helping seniors live well in later life

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Tag: Organising

  • 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.

  • It’s not too late to start using Zoom!

    It’s not too late to start using Zoom!

    Remember those heady days before the pandemic?  The days when hardly anyone was using Zoom.  I admit, I had the app, and had done some meetings, but I didn’t really know what it was capable of.  Now that the pandemic has passed, I spend a lot less time on Zoom and it’s transformed the way a lot of businesses run.

    Does it still have a place in the lives of those who aren’t working?   It can be very useful to have meetings with a travel agent, a will writer, a financial adviser, etc.  It can also be helpful to have family catch-ups (as in the picture!) and see friends on the other side of the world.  One of my clients still has a weekly Zoom with her sisters; connections have been revolutionised by what happened in the pandemic.

    There are also many groups for those in later life that meet online, from social groups, to classes, and bridge groups.  It is all out there.  So if you don’t fancy going out into the world, but crave connection, Zoom is very much still a worthwhile thing (and of course other platforms like Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet).

    If you want to get started on Zoom or another video platform, talk to us about how we can help you get set up.

  • Get that ‘back to school’ vibe

    Get that ‘back to school’ vibe

    September is a time for new beginnings, just like January, as it has the back-to-school vibe that is inescapable even if you don’t have children or grandchildren in the education system.   It’s a time to start on things you have been putting off and generally just get going on your own home projects.

    So, if you would like to start decluttering, now is a good time!  If you are looking at it and wondering where to start then we recommend the following:

    1. Start small, one cupboard or corner at a time
    2. Schedule the decluttering into your diary
    3. Put on a rousing music track to keep you moving and stop you getting distracted
    4. Do it with a friend (you can help each other) or tell a friend you are doing it, to remain accountable
    5. Always remove items from your home for the waste or charity when you’re done, so you can see the results quickly.

     If you’d like a bespoke declutter plan, or you need some professional help, get in touch with us, we can help.   

  • Test your heating!

    Test your heating!

    If you read our blog last month about getting your boiler service done in the summer, you are well ahead.  Assuming you got it serviced last month, you should be good to go.  But it’s still good to test your heating before you need it, in case you have any radiator or leak issues you weren’t aware of, or if you didn’t get your boiler serviced over the summer.  Last year we didn’t follow our own advice for the first time ever, and then had a problem with the thermostat connecting, coinciding with being sick and not being able to trouble-shoot it.  So we really do recommend checking that your heating works before you need it!  And if it doesn’t you now have plenty of time to sort it out.

  • Dealing with your loved one’s possessions after death

    Dealing with your loved one’s possessions after death

    When someone passes away it can be a very traumatic time for family and friends, even if the death was expected, and dealing with a loved one’s possessions can be a very emotional task.   Once any items in the will have been distributed, you can ask other family and friends if there is anything they want.  If there are more valuable items in the property they may fall into the estate to be valued, and so it is important that you follow the solicitors’ instructions for disposing of or sharing out those items.  Once that is done you may still be able to sell items, and so we recommend contacting auction houses and / or antique dealers who you know and trust, to help get you the best price.  After that we recommend looking at things in the following order:

    • Other furniture to sell, either on Ebay, Gumtree or through Facebook groups or marketplace
    • Furniture to give to charity or give away.  If a charity won’t take items you may be able to give them away using Olio, Gumtree or again, local Facebook groups or marketplace
    • Small items are best to go straight to charity, but not all shops take everything so check individually
    • Specialist items from hobbies may be of value to a collector even if they have no monetary value, so you might find someone online
    • Keep papers aside to be shredded if not needed for the legal process.  Get a shredding company to collect, or you can drop off
    • Use a waste collector or skip at the end.

    Or, if you want to save time, you can engage a house clearance firm to do all of the above for you.

  • 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.

  • Get your boiler serviced in the summer!

    Get your boiler serviced in the summer!

    It’s July, and your heating system is probably far from your mind.  But now is a good time to get your system serviced.  Find out why:  

    • Boiler companies are less busy from April through to August and they are able to book you in at a time of your choosing.
    • Many (not all) charge less to do the service in the summer, offering discounts because they are less busy and want to keep their work force on the road.
    • If they find something that needs replacing, there will be more availability to book the work to be done over the summer.  This not only gives you flexibility on dates, but it gives you the chance to save up and spread the cost of getting the work done, if you need to.
    • If you’ve had the service done in the summer, it is more likely to work for the winter when you need it.

    So don’t delay, book your service in today!

  • Going on holiday as you get older

    Going on holiday as you get older

    As you get older there is the sweet irony that you have more time to go on holiday but actually going might be becoming more and more difficult.  So here are some tips to get the best from your holiday:

    • Make sure you get insurance that covers any illnesses or conditions that you have had.  It doesn’t pay to scrimp on insurance.  As you get older there is more chance you might need it and you don’t want to find you’re stuck abroad without the ability to sort out any issues.
    • Make sure one company books the whole of your holiday.  That way it’s all covered if something goes wrong.
    • Ensure the company you use will be available to help with questions or conundrums whilst you are away and that you know how to communicate with them.  
    • You can take a travelling companion who is over 40 on a SAGA holiday, whether they’re family or not – they don’t have to be 50.
    • Pay for airport assistance (which your travel agent can arrange).
    • Ensure you take all your medication with you and prescriptions in case you are asked for proof of what you are carrying by customs in other countries.
    • Remember to stay hydrated (see our previous blog).
    • On longer car journeys, don’t be afraid to stop regularly to stretch your legs and use the facilities.
    • Enjoy yourself!

    If you need an introduction to a reputable travel agent to guide you through this, get in touch with us.