Elderly Parents Who Won’t Wash – Dealing with Personal Hygiene

Of the many concerns facing the children of elderly parents, personal hygiene is one of the most difficult to discuss. It feels like a very private and frankly embarrassing issue, but although this is a sensitive area there are strategies to help you find a way forward.

Understanding Personal Hygiene Problems in the Elderly

The key to solving any problem lies in understanding it. If you don’t get your head around the reasons for your elderly parents taking less care over their personal hygiene you will find it far more difficult to reach a solution.

In fact, there are many possible reasons for the elderly refusing to take baths or showers.

Read the full article here:

http://www.nobilis.co.uk/feeds/information-library/elderly-parents-who-wont-wash--dealing-with-personal-hygiene.aspx

Financing Home Care – Social Service Funding

Home care services are increasingly used by the elderly and infirm to help maintain their independence and ensure wellbeing and security within their own home.

When you feel you may be in need of such services the question of funding is one of the first concerns. It is possible you may be able to receive help from your local authority, but this will depend on both your needs and personal finances. There are also several options for how such help could be offered.

Local Authority Care Assessment:

The starting point for assistance from social services is the community care assessment. This is completely free and confidential. Importantly, your local authority is obliged to carry out this assessment regardless of your financial circumstances.

The care assessment is generally conducted by a social worker who will visit your home to assess your needs. This is not about carrying out lots of tests or invading your privacy; rather it involves listening to your views and wishes, learning about your day-to-day life and assessing how the council could help.

Read the full article here:  http://www.nobilis.co.uk/feeds/information-library/financing-home-care--social-service-funding.aspx

Mum or Dad Won’t go to the Doctor – Getting Elderly Parents to Visit their GP

You’re becoming worried about your parent’s health. It may be failing memory; it could be aches or pains you feel aren’t quite right, or maybe you want the doctor’s opinion about whether your elderly parent should stop driving. Whatever the concern, your mum or dad just refuses to visit the doctor.


“I don’t want to bother him.”

“It’s nothing to worry about.”

“Stop fussing!”

These are all very familiar and frustrating responses. The fact remains, though, that the problem is still there and you don’t know what to do, so here are some suggestions about tackling this sensitive issue.

Read the full article here: http://www.nobilis.co.uk/feeds/information-library/mum-or-dad-wont-go-to-the-doctor--getting-elderly-parents-to-visit-their-gp.aspx

How to Start a Conversation with Elderly Parents about Care Needs

As parents grow older our concerns steadily build. Can they cope? Are they at risk? Does something need to be done?

Often, though, one of the most difficult problems is actually talking about it! We’re all too aware of the fact our parents are independent people and won’t like the idea of family ‘interfering’.

We know they have pride which can be hurt and perhaps most of all we know they spent years caring for us, making a conversation about reversing that role seem very daunting indeed.

Yet it does no good putting it off or ignoring it. Sorting out help where it’s needed and planning sensibly for the future are important priorities, so there are strategies families can adopt to raise these issues sensitively with elderly parents in ways that are more likely to be productive.
Read the full article here: http://www.nobilis.co.uk/feeds/information-library/how-to-start-a-conversation-with-elderly-parents-about-care-needs.aspx

Care at Home – What are the Options?

When age or illness make living in your own home a challenge it creates worry and stress for the entire family. You don’t want to leave your home or lose your independence but deep down you know something has to be done.
Fortunately there are many options available meaning you don’t need to take the extreme step of moving into a care home. As a society we are all living longer and consequently many services have been set up which provide the support you need to stay in the home you love.

Home Care Services

The first and most important step is to find a trusted home care provider. This will give the essential support you need to remain safe and comfortable in your own home. Home care services are incredibly flexible and can be adapted to your particular circumstances.

When you take on home care services a professional carer comes to your home to deal with day-to-day tasks. This ranges from personal care for you, such as washing and dressing, to household jobs, such as cleaning, cooking meals and shopping. Whether your needs are for just half an hour a week or 24-hour live-in care, there are providers who can help.

Read the full article here: http://www.nobilis.co.uk/feeds/information-library/care-at-home--what-are-the-options.aspx

Am I Entitled to Attendance Allowance?

Age and illness can place all sorts of restrictions on your life. You may find it difficult to get washed and dressed and even walking around can be demanding. Dealing with these limitations can be difficult and before long it becomes clear you need help. Fortunately, in many cases the state is able to assist with the expense of this, meaning at least money doesn’t have to be an additional worry.

Attendance Allowance is intended to help pay for the costs of care and supervision, making it possible for you to cope with the daily tasks of looking after yourself. It is solely for people over 65, so if you are younger you should apply for Disability Living Allowance, which is actually more generous and can continue after the age of 65.

Attendance Allowance is different from many other benefits because it is not means-tested, so your savings and income are completely irrelevant to the decision about eligibility. It’s also tax-free and you can receive it even if you haven’t made National Insurance contributions. This means it’s a benefit which often goes unclaimed by people who could be entitled to it, so...

Read the full article here: http://www.nobilis.co.uk/feeds/information-library/am-i-entitled-to-attendance-allowance.aspx

Getting the Elderly Online – Improving Quality of Life

Let’s be honest, apart from mobility aids we tend to assume the elderly and technology don’t make for a good mix. We think they’re unwilling to embrace new things and come from a generation which struggles with programming the video.

We’d be wrong. Facebook an elderly-free zone? Definitely not – over-65s are the fastest growing age group there. Online dating a younger person’s game? Think again – over 50s are joining Match.com faster than any other age group.

Society is slowly waking up to the fact that the internet is a place which can benefit everyone and that the elderly are using it more than ever.

It’s no wonder, since this is the generation which has most to gain. Many parents bemoan the fact their kids spend too much time online and ought to be outside playing and being active. For the elderly, opportunities for going out can become more restricted, making the benefits to be had from surfing much greater. So it’s time for the young to start bemoaning the fact their elderly parents aren’t spending time online! Indeed, you should do everything you can to make that happen!

Read the full article here: http://www.nobilis.co.uk/feeds/information-library/getting-the-elderly-online--improving-quality-of-life.aspx