Typically, we don’t think of grandchildren stepping into the caring role for their grandparents in the UK. Whilst it is commonplace in other cultures, here it is only becoming more of the norm as grandparents live longer and their grandchildren enter adulthood and are suited to a caring role. Yet, it’s very under recognised; we don’t even have data to tell us how prevalent it is. At Eastleigh, we are here to support the whole family as they care for ageing loved ones and we recognise that taking care of grandparents brings its own unique challenges. The time of our lives In our experience, grandchildren taking care of grandparents fall into this role at a point when they are only just finding their feet in adulthood. There seem to be multiple reasons why it happens, and why caring doesn’t fall to the immediately younger generation of sons and daughters. Often it’s a matter of practicality, with the ‘sandwich generation’ being unavailable due to being at the peak of their career, or through their own ill health. Regardless of the reasoning, caring for a grandparent when in your late teens or twenties comes with its own concerns. Often there are conflicts […]

Recent research by the University of Sheffield has found that more than half of repeat hip replacements could be prevented with an osteoporosis drug. Hip replacements are commonly needed in elderly individuals especially after a hip fracture. Hip fractures are most commonly caused by a fall. Whilst the research provides some promising hope on the horizon, it is of course best to try and prevent falls in the first place. There are a number of simple ways in which this can be done. Fall prevention tips Before we dive into some important fall prevention tips, it is worth noting that there are a number of different reasons why falls are more likely in elderly individuals. Stiffness and mobility issues are perhaps the most obvious. However, problems such as eyesight difficulties, medication side effects, certain diseases (such as Parkinson’s) and reduced confidence all play a part. Therefore, it can be worth checking out if there is a particular medical reason behind the falls if they have increased in frequency, or recently started. These following tips are designed to be used in addition to medical support. 1. Keep a diary If falls seem to happen often or regularly, try to keep a […]

Caring for an elderly loved one brings many challenges. One such challenge is simply how to manage your time effectively. This is particularly true if you are in the ‘sandwich generation’ caring for both your elderly parents and dependent children who are still at home. Standard time management tips may not be useful here, so we’ve put together a list of tips for how to manage your time when you’re caring for elderly parents. The goal is that you should feel less frantic and burned out, and more in control.

Ever wondered what care is like for the elderly in different cultures? We are proud of our heritage as a care home provider in the South West of England. Nonetheless, what lessons could we learn from other corners of the globe? It matters to us that we have wine and sherry to offer our residents at dinner and that we serve up the residents’ favourite fish and chips. It’s important to our residents that we have in-house hairdressing. Christmas at Eastleigh wouldn’t be Christmas without a round of carols and the Queen’s Speech broadcast on Christmas Day. Today we went on a journey to find out what care for older people is like in other cultures.

When it comes to helping our residents achieve comfort in the British weather, we’re not often talking about the heat! The Great British weather is better known for causing problems for the elderly in the winter. However, at our North Devon and Somerset care homes we are often spoilt with warm sunny weather during the summer months. It’s essential that family and carers also know how to keep the elderly comfortable and safe in hot weather.

Brain Health in Later Life Massive leaps ahead have been made in neuroscience over the last decade or so. There’s no doubt that the human brain is a complex structure which we’re still learning so much about. As a residential and nursing care provider in the South West, with a distinct speciality in dementia care, we are fascinated by the brain and elderly people. The ageing brains The human brain is really quite remarkable. Throughout our lifetime our brain continues to change and adapt in a way more marked than any other part of our body. However, the brain, like all of our other organs, ages. We know that as we get older the volume of our brain decreases. Yet this ‘shrinkage’ isn’t consistent from person to person. Nonetheless, our brains shrink at a rate of around 5% per decade after the age of 40. It’s widely accepted that the rate of decline increases over the age of 70. Shrinkage in two prime areas of the brain – the frontal lobe and the hippocampus – typically increases in later life and it is these areas which are vital for cognitive function and memory. The effect of the ageing brain It’s […]

Loneliness and the Elderly According to Age UK, 3.6 million over-75s live alone. 1.9 million older people often feel alone. The NHS explains how loneliness isn’t simply a social ‘problem’. It can have detrimental effects on health and wellbeing. Worryingly, lonesomeness can be as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness is a very real and very significant problem for the UK’s elderly population. The causes of loneliness in the elderly There are a fair number of myths around loneliness. Most importantly, you don’t necessarily have to be alone to feel lonely. Loneliness can be defined as sadness or a low feeling stemming from a lack of authentic companionship and communication. Elderly people are particularly prone to feelings of isolation for a number of different reasons. In our modern society, it is not unusual for the elderly to be physically distanced from their key family members. Even when living nearby, retirement days can be long and the lives of family members busy and fraught with pressure. Health problems can cause mobility issues and concerns about getting out and about, inevitably closing off connections. Similarly, many peer relationships fade through health problems and bereavement. The vibrant networks surrounding […]

Living in a Care Home: How to Personalise Your Loved One’s Experience When we talk to the families of potential new residents at our care homes, there are understandable concerns. One of these concerns, which lurks behind many questions, and indeed potentially holds back a sensible move, is how to ensure your loved one is treated as an individual and receives both personalised care and an adapted environment. It is right and understandable that you are concerned that a loved one may lose their sense of identity when they move away from their home. At Eastleigh, we believe that a resident’s care and environment should be tailored for them so that they don’t lose this sense of identity. Our goal is that residents benefit from the care home environment and structure, without losing their individuality. Moving to a care home or nursing home should be about providing security and safety, without compromising the individual. There are ways in which families can help to achieve this. For further information about what is required and the preparation you need to undertake before moving, follow the previous link. Be open about your concerns When it comes to elder care, there are a great […]

How to Keep Your Elderly Relative Safe at Home We understand the importance for elderly people retaining their independence for as long as possible. However, we also understand the concerns that family members can have in the face of a staunchly independent elderly relative, in terms of how safe they are. Often comes a time for your relative to move in to a care home, where they will soon discover their fears were unfounded. There may also come a time, when a transition to sheltered accommodation would be a good ‘half way house’ until they need round the clock attention. What can you do in the meantime to keep your elderly relative safe at home? The Stay Safe Website The good news is that a whole new website called Stay Safe is jam-packed with all of the information you need to know. The website is the joint effort of Age UK, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the National Training Standards Scams Team. Here you will find advice ranging from fire and gas safety through to falls prevention and reducing the risk of scams. Making an elderly relative’s home safe It is important to remember that […]

How to Plan a Day Trip for Someone with Dementia We all know the benefits of getting out and about in terms of our wellbeing. However, undertaking a day trip with someone who has dementia can pose a number of hurdles and concerns. This article looks at how to plan a day out to boost their sense of peace and wellbeing. Choose the location carefully Day trips can vary from an excursion to a local café, to a stroll down memory lane. Choose your location with care, particularly when considering eateries. Some venues will be quieter and calmer, and these should be preferred. It is worth investigating local venues which offer wheelchair borrowing or rental services. These places not only make it easier for you practically, but will have planned their venue with wheelchairs access in mind. They tend to be more ‘disabled-friendly’ generally. Stimulate memories Memory difficulties are a common symptom of dementia. However, usually there is more success in accessing much longer-term memories, and as such great comfort can be brought from this. Think back to the things that your loved one used to talk about from their younger years. How could you incorporate this into a day […]

Why You Will Enjoy Your Retirement Village in North Devon There are a myriad of reasons to sing Devon’s praises. It’s one of the nation’s most popular spot for visitors dreaming of stunning landscape, delectable food and a slower pace of life. However, the reasons why Devon is such a wonderful part of the UK particularly ring true when it comes to the quality of life and opportunities for retirees. Nationwide, Devon and the South West have a reputation for being the place to retire. But why is this? Let’s take a look at just some of the reasons you should consider making the move to Devon on your retirement. 10 Top Reasons To Love North Devon Community: For many retirees, the community of work has now slipped away and it turns out the hectic pace of working life has left you somewhat isolated from your current local community. Yet community is essential to an enjoyable retirement. Attempting to build a new community for yourself upon retirement is tricky, without the natural contacts that working life affords. However, in Devon with the influx of retirees and communities geared to the older generations, it is considerably easier. This is particularly true […]

How You Know it’s Time for Assisted Living Knowing when you need to consider assisted living is a difficult decision for any person to face. However, it’s often a matter of loved ones being in the position to identify when a move needs to be made. Roles are often reversed with adult children taking on the position of caregiver. Knowing when assisted living is now required can feel like a complex and overwhelming decision. As Somerset assisted living providers, we see this situation play out time and again, in various different ways. There are some common signs that can help you realise that it’s time for assisted living to be considered. The Obvious Signs It is unlikely to be much consolation, and resistance can still be met, but there are some obvious signs that assisted living is needed for your relative. Falls and injuries: If your relative has fallen and been injured, it may be clear that independent living is no longer a safe option. Hospital may also only discharge an elderly person if they believe their care arrangements to be suitable. This can push the issue. Close calls: Not quite as clear cut, but frequent ‘close calls’ where an […]