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HAPPY EVER AFTER Finding the right care home or support package for a loved one in later life can be a confusing challenge. Marina Jordan outlines the options
A s we age, our accommodation needs change. Everyday tasks such as climbing the stairs and mowing the lawn can become challenging, or we might forget to make meals or take our medicines. When it comes time to move out of the family home, the right care package can be a huge relief for everyone involved – so here’s a handy guide to the various options. Option 1: Support at home Elderly people are often reluctant to ask for help, so look out for signs your loved one is struggling. They might lose weight because they can no longer prepare meals, suffer falls due to impaired vision and muscle wastage or become more forgetful. If your elderly relative doesn’t feel ready to move yet, certain mobility aids can make living at home safer and easier.
Examples include grab rails on the bath, raised toilet seats and stair lifts. Age UK has a range of such solutions, including pendant, wrist or key-ring alarms. Voice- activated units such as Alexa can also help older people feel less isolated by providing reminders and safety monitoring. Look out for charitable schemes that provide help for elderly and vulnerable people in the community. Companies such as Oakhouse Foods and Wiltshire Farm Foods offer doorstep deliveries of nutritious, microwaveable meals. Lynette Hurren, deputy CEO of Age UK Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, says: “We offer many services to support older people in maintaining their independence at home and in their communities. These include wardens, information and advice, handy persons, hospital discharge support, day centres and befriending.”
A PLACE TO RELAX Arlington Manor is a luxury care home with beautiful surrounding gardens
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK JANUARY 2025 63
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