WHERE TO GO FOR SUPPORT

What older people and carers need most is genuine, sustainable support within our communities. Knowing you have a network: a neighbour who will pop in, a group you can access, local transport/car scheme, or simply someone to talk to. It’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference, time being one of them. Websites can help with practical advice and point you in the direction of real, kind people. The best site for advice about getting older is ageuk.org.uk, and for finding local carer groups try carersuk.org and carers.org. The Alzheimer’s Society website is clear, accurate and kind. In The Book About Getting Older,

I use patients’ stories to explain advance care planning, including resus decisions, but if you’d like to know more, try the Resuscitation Council UK and find out about the RESPECT process (resus.org.uk/respect).