure a diagnosis does mean that the disease will slowly affect your parent’s neurological […]
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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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How to cope with your parent’s Parkinson’s diagnosis
Written by Rebecca Lenton Last year for Parkinson’s Awareness Week we featured two stories from a father and daughter who shared their experience of one man’s Parkinson’s diagnosis and the impact it had on their family. Chris’s father, our own Rebecca’s grandfather, Trevor struggled to maintain control over his life as his Parkinson’s began to […]
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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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Safe exercise in later life expands horizons
Our friend Kevin Morgan (aka FitOldDog) tells us how his training injury and other health issues, including an abdominal aortic aneurysm, led him to leave his career in science to set up Old Dogs in Training LLC. He shares his advice for exercise in later life and talks about ways to improve your parent’s mind […]
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How to safely lift your parent
Written by Rebecca Lenton One of our lovely readers, Jane, asked us the following question: “How can I and my husband safely, and confidently, lift his 89 year old mum upright out of her chair, onto her zimmer frame, and then back into her commode seat, without damaging our backs or her?” We don’t pretend […]
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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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