helping seniors live well in later life

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Tag: Parents

  • Christmas family reflections

    Christmas family reflections

    We hope you all had a fantastic Christmas day with your friends and family, or if you were alone, that you enjoyed the peace and quiet.  We know many people who prefer a quiet one, so if that’s you, we hope quiet was delightful.*  Some of you might still be doing lots of entertaining.

    You may have had a chance to reflect on anything different you noticed about your loved ones whilst visiting them.  You might be thinking about calling them to thank them for their hospitality, or if they weren’t hosting, calling them to make sure they got home ok, or to thank them for presents received.   You’ll find a good reason to check in.  Start on a positive note and then you can move on to mentioning whatever your concerns were.  You can ask if they’ve been to their GP recently, or perhaps you could suggest they might think about a cleaner so they can enjoy their time rather than thinking about chores.  Whatever it is, there will be a positive way to spin it and you’ll find it.   Offer suggestions if they are receptive, but otherwise just keep checking in if they’re not yet ready.

    If you have specific concerns or believe they need support you can’t give, do get in touch so we can help you work out the people who can point you in the right direction.

    *If a quiet Christmas was too much, there are many places that offer companionship and Christmas dinners on Christmas Day, and we can help you find one for next year if you would like.

  • What’s in your relative’s fridge

    What’s in your relative’s fridge

    We started our weekly short blogs a year ago on December 21st  with a reminder to look out for your loved ones over this Christmas when you go to visit them.  And we thought it was worthwhile repeating the message.

    Whilst you are with your relatives and friends and having a lovely festive and relaxed time, they may not want to tell you about anything happening to them as they may feel too proud or embarrassed, or be in denial (or all three).    However, you may notice some changes to them and their home which are worth noting. 

    Keep an eye out for:

    • Are they using a stick when they haven’t before?
    • Are they holding onto walls or furniture to steady themselves?
    • Is their home less clean than it used to be?  Perhaps there are smells you didn’t notice before or a bit more dust?
    • What’s in the fridge that shouldn’t be (things that don’t belong there or things that have gone off!)?
    • Are their normally organised papers in a mess?
    • Are they a bit forgetful?
    • And another thing to look out for is that they don’t want to invite you into their home whereas they did before.

     Just make a mental note of any of these things and stay tuned for next week’s advice on how to talk to them about these changes.  

  • Income in retirement

    Income in retirement

    Pensions – oh no, boring!!  But very important.   The Triple Lock is all very well and good but that might not be enough to live on.   We aren’t regulated so we can’t give you financial advice BUT we can point you to some places to help you:

    You can find a Society of Later Life Adviser near you on the SOLLA website.  It’s really important to make sure that the person you are talking to understands getting older and what that means to your finances.  All the people on this website do that.

    We also know other financial advisers who are fully later life qualified but not SOLLA advisers and we can send you in their direction.

    There is always the possibility of a residual income (like a royalty that those who write and perform songs receive).  Some businesses that remunerate those working with them with residual income rely on sales of product which can be hard to maintain without building a team.  However, some companies offer a residual income based on household services.   If you want more information on something like this which could help plug a gap, let us know and we can help.

    HM Government’s Money & Pensions service also has a website called Money Helper and this can help you with pension and retirement planning as well as all sorts of other money queries.  Do have a read and do share with people you know.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 ready for winter

    Get ready for winter

    As we head into autumn it is important to get yourself ready for the winter and make sure you are ready for the arrival of any cold snap:

    1. Check your heating works (which we first advised in August).
    2. Make sure you have lots of thin layers that you can wear on top of each other.   You can also get an ‘Oodie’ which is a giant over-blanket that you can wear to keep you warm inside your home.
    3. Get a really warm hat, scarf and gloves.  If your heating breaks down you can always wear these inside.
    4. Drink lots of hot drinks, and have soups and stews for lunch and dinner.
    5. If you are tempted to use a hot water bottle, be sure to check it for holes as they can perish over time and you don’t want boiling water leaking on you.   They have a daisy on them to determine when it was made.  The inside number is the year and the outer segments represent the month.  If you’ve had it for more than three years you should consider replacing it.
    6. If you are mobile, keep moving, as that always keeps you warmer.
    7. Some Age UK offices run a Warm Homes programme.  See if there is one in your area here
    8. If you are on the Priority Services Register (for those over 60, those with young children and those with disabilities) and you have no heating due to a power cut or gas emergency, they can help you remain warm and able to cook with temporary appliances.  Find out more here.  
    9. Don’t suffer from the cold; contact your energy company or social services for more help.
  • Be part of a community

    Be part of a community

    So you’ve retired!  Many people look forward to this so that they can spend time with their grandchildren, go on holiday, visit art galleries and enjoy more of their hobbies.

    For others, the thought of giving up work is stressful and they worry about the lack of interaction with others and how to spend their time. 

    Of course it’s a good idea to have a rest and some relaxing time immediately after retiring, but if you don’t have a purpose or specific things to do, your health, both mental and physical, will suffer.

    It’s really important to have a purpose, be part of a community and have a schedule.   Some people get a dog as it means they have to get up and walk it!  That gives them a purpose and a schedule.  Others volunteer for charities or at schools, giving them purpose, community and a schedule.   You’ll find many local groups for retired people and some even start for the over 50s.   You could begin a hobby that you have always been meaning to do.

    If you fancy joining our online group for those retired, from 10am on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, get in touch and we’ll book you in!

    Or meanwhile, have a read of our piece about community written for AfterCloud, here.