...for life with more balance...
| Prime50Plus has been created
for those of us who are approaching or over 50, who are already leading
successful, fulfilling lives but are now looking for something more challenging.
|
Become a Prime Plus Member for FREE
As a Prime Plus member you automatically qualify for a number of FREE services :
- Free Newsletter with our latest breaking news
- Free updates on new products, services and events from Prime50plus
- Ability to use the Prime50plus Forums (Chat Rooms coming soon...)
There comes a time in most people’s lives when their parents or in-laws need a little bit more looking after than they used to.
Often this comes through a decline in mobility or mental capacity. Both are very difficult to deal with and it can be a worrying and confusing time as we try to figure out what to do for the best.
On one hand, we often shy away from having a frank conversation with our parent/s for fear of upsetting them. On the other, we worry that they are going to hurt themselves, or live an unhealthy life.
It can be very distressing to be faced with the mortality of our own parents, too. All together, these factors make this whole time stressful, upsetting, and worrying.
Knowing where to turn to for help is tricky, but there are agencies and options out there.
In this article, I will run through some of the important steps and options out there if you are worried that your parent/s need more care.
Step 1: Facing The Truth Together
It might start off with noticing something small. Maybe your dad keeps forgetting to turn the oven off or is struggling to follow a conversation and blames his hearing.
Or your mum has had a few falls, but with seemingly perfectly reasonable explanations. Her slippers feel funny, or the cat gets in the way.
Whatever you have started to notice, trust your instinct and investigate. If it does turn out to be as simple as needing new slippers or a hearing aid, that’s great.
But don’t just ignore it, because your parents will be safer, happier, and healthier for longer if the root cause of their problems is established and the symptoms managed.
It can be a difficult conversation to have if you suspect something like dementia, but it is worth having the conversation early with your parent/s. And the chances are, they have noticed something is off, too. The Alzheimer’s Society has some great resources if you are worried.
Step 2: Know Who To Turn To
The next step is to seek advice.
Your parent’s GP is a good place to start. Try to accompany your parent if they will let you. It is important the GP gets a thorough understanding of the challenges and symptoms your parent is experiencing. Being there will make sure you can counteract any ‘downplaying’ they might do.
You should also get in touch with your local council and request a needs assessment. The council will arrange an appointment to come and assess your parent’s accommodation and needs before signposting to helpful services, such as:
· Occupational health
· Home adaptations
· Paid carers
· Financial assessments
· Personal alarms
· Household gadgets
You can apply for a needs assessment here.
Also consider contacting charities such as Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and The Silver Line. These charities and organisations often have, or know of, a range of services, support groups, and advice you and your parent can access.
Step 3: Plan For The Long Term
It is a horrible thing to have to face but sometime in the future your parent might not be able to live totally alone.
It is much better to plan for that whilst your parent is still able to have a say in where they live when that happens, or before disaster befalls them and the need is urgent.
There are a number of options for when your parent/s need more support.
Live in carers enable your parent to stay at home, but obviously are expensive and require their own room.
Sheltered accommodation is a good stop gap between totally independent living and a nursing or care home.
If you have space and all parties are in agreement, they could move in with you. This option often fills both child and parent with horror at the thought of living in such close proximity again.
A good compromise is a garden annexe. If you have a bit of space in your garden, you could consider one of these stand-alone small chalets. They let your parent/s live close by with support from you, but everyone retains their own space and independence.
A nursing home or care home is another option. There was a time when care homes were cabbage smelling hell holes, but these days there are some very nice ones available.
Do your research though. Don’t just pick the nearest. Visit the Quality Care Commission’s website to read up on the homes and arrange to visit before you make a decision. It is likely the best ones will have a waiting list, so this is where planning ahead pays dividends.
If you are worried about paying for care, head back to the council to ask for a financial assessment. They will be able to tell you what assistance your parent/s are entitled to.
Summary
1) Don’t avoid the issue. Early diagnosis can make a lot of difference and gets you on the waiting list for things.
2) Ring the council. It’s a good place to start.
3) Reach out to charities for support.
4) Consider accommodation options early to prevent being forced into a quick decision.
Leisure & Lifestyle
Shopping on the internet, although highly convenient in these busy times, is unlikely to replace the trill of strolling down the high street or kicking the tyres of that new Ferrari you've always wanted. We can't promise you those same thrills and experiences but we can promise to bring you some pretty special and unique gifts that you might not easily find on your local High street or shopping mall. Click Here
New Articles: Gardening Ideas and Products
Travel and Holidays
We know that your leisure time is precious so lets make the most of it. So whether you are about to go take a break of try out a new leisure pursuit let Prime50plus help you. Click Here for our useful Prime Hints & Tips :
For more information and articles on Travel and Holidays
Money and You
We know we're not experts when it comes to giving
individuals advice on their money. But we do know it's important to make sure
you're getting the best deals so you're not paying more than you have to.
Click Here for our Prime Tips
:
For more
information and articles on Money
Useful Articles
Make sure your
home is covered this Christmas
The Principles of Life Assurance
Health and Wellbeing
We believe in supporting the Government's simple health message of eating five fruits and vegetables a day and exercising regularly for 30 minutes. Click Here for our Prime Tips :
for life with more
splash...
For more information and articles on Health & Wellbeing
Electric Bikes - The easy addition to a healthier
lifestyle
Career & Learning
Working, Jobs, Starting in Business
or Interested in Learning new Skills?
Would you like to be your own Boss and run Your Own business, doing things that you want to do and like doing ? Maybe you already have the skills and training required, but if not, its never to late to start learning.
.... or perhaps the time is right to put more back
into society ? There are many people and organisation who could benefit
from your skills and expertise.
Whatever your career plans,
let Prime50plus help you to find what you looking for Click Here for our Prime Tips :
Our sister sites PrimeMploy Local Jobs &
PrimeXperience Putting
Experience to Work have both Live Vacancies and lots of useful information
for securing your next career move.
Featured
Article: Inspirational Over 50s Click
here to Read More
Friendship & Dating
There are lots of Websites, Magazines, Lonely Hearts,
Speed-Dating groups etc etc dedicated to making new friends and maybe a little
more........
Prime50Plus offers you a slightly different approach
by putting friendship first (whatever else follows is then really up to you). So
whether you are searching for your perfect partner or just simply looking to meet new
friends, let us help you find them. Click Here for our Prime Tips :
Read Dating Articles on: Mature Dating | Senior Dating | Mature Dating Sites
Home and Property
Is your home really still your Castle? It's certainly debatable during these turbulent economic times but we've seen recessions come and go here in the UK and property prices have proved as resilient as the Stock market over the longer term.
Lets face it the British are still in love with the property market and the vast majority of us still desire to own our own homes. Our European cousins see things a little differently so who is right?Let us hear your opinion on our Forum or register your Vote on our popular opinion poll. Click Here for our Prime Tips :
For more information and articles on Home and Property
New
Articles: Garden Furniture
Meet our Experts
Our mission is to create an interactive website
portal and forum for the over 50's sector where our users can not only read
information from our experts but also be able to post their views on our site as
experts. This is an information portal written by experts for experts.
Click here to view the Experts who work with
us
Become a Prime50plus Expert
If you have something interesting to share with others, you can submit an article for publication on www.prime50plus.co.uk with a link to your own website or blog.
Click here for more
information on how to become a Prime50plus Expert
