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Urinary Tract Infection

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:22:39 GMT

Urinary tract infections (UTIs, also known as urine infections or water infections) are the most common infectious health problem among older adults. They can be painful and uncomfortable, but they usually pass within a few days or can be easily treated with a course of antibiotics.

They’re more common in women than in men - it’s estimated that half of all women in the UK will have a UTI at least once in their life and one out of every 2,000 healthy men will develop one each year.

Chronic Pain

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:58:11 GMT

Chronic Pain is pain that persists despite medical treatment. This pain lasts for a long time (generally more than 3 months) although each person experiences pain in a different way.

It’s not always easy to find out the cause of this pain and it can reduce a person’s quality of life. However pain management treatments and services can be used to manage pain and restore quality of life. Approximately 1 in 7 people in the UK have chronic pain.

Small repairs

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:48:39 GMT

Mears Home Improvements Ltd and The Royal British Legion both have small repairs services to help you with jobs around the house so that you can stay independent and lively safely in your own home.

Cold Weather Payments

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:27:45 GMT

Cold Weather Payments are payments made to help people in receipt of certain benefits to keep warm during extended cold spells of weather between 1 November and 31 March each year.

Moving abroad

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:06:51 GMT

If you are thinking of moving abroad, your first step should be to get as much information as possible about the realities of living in a foreign country.

Moving in with relatives

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:05:06 GMT

You need to take time to decide whether to move in with relatives, because the success of this option will depend on your relationship with your family, the individual personalities involved, and your circumstances. If possible, discuss it not only with the family involved, but also with a friend outside the family or an independent adviser.

Practical help to move home

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:44:09 GMT

If you are moving out of your current home, it is a good idea to start planning well in advance. When the time comes, you will need help moving your furniture and belongings. Also, you may have furniture that you no longer need if you are moving into accommodation that is smaller than the one you are leaving (for instance, if you moving into sheltered housing or into a care home).

Getting advice and finding out what is available

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:43:18 GMT

FirstStop Advice is an independent, free service offering advice and information for older people, their families and carers about housing and care options in later life. It is led by the charity Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) working in partnership with other national and local organisations.

Housing for older people

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:42:43 GMT

Sheltered housing is aimed at older people. Usually, residents need to be aged at least 55 or 60 years of age. Sheltered housing tends to be built in a scheme of about 20 to 40 flats or bungalows, and can be rented or purchased. Most schemes are linked to a 24 hour care alarm system, which can summon help for you in an emergency. There is usually a scheme manager (warden).

Buying or renting ordinary housing

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:42:02 GMT

If you do decide to move house, you need to find out what type of accommodation will best suit your needs, and what choice is available.

There is a range of housing options that you may want to consider; these are summarised below. You may also like to use the search services on the Elderly Accommodation Counsel’s Housing Care website to take a look at what is available in your area.

Looking at what you want from a new home

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:41:30 GMT

There are many reasons why you may want to consider moving from your home, such as health problems, bereavement, or problems with your neighbours. Finding more suitable accommdation can be a complicated process and moving house is a big step in your life. Before making a decision, you might like to consider the following points:

How to pay for adaptations to your home

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:29:29 GMT

If you are finding that doing things at home is harder than it used to be, for example if you are having difficulty climbing the stairs, or you are having trouble getting in and out of the bath, you may be entitled to get a Disabled Facilities Grant. This grant can pay for adaptations and equipment, which will make it easier to move around and do things at home.

Where to get advice about your home or neighbourhood

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:26:17 GMT

Whatever your housing situation, it is likely that you will need some help or advice with housing issues at some point in your life. Whether you live in council property, rent from a private landlord, own your own home or live in sheltered accommodation, there are many agencies that can help you to deal with housing problems.

Gardening

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:20:39 GMT

As you get older you may find that maintaining your garden becomes more difficult and that some tasks are harder to manage. Whether you are a homeowner, or a Your Homes Newcastle tenant, there are schemes that can provide you with a reliable gardener to help keep you garden in good condition, so that you can continue to enjoy it.

What to do if you are worried about becoming homeless

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:18:14 GMT

If you think you may have to leave your home and are worried about becoming homeless, or if you are under threat of eviction, there is help and support available to you.

Dealing with rubbish and pests

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:10:59 GMT

Making your home safer

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:07:41 GMT

Many accidents and falls could be prevented by taking simple steps to make your home safer.

Help with heating problems and how to pay for them

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:04:22 GMT

You may think that your home needs better heating and insulation, but you aren’t sure who can help or how you can afford it. Maybe you want to know if you can get help with paying your fuel bills, or you want to make a complaint about your energy supplier. Whatever your need is, there are numerous organisations and schemes in place to help you. You may also find it useful to read our section about Gas and electricity.

Coping with noisy or difficult neighbours

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:01:18 GMT

There are several types of problems that you may experience in your neighbourhood. You may have noisy neighbours, or you may be experiencing verbal abuse or threats from someone in your area. The nuisance may not even be caused directly by people; it could be an overgrown garden which is interfering with your enjoyment of your home, or it could be a local building which you think is dangerous.

If you are having these kinds of problems where you live, there are a number of things that you can do to address the situation

Help with the cost of maintenance and repairs

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:44:20 GMT

Funding the repair work is a major source of concern for many older homeowners and there are a range of funding options available depending on personal circumstances and the nature and cost of the work. These options may include local authority loans and grants, lifetime mortgages, private and charitable funding or a combination of these.