helping seniors live well in later life

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Tag: Life Admin

  • Christmas shopping

    Christmas shopping

    If you’re not yet finished with your Christmas shopping, we’ve listed some websites below to help you.   

    If you want to help a charity, why not go with one of the big charities who sell new items online.  Have a look at these three as an example.  Or if you are looking for a secret santa why not pop into your local charity shop and get something bigger for your money? 

    https://giftshop.redcross.org.uk

    https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/christmas-gifts

    https://giftshop.bhf.org.uk/giftshop/christmas-gifts

    For unusual and personalised gifts, we love www.etsy.com where you can find things for children, adults and pets!    You can type in ‘gifts for him’ for example and it will give you suggestions.  It’s very good! 

    You can’t beat a bookshop for a present and https://www.waterstones.com is an obvious one, but you can also buy from www.abebooks.co.uk  which amalgamates independent sellers.   They also have used books.

    Some of our tried and tested favourites are:

    www.Notonthehighstreet.com

    www.dontbuyherflowers.com

    www.findmeagift.co.uk  – Wind up sprouts anyone?!

    www.iwantoneofthose.com

    But don’t forget your local shops too, or those local to the person you are buying for.  Many will do delivery if you give them a call.  So definitely support independent shops where you can!

  • Stories

    Stories

    One of the things that we love the most about our job is that we are able to hear our client’s stories.  It’s a great privilege.  We hear about their families, their jobs and their hopes and fears.  We find out about family rifts and reconciliations and sometimes we know things their children don’t know (ssshh don’t tell them!).  It’s great fun, and is a great bonding experience.

    Someone else we know who gets to hear people’s stores on a daily basis, is Alice, from the Story Keepers.  I’m regularly suggesting to my clients to get their stories recorded so they aren’t lost, and Alice does this perfectly.   You can get your story recorded just on audio, or on video, or have a book, or a combination.  If you have lots of photos and visuals then a book or video works well.  If you have music and visuals, then a film is a must.   You can also get your own ‘desert island discs’ compilation put together.  

    Even better, something like this works really well as a Christmas (or birthday) present for a loved one.   Check out Alice’s website to find out more and preserve your loved one’s legacy for years to come https://www.thestorykeepers.co.uk/services

  • Energy – confusing?

    Energy – confusing?

    Do you find your energy bills confusing?  You are not alone.    There is far too much jargon involved so we thought we would explain a few things that might help simplify things.

    Fixed price v variable tariffs

    Deciding whether to go for a  fixed or variable is like betting on the horses and taking out insurance at the same time.  It’s a gamble, but it gives you peace of mind.   The variable may go up or down in the time you are in the contract but with a fixed tariff you know the standing charge and unit rates you are paying.  Don’t forget it doesn’t fix the exact amount you pay, it fixes those unit prices and the standing charge.  No one can predict exactly how much energy you will use in the year, even you!

     Paying for your energy in equal monthly payments v paying for what you use

    Most people choose to pay their estimated annual usage in 12 equal monthly instalments.  This means you pay the same every month.  If you use more energy in those 12 months, your monthly price will go up the following year to reflect the extra usage and to pay off the previous year’s deficit.  If you use less then your energy company will give it back to you.  UW automatically put any credit balance in their customers’ accounts in the 13th month, but most other companies want you to ask them for it and we’ve heard stories of people having to ask multiple times.   However, if you would prefer your energy company not to have your money up front, then opt to pay for what you use each month.  You may need to commit to a smart meter depending on the energy company, but you will definitely need to read your meter at the end of every month for it to be accurate.

    Price cap

    This is set by Ofgem, the energy regulator, and it only affects customers on the variable tariffs and is to protect them from paying astronomical prices if they don’t switch.  The price cap is not a limit on your total bill. It restricts the price per unit (or kWh) and standing charge that energy companies can charge you.  When you hear in the media about an annual cost for the price cap (£X per year) this is based on an average usage.  And none of us are average, so your actual cost may be lower or higher. 

    Comparing energy costs

    If you decide to look at switching, remember to look at the annual cost rather than the pence per kilowatt hour.  This is because the annual cost includes the standing charge which is another variable.

    There isn’t a lot of difference between energy companies’ prices these days, but there is a big difference in the extra perks you can get such as other money-saving or environmental initiatives and of course their customer service.  So ask your friends who they use.

    If you want help looking at your energy bills, we can help.

  • Christmas made easy – part 1

    Christmas made easy – part 1

    This is a repost of our blog in November 2022, because we think it’s worth repeating.  Part 2 will be next week.

    It’s all about making lists.  So get a pen and paper ready, or a note section on your mobile phone and make some lists.

    1. Make a list of all of those presents you want to buy, and who for.  If you haven’t started ordering yet, we recommend doing so right away!  Leaving anything to the last minute is always stressful.  Mark off when you have bought something, and if you need to go to a shop, put a diary note to go to the exact shop, or to go on a browsing trip,  so it doesn’t get forgotten.
    2. Once you’ve ordered a present online, make a note of where you ordered it from, how they are sending it, and when you expect it to arrive.  Also keep a folder in your emails for all of the email order confirmations.   Then you can follow up if it doesn’t arrive when you’re expecting it to.
    3. Check last posting dates https://www.royalmail.com/christmas/last-posting-dates to make sure you won’t miss it if you are sending internationally.
    4. Make a time to wrap presents and write cards.  Again, put this in your diary.  Put Post-its on the front of envelopes of any cards of people you are going to see in person, with the date you’ll see them and put them in order by the front door, so you can take them with you when you are seeing them.
    5. Do the same with presents, so you can save on postage.
    6. If you need to post presents, try to go to the post office first thing in the morning and not on a Saturday, to avoid lengthy queues.

    We help our clients buy, wrap and post presents and cards.  Don’t leave it to the last minute, get in touch if you would like help.

  • What is a superconnector, and why do you need one?

    What is a superconnector, and why do you need one?

    A super-connector is someone who knows the right people to help you, when you need help.  These are people who have access to a wide network of people to call on to assist where necessary.  Super-connectors are people that when you say ‘X happened to me today and I think I need to do Y’, they know just the right person to put you in touch with. As you get older there are many different people and professions out there who can help you, but the great news is you only need one as they can usually refer you to others.  Examples of super-connectors are:

    • Healthcare professionals
    • Financial adviser
    • Private client lawyer / will writer
    • Estate agent
    • Care agency
    • Social care consultant
    • Someone like us!

    But just because someone is one of those professions, it doesn’t make them a super-connector.   Super-connectors are generally helpful people who go out of their way to help others.  If you’re reading this you already know a super-connector – us!   So reach out if you need anything and we’ll connect you to the correct person!

  • Retirement Villages

    Retirement Villages

    Choosing to live in a retirement village / assisted living can be a fantastic solution for many older people who are looking to downsize, but it’s not right for everyone.  Here are some of the benefits:

    1. Community and Social Interaction:  If you live far from friends and family, there are built in social networks and plenty of other people ‘in the same boat’.  Regular social activities and clubs help build the sense of community.

    2. Safety and Security: Enhanced security measures such as gated entrances, 24-hour security personnel, and surveillance systems, making it a safe living option. Many villages also offer emergency response systems and medical staff on call, providing peace of mind for both residents and their families.

    3. Maintenance-Free Living: Maintaining a home can become physically demanding and stressful.  If you buy within a retirement complex they will usually have a handyman on site, and if you choose to rent, you have even fewer worries about any repairs that are needed.

    4. Financial Predictability: Although there is a wide range in the cost of retirement village options, there should not be any unforeseen costs as residents often pay a monthly fee that covers maintenance, amenities, and sometimes even utilities.

    5. Freedom and Independence:  Contrary to the misconception that retirement villages limit freedom, they are designed to promote independence. Residents can maintain their own schedules, come and go as they please, and continue engaging in activities outside of the village. At the same time, they benefit from having support and care available when needed. This balance between independence and assistance makes retirement village life appealing to those who want to maintain control over their day-to-day activities while having access to help.

    So if you are looking to simplify your life and live in a community-focused, maintenance-free environment, choosing a retirement village can offer an improved quality of life as you get older.

    If you need help with downsizing, we can help.

  • Making Broadband Simple

    Making Broadband Simple

    If you want to have access to the internet you need a device and to make the device work well and fast in your home, you need broadband.   But what if you haven’t had it before?  We come across clients regularly who don’t have it, so it’s not as uncommon as you might think.

    Broadband bamboozles us all, but imagine if you haven’t had it before.  There are so many technical terms so how do we explain what they all are?  And of course we want to make sure our older clients are not picking a provider who is going to make things even more confusing if they have to call for any technical assistance.

    This is why we work with UW.  Not only can we help explain things to our clients, but the technical and customer services look after our clients very well.  We always make sure to put our clients on the Priority Services Register, so they are attended to quickly especially if they have a Careline device or need the phone to connect to family (they may not have a mobile device). 

    If you would like to talk to us about how UW can help you get connected with broadband (or to change supplier), please let us know.

  • What is Careline?

    What is Careline?

    Careline is a personal alarm service used throughout the care industry to help people live independently.  Most people have a pendant or watch device which is remotely attached to a phone line and can dial when you press the pendant to alert loved ones, or call a carer or the emergency services, depending on how it is set up.  There are also more sophisticated versions which can be worn as watches, and can detect automatically if you fall. This is also the case with certain versions of Apple Watches.  Technology is changing all the time and all sorts of other devices to monitor you or your loved ones to ensure safety are out there.

    You can read more about Careline here www.careline.co.uk or contact your local council or Age UK who can also advise.

  • Top tips for WhatsApp as you get older

    Top tips for WhatsApp as you get older

    If after last week’s blog you decided to get WhatsApp, you might need some lessons in how to use it.  We have some tips for you to make it easier.

    • If someone sends you a message that you want to find again you can star it (by tapping and holding the message and then selecting ‘star’).  And then in the chat for that person you can click on the three dots at the top of the screen and go to view contact where you’ll find the starred messages.
    • Sometimes you know someone sent you a link and you can’t find it so you can repeat the above with the three dots and go to media, links and docs and see all the photos and videos (media), docs (other attachments like pdfs or word docs etc) or links (websites) from there.  Much less to scroll through!
    • You can actually use WhatsApp on your computer.  You have to link the two together from the WhatsApp app on your phone by going to the home screen on the app and clicking on the three dots again, and then going to linked devices and press link a device.  Then follow the instructions.

    If all of that sounds a bit technical, we promise it isn’t once you’ve got used to it.  Ask a teenager to help, or give us a call!

  • Using WhatsApp to Keep in Touch

    Using WhatsApp to Keep in Touch

    Why is WhatsApp good to use to keep in touch?

     If you have a mobile and you’re not using WhatsApp, then it might be an idea to think about using it, especially if you have grandchildren and even more so if they live abroad.  Why is it a good idea?

    • Send and receive photos and videos easily using WiFi
    • Talk to your family and friends abroad free over WiFi
    • Use the groups feature to get lots of people’s news or discussions in one go, for instance with all the different members of your family or with the members of a class or group you are in

    You will feel more involved in what is going on in the lives of your friends and family.  Feeling better connected is always a benefit emotionally which helps with general wellbeing.