helping seniors live well in later life

033 3014 7053

Tag: Organising

  • Hacks for seniors

    Hacks for seniors

    Getting older can be a bit annoying. If you have osteoarthritis, you can lose your grip; if you have declining eye sight, you can’t see things as clearly; and your balance may have started to falter.  So here are some easy things that might help you: 

    • Get a small rubber mat or a plastic gripper tool to help you open jars and things.  Often turning it is still hard but if you push a little to the right with the gripper and to the left with your other hand, it can become really easy.  
    • Use a lazy susan in a cupboard so you can get to all your bottles and jars when it becomes harder to reach for things.  
    • If you use shower gel in the shower but handling the bottle is tricky, get a pump action top.  Or if you still like soap, put it in a thin sock, which will make it much easier to grip.  
    • Shower caddies that hang over the taps or levers might save you from slipping if that stops you reaching for stuff.  Even better, if balance is an issue do make sure you have grip handles installed and also a shower seat.  
    • If you can’t always see remote control buttons then you can put a dot of nail varnish on the ones you want to use. In fact, nail varnish is great for marking keys too, so if you are always fumbling between two that look similar, use nail varnish on one of the keys.   
    • Another thing that works for the remote control is to get someone to put masking tape over all the buttons you don’t use, and you can then see the ones you need much more easily.  
    • Get rid of all your rugs – they are the worst trip hazard ever! 
    • If you have an Alexa you can set medication and other reminders.  If you don’t, you can use your smartphone.   I’ve done these for years! 

    We hope you’ve found these useful, and if you need a hand with setting up any of the above, let us know, we can help. 

  • Today is organise your home office day!

    Today is organise your home office day!

    I’ve found it necessary to rent an office twice during the 21 years of having my own business. On the first occasion I needed space for staff, and on the second my home just didn’t have room for a desk. However, much more of my work now is done at my clients’ homes, and my own home can now accommodate a desk.  

    Having an office at home, whether you work for yourself, are employed, or need a dedicated office space when you are retired, can become a dumping ground for papers and such like.  I find I become unproductive if I have too much around me.  It can be hard to keep on top of as I’m constantly bringing things back that I am sorting for other people, but it is totally worth being on top of it, for the ‘zen’ feeling it gives you.  

    The lovely people at Brother (who make printers and who have very good customer service I may add!) have come up with a list of five things to help you be more comfortable and productive, so have a read here:  

    https://www.brother.co.uk/brother-for-home/blog/your-home-office/2024/5-great-ideas-for-organising-your-desk-and-home-office

    If you need a hand to tidy, organise or declutter a home office, do get in touch.

  • Digital Will

    Digital Will

    Not heard of a digital will? A digital will is an inventory of your digital assets.  It can form part of a normal will or be a side letter. It is really important to have a note of all the passwords that your loved ones will need to access documents you have created and online accounts you have; also for them to be able to use your social media to let people know you have died, and even to find the location of precious photos and documents that might be required.

    You can create a document with passwords listed but this isn’t very secure.  You could create it, password protect it and just give your lasting power of attorney/s and / or executors the password.  Or you could print it out and tell them where you have hidden it.  If you have a password locker then you can nominate someone who, in the event of an emergency or loss of life, will get access.  For the one I use, they don’t have to have an account themselves at the point of nomination,  but to get access they will need to have an account.   This really is the most secure way of handing your passwords over to someone else.

    To access your loved one’s social media you may very well need to have the password. Some social media accounts have a legacy option (like Facebook), but you need to nominate someone to be the legacy contact in order to do that.   Instagram doesn’t have this option, but you can apply to memorialise or remove the account.  LinkedIn works like Instagram in this way.  So with the latter two, you can do this with a death certificate and don’t need to have the password, unless you wanted to put a final few posts up for contacts to see.

    It might be annoying gathering everything together but it will save so much time for your loved ones when they are grieving, so it is a very kind thing for you to do for them.  We wholeheartedly recommend spending time doing this.

  • Letting things go

    Letting things go

    Some people find the act of decluttering simple, and some find it very difficult.  It can be a bit like baring your soul to a counsellor – difficult at first, but rewarding as you spend more time doing it, and something that will open you up to new possibilities at home and in your life as you let go of your ‘stuff’. 

    When we are decluttering with clients, we find that we are operating in a similar role to that of a counsellor.  We hear  so much about clients’ memories, both good and bad, and about their families and their families’ experiences.  It can really help to talk about these things to help process memories and allow items to be given away and rehomed.    Memories can be fun, or they can be a reminder of painful times, and sometimes talking about those difficult memories are the most important in helping you let go of items. 

    If the idea of talking to someone about your life or getting them to help you in your home seems tricky, then one easy way to start decluttering, is to implement the ‘one in one out’ policy.  If you buy a book, give away a book you already own. If you buy a new dress, give away a dress you own.  If someone gives you a candle, give away (or quickly use!) a candle.  If they give you a mug, give away a mug.   People don’t know that you’ve given away something they gave you.  If it gave you pleasure when you received it, it’s done its work and you can let it give someone else pleasure now. 

    To help other people minimise their clutter, when you give presents, give people experiences (theatre, a meal out, a cinema ticket) or things that are consumable (food, drink, flowers).  There are many subscriptions you can get for  consumable gifts. 

    If you need help to make a start, either by having a declutter plan or having someone be with you, do get in touch and we can book in an exploratory call.

  • What if the charity shop doesn’t want your unwanted items?

    What if the charity shop doesn’t want your unwanted items?

    When decluttering, which you might be doing as a new year’s resolution, we recommend that clients give unwanted items to charity (if they can’t easily be sold).  Doing so:

    1. Helps someone buy the item cheaper than they would new
    2. Helps the charity get money to support the cause/s they were set up for
    3. Helps create space in your home more quickly (if you want to sell something it hangs around for a long while before you list it and then someone comes to buy it!)

    But not everything can be given to charity.   For instance, cuddly toys need a CE label (making sure they meet certain standards); not all charities take electrical goods; some things aren’t good enough quality (stop and think – would you buy it?!); and they can’t sell knives or alcohol.

    What do we do with the things that can’t be taken to a charity shop?  Here are some ideas:

    • Unopened alcohol – we donate for prizes for fairs either to charities or school PTAs
    • Knives – any place that makes food for charity would welcome good quality knives, so you can ask around and give to them
    • Unopened food with 3 months on the label can go to the local food bank
    • Unopened food which is less than 3 months on the label or out of date but not perishable can be listed somewhere like ‘Olio’.    You can give freezer food away this way too.    Opened food can also be listed but obviously you need to state this. 
    • Towels can be listed online as free items (Facebook, Olio or Freecycle are examples of places you can list things free)  as dog walkers often want them.    You can also list duvets and pillows there too (of course if they’re in exceptional condition, the charity shops may take them).
    • Furniture is often rejected by charity collection services and can be given away online as free items.  
    • Old saucepans may have life left but not be good enough for charity so you can list them. 
    • Cosmetics: new items in box sets can be given to charity shops, but smaller items can go to https://thehygienebank.com/ and https://www.toiletriesamnesty.org/directory/ 
    • Stationery, crafting supplies etc can be given away on Olio or you might have a community group nearby who will take these things https://www.workandplayscrapstore.org.uk/

    There are many more categories, but if in doubt, call your local charity shop first and if it is not suitable list it as a freebie on a local Facebook Group and try and give it a new home!

  • New Year’s Resolutions

    New Year’s Resolutions

    Happy new year!  A time of new year’s resolutions for lots of people.   These are good in many ways as it is like setting goals – things you want to achieve or things to make you feel better.  Last year my new year’s resolution was always to eat dinner at the dinner table.  I think that lasted until September, so I did well as only 8% of new year’s resolutions are kept until the end of the year. I will try harder this year!  I also set a goal of hitting 5 million steps across the year (by doing approximately 14,000 steps per day).  I will let you know if I did this in the comments on Instagram and Facebook!

    As 80% of resolutions are already broken by the end of February you need to really want to make your resolution stick and form a new habit.

    One of the best ways of making your resolution stick is to do something called habit stacking – where you put the new thing onto something else you already do, which makes it easier to stick to.   We recommend James Clear’s Habit Stacking (available online or at all good bookshops!) which talks about this.   Examples of this could be wanting to lose weight and cleaning your teeth directly after dinner (making you less likely to eat more), or wanting to get more steps in, so walking round the block when you get out of your car at home before you go in.   You could also use a delayed gratification method and tell yourself you can’t have your coffee until you’ve done 20 minutes of walking.

    Another way of making new habits stick is to get an accountability buddy.  This works for walking, going to the gym etc.  We have also found that for many neurodiverse people, mirroring is a good way to get things done.  So if you continually put off your emails, or going to the dentist, agree to do your emails in the same room as a friend, or book an appointment for the dentist at the same time as someone else you know.

    If your new year’s resolution is to get tidy and declutter, but you haven’t started by February, let us know and we’ll come and help you!   And if your resolution is something else, let us know what it is! 

  • Losing your landline?

    Losing your landline?

    Did you know that landlines are being phased out?  It’s not happening yet, and has in fact been delayed from 2025 to 2027.  The delay is because not all providers are ready and able to make the switch yet, and don’t all have plans in place to help vulnerable customers. 

    The landline as you know it, will be phased out and you will need to be using VOIP (voice over internet protocol) technology, instead.  These rely on electricity and broadband and so there is much discussion about back-up battery especially for vulnerable customers.   Of course many people have mobiles and can use these in an emergency (if they are charged up) but not all customers do.

    We are pleased to note, however, that the personal care alarm companies have adapted their technologies and now use the mobile networks to route their emergency calls, so they aren’t reliant on the landline network anymore.  Existing clients using the old technology will be migrated over in due course.

    Our concern is that we see a lot of people with poor speed broadband (even in cities like London), who can’t possibly expect to be able to make calls over the internet.  We hope there is time for all of this to be upgraded.

    If you haven’t been contacted about your landline being switched, then don’t worry, you are probably best to wait until you have to do it. 

    Eventually, after all the upgrades, the digital network will be cheaper to run, so hopefully it will be worth it in the end.

    If you are concerned about the new technology, please get in touch and we will help you if you need to change your technology.

  • 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!