The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is a government grant available in England to help people with disabilities make essential adaptations to their homes, enabling them to live safely and independently. Before proceeding with any home improvement project, it’s advisable to consult with professionals and your local authorities to ensure eligibility

A family recently asked me why a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) application had been made to the Local Authority by a care home for a member of their family, living with dementia who had recently gone into residential care. Especially as the family had agreed that this was the

Gosh! Where did 2024 go? Christmas has passed, and many of us have had a chance to catch up with family and friends. Most of us will have enjoyed that time. But sometimes, not seeing our older loved ones for a while can raise concerns about increasing health issues and

Caring for elderly loved ones is a deeply compassionate and often challenging responsibility that many adult children undertake. Balancing this role with personal, professional, and familial obligations can lead to significant stress and strain. Understanding the complexities involved and knowing where to seek support can make this journey more manageable.

In England, Social Tariffs refer to reduced-rate energy tariffs offered by some energy, broadband and water suppliers to eligible low-income households or individuals who meet certain criteria. These tariffs are designed to help vulnerable customers afford their bills. The eligibility criteria typically include factors such as income level, receipt of

When you are paying for your care (self-funding), the average weekly fee for a residential care home is £1,232, compared to £1,470 for a nursing home. Across a whole year, you’ll pay around £64,000 for residential care and £76,000 for nursing care. Depending on your total assets and care needs,

For my September 2023 blog, I wrote about Pension Credit Myths that often stop people from claiming the benefit. Given the recent decision by the present government to stop Winter Fuel payments to anyone not receiving Pension Credit, I have decided to update that blog. This is longer than my

After signing up for Hourglasses OATH—Older Age, Tomorrow’s Hope, I was prompted to write this month’s blog. Through my work and contact with families, I hear stories of elderly loved ones being targeted by scammers or abused by carers or family members. ​Over a million older people are abused each

This month, I have a guest blog from Dawn Rowley, a professional organizer (The Organised Assistant) who runs her own business. In her blog, she shares how some of her work involves helping people ease the stress of a later-life move. We all know moving house is stressful, yet when

The options for caring for our older loved ones have significantly increased in the last twenty years, and I have had more conversations with families about the pros and cons of live-in or residential care home support. In this blog, I compare the two options available if hourly care on