Remember to save some money for your mobility!
TODAY’S grandparents are so busy handing out savings to children and grandchildren that they risk ending up with too little money to support themselves, a recent YouGov report has revealed.
One in seven self-sacrificing seniors is helping their family with high housing costs, while two-thirds help or plan to help grandchildren with university costs.
But the report for the National Housing Federation advises that they might well need the money themselves to pay for social care in later life.
WHEN weighing up your own assets against your wish to be generous in this way, it might also be worth considering the need to put aside a few thousand pounds for a home adaptation.
Many older people need a stairlift at some point, or decide to make changes in the bathroom to improve their safety.
This can be a very wise precaution when you consider that the stairs and bathroom are the riskiest areas of the home for falls. Almost half of all people aged 80 and over experience a fall each year and it can be both physically debilitating and a blow to the confidence.
The bathroom is a particular concern — its slippery surfaces are responsible for 80 per cent of falls in the home, including 55 per cent of hip fractures. So think about replacing a high-sided bath with a shower which includes seating, grab bars, slip-resistant flooring and doors that open wide and offer support to keep you steady.
Today’s adaptations bring back the pleasure of bathing, while washing away any worry and indignity. And there’s absolutely no need to compromise on style, as they are designed for looks as well as safety.
It’s also helpful to know that specialist companies can often do the work in a
day or so, with care and consideration. As the temperatures lift, it’s a good time to invite them in to transform your bathroom — and your safety and comfort.
A STAIRLIFT might also prove to be an essential, should you suffer from heart or breathing problems, muscle problems or from painful arthritis in the future.
And it could also make it possible to remain independently at home for longer and fend off the expense of care fees.
The 2014 Which? stairlifts survey revealed that straight models can typically be bought for just over £2,000. However, every corner in your staircase will increase the standard price.
If you have a staircase formed of two straight flights of stairs with a landing area in-between, Which? suggests it might be cheaper to buy two straight stairlifts instead of one curved one.
It is best to contact a few companies to carry out some free feasibility studies. Try to arrange for an occupational therapist to be present if possible. If not, make sure that your OT has given you clear written instructions about what features are important for you.
A company should not put pressure on you, so beware pushy salespeople or those who flaunt special offers.
Find out about warranties and aftersales service — for example, how does the company deal with breakdowns and does it have a buy-back policy, should you no longer need the stairlift?
You can also buy a stairlift second-hand from the major companies. And there is the option to hire — useful if you need it for a short time while recovering from an accident or operation, for example.
Red Wheelies retire but what a ride it’s been!
THEY trundled 84 miles along Hadrian’s Wall, made a 154-mile pilgrimage from Winchester to Canterbury, earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records and scooted into the nation’s homes via TV.
Above all, they spun their wheels with a charitable purpose — to raise £25,000 to build a state-of-the-art MS therapy centre in Kent, which is set to open shortly.
But now, with their mission accomplished and members, all with MS, not getting any younger, the dauntless Red Wheelies have decided to call it a day.
The mobility scooter display team members and their ‘roadie’ husbands are retiring after six years of showing the world what achievements are possible with a stable and agile scooter.
The Red Wheelies have done countless formation displays at fetes and fun days, sometimes dressing up as jousting knights or Bugsy Malone characters and decorating their rides.
Varying in number from six to twelve, they have also appeared on The Michael Ball Show demonstrating safe scooting, on Britain’s Got Talent, where they got three yesses — and on Gotta Dance With Davina McCall.
Founder Jackie Weeden says: ‘Life is what you make it — and if you can’t dance with your legs, then dance with your scooter!
‘Our mobility scooters are our legs and give us back our freedom, independence and ability to get more out of life. It’s been such fun and we have built up great camaraderie, so will carry on meeting.’
Having swapped to a folding, five-wheel scooter that emerges down ramps from the car boot by remote control, Jackie adds: ‘It means that if we go out as a family this spring, Granny can come too, instead of being stuck in the car waiting for everyone to come back!’