How to help over 65s stay independent
“In 2018, 1 in 7 people (1.4 million) aged over 65 were estimated to be struggling without all the help they needed to carry out at least one essential Activity of Daily Living.”
At Best Life, our aim is to encourage over 65s to be as independent as possible. Here are some of our top tips.
1. Ask for help
During tough times, we recognise how difficult it can be to look after number one, however, it's important to give yourself headspace and ask for help from others where possible. Whilst we appreciate that can be hard to know where to start looking, we strongly feel that no one should have to cope alone.
We recommend joining a carer’s forum to check-in with other caregivers in a similar situation to you, or to confide in a friend. Try not to feel guilty about asking for help. Carer’s UK have a UK-wide network of support available, so rest in the knowledge that you are not alone and there are people around you willing to help.
You can also apply for help with funding support through a Carer's Assessment, a Needs Assessment, or an Attendance Allowance. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested and we would therefore encourage you to discuss this with your local authority social care team or to contact the Best Life team for more advice.
2. Make a diary
If you are needing or providing more support than before, you may find it helpful to keep a diary. Keeping a diary is useful for a number of reasons, including making yourself more aware of how much you are doing, how you and your support network are being impacted by any changes in circumstances, or even to discuss your situation with a health care professional.
Go through your schedule and monitor what additional help might be needed and how you can go about getting the help.
3. Look at options
There are a lot of options for supporting Over 65s and having an upfront conversation about what is available is important. It can be easy to stay quiet in order to not upset someone but if you have serious concerns, you should prepare for a conversation about support options available.
This could include home help, moving into independent living accommodation, supported living, a care home, or even having a live-in carer move in with you. Home help and care providers can often complement each other well. If a loved one's home is still suitable for their needs and is safe for them to continue to live there, home care and help are popular options to consider.
To evaluate your options, you will first need to request a free Needs Assessment from your local authority. This will assess practical needs, mobility aid requirements, home adaptations, housing options, and respite options.
Needs Assessments can be organised by your GP, adult social services, or through your local council website.
4. Evaluate finances
There are numerous bodies to advise on later life finances. To find an accredited financial advisor you can trust to advise on later life finance, you can seek help from the Society of Later Life Advisors (SOLLA). SOLLA is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to high standards of regulated financial advice and members must adhere to their standards to be a member.
Secondly, Citizen's Advice is a charity providing advice and guidance ranging from work, pensions, housing to benefits. They will also provide guidance on how to apply for any of the following:
1. A Needs Assessment
2. Attendance Allowance
3. A Carer's Assessment
A Needs Assessment is to assess how much help you need with everyday activities and to make sure your loved one can continue to live as independently as possible. Your local authority has a duty to carry out the assessment and allows you to take the lead in providing information on what support is needed and wanted. The assessment can be carried out by an Occupational Therapist, a Social Worker, a Nurse, or a combination of all three. If someone already helps you or your loved one, this still counts as a need.
The Elderly Accommodation Counsel has also produced a guide on care options, assessments, and costs to understand them better.
We hope you found these tips useful! Take a look at our other blogs for more helpful advice