helping seniors live well in later life

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Tag: Top Tips

  • 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.

  • Driving as you get older

    Driving as you get older

    As you get older you may find that you use your car less, but want to keep hold of it to maintain your independence.   Your loved ones might be trying to persuade you to give up the car and you don’t want to. 

    When friends and family suggest giving up driving it’s because they are worried about you and also about other road users.   There may be a medical reason that means you have to give up driving, but if there isn’t one, it might be that your family have noticed a decline in your reactions and attention to detail. 

    There are still ways you can stay independent.  Keeping a car can be very expensive, and you may find that if you are still mobile you can get about as easily on trains and buses whilst getting a bit of exercise and movement in.   If you’re using your car less and less, using a taxi service to and from the station or to your destination might well be a cheaper and safer option.

    Age UK have some great information about this topic here:  https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/travel-hobbies/driving/worried-about-someones-driving/

  • Internet banking

    Internet banking

    Most of us do internet banking these days, but if we are older we may not have got into that, or we might distrust it and feel that it is too difficult to learn now.  However, if you have set up internet banking it makes it easier to pay people and to check your balances.  You can also move money around and review standing orders and direct debits more easily. It can of course make you more vulnerable to scams, but these can happen even when you just have a credit or debit card to hand. Banks are very helpful in advising their clients how to avoid scams, so speak to them if you can.

    If you have a power of attorney set up, one of your attorneys can help with your banking and other financial affairs. Each bank will have their own way to set this up.  However, lesser known is the ability to set up a 3rd party mandate which you can do with anyone, whatever your relationship is with them, as long as the correct forms are filled in and signed by each party.  This means that you can both have

    access to a bank account and make payments and check it on a regular basis.  Each bank will again have their own way of doing this, but it is a good way of allowing your loved ones to help you.

  • Stay hydrated

    Stay hydrated

    As you get older you need to drink more water to keep hydrated to compensate for your body’s decrease in its ability to retain water, and to prevent various health issues that become more common with age such as constipation, UTIs, and cognitive impairment.

    Here are a few ways to do this:

    Drink water throughout the day:  Sip it regularly even if you don’t feel thirsty and try and aim for 2 litres of water a day by breaking it down into small glasses.

    Include hydrating foods in your diet like cucumbers, watermelon, strawberries, oranges, tomatoes and lettuce.  Consuming soups will also help.

    Choose hydrating beverages like water, herbal teas, decaf coffee, and milk.  Sugary and caffeinated drinks can have a diuretic effect so should be avoided. Try flavoured water if you don’t like plain water.

    Set reminders via your alarm clock, mobile phone or smart speaker device, like Alexa or have a chart on the fridge to remind you.

    Remember to monitor your urine colour and if it isn’t clear or pale yellow, you need to drink more! Also remember that some medications can increase the risk of dehydration by increasing urine output or causing dry mouth. If you take medications that affect your fluid balance, talk to your healthcare provider about strategies to stay hydrated safely.

  • Attendance allowance

    Attendance allowance

    Have you heard of Attendance Allowance? 

    It is a government benefit that helps with extra costs if you are over state pension age and need someone to help look after you.

    It might be that you feel you don’t need financial support now, but it is a non-means tested benefit, and it might be something that you could be very pleased you have in the future if you need to pay for carers or a stair-lift, for example.  Or it could be something you could use now to pay for taxis if you can no longer drive or get public transport, or if you need help with cleaning or meal preparation.

    Most importantly, Attendance Allowance helps you remain independent for as long as possible.  Our friends at Grey Matters Consultancy are experts in claiming this.  Why not head over to their website and find out more, or we can put you in touch with them.

    https://www.grey-matters-consultancy.com/services/attendance-allowance

  • How to file!

    How to file!

    This is a repost of our video from 2022, how to file!

    1. Keep your filing system simple – avoid using folders where you need to punch holes to file.
    2. Use different colours for different types of paperwork to help make it easy to find things.
    3. Do your filing either as you get it or save it all in one place and do it once a quarter or so.