Sharing the CARING

Our Reader Care Editor Rosie Sandall is here with compassion, support and advice for carers

Your question is one I often hear from carers or members of the Yours Forget Me Not group. People often tell me that after bereavement, their family wants them to move to live near them or like you, they need to move for health problems.

My strong advice in this situation is to be very cautious. Obviously, you and Percy still have each other so at the moment, you probably wouldn’t be relying on your family for a lot of support.

I regularly hear from people who have moved away from an area where they have lived for many years to be near to their family. Once they have moved, they soon find out that their families have busy lives and that they often have little time to spare to support or to visit grandparents. It can be harder to make new friends as you get older ,too.

Think carefully about what you like about where you live such as friends and neighbours you have known for many years. You also need to think about what you both need to make life comfortable.

Village life may look idyllic but is there a doctor’s surgery, a Post Office, or a shop nearby? Is there a regular bus service – something that’s getting less likely these days. You may not be able to drive in the future so how would you manage in that situation?

My advice, Felicity, is to think very carefully before deciding to move to a new area. I suggest you write a list of pros and cons. You might just find that it would be better to make life easier where you are and to stay in familiar territory.

Good luck whatever you decide!

■ Got a question for Rosie? Write to Sharing the Caring, Yours, Media House, Peterborough, PE2 6EA Or email: rosemary.sandall @bauermedia.co.uk