Family and Relationships

Welcome to the Family and Relationships Channel which provides both resource and discussion for the many complex relationship issues that frequently occur in mid-life. As part of the ‘sandwich’ generation it is quite possible that you are still supporting grown up children as well as taking on the additional responsibilities of ageing parents.  You may find yourself widowed or in the role of full-time carer.  Through this channel not only will you find guidance and advice but you can join or create a group that shares your interests and concerns. If you find yourself alone and seeking companionship, you can form new friendships here and, perhaps, even find new love.

Healthcare : The Future of Caring: Know The Facts 6th October at 5.15 p.m. BST There are currently six million people across the UK who provide unpaid care to someone they know – a figure that will only increase with Britain’s ageing population. If you care for a friend or relative, or are a receiver of care yourself, you will know firsthand the true cost of caring. Carers Allowance is the lowest benefit, set at just £53.10 a week. Carers also rarely get chance to take a break from the role – over a third (31%) of long-term providers have never taken a holiday. Emma Soames, Editor-At-Large of Saga Magazine, and Phil Hope MP, Minister of State for Care Services, join us live online to answer your questions about the government’s Green Paper To see the Webcast click here... _________________________________ Are your ‘Boomerang Kids’ driving you mad? 10 tips to survive your adult child returning home Student debt and the high cost of housing are contributing to the new phenomenon of boomerang kids – the 20 or 30 somethings who move back in with their parents after once fleeing the nest. And as much as you may love your kids, living with adult children can be quite a challenge.  For some tips on how to cope and live in harmony with your returning offspring click here... _________________________________ Living Life to the Full co-operative Xest Making life easier for you and your loved ones co-operative Xest is a brand new web site and mail order service, launched by Southern co-operatives to bring together the very best in ‘aids for daily living’.  It's a one stop-shop for a whole range of products that could make life so much easier for you, or the person you care for. co-operative Xest introduced the service after extensive research showed that shopping for equipment to make life more independent and dignified can be a tough and negative experience. To find out more about this service, which is endorsed by This Morning Agony Aunt Denise Robertson, click here... _________________________________ A Life of Caring has its Rewards at Luxury Retirement Homes Are you looking for a retirement home for a relative who is unable to meet the high costs. Have they spent their lives caring for others?  Then they may qualify for a bursary place at Nightingale homes in Kent and Surrey. Elderly people who are struggling to cover the cost of their retirement after devoting their lives to good causes are being offered a bursary by a luxury retirement home. There are bursaries, with fees discounted by 25 per cent at Nettlestead Retirement Home in Bromley and Priors Mead in Reigate. For more information click here... _________________________________ My Life as a Carer When her mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Lesley Brackenridge had no hesitation about deciding to become her carer.  Don Parton reports on how Lesley coped as a carer for six years and how she eventually found the right care home for her.  To read Lesley’ story click here... _________________________________   Are Your Elderly Relatives Being Ripped Off? Shacklocks, a Midlands-based law firm has saved families more than £97,000 in overpaid care fees and is urging people with elderly relatives to look into their care home fees more closely.  The care funding system is complex and many people may be unaware that they are entitled to some contribution towards their care costs. To read more click here... _________________________________ Carers on the Brink of Exhaustion As many as 4 million carers in the UK could be on the brink of exhaustion Carers who dedicate their time to looking after older relatives or partners are not just providing essential support for their loved ones, they are also giving a valuable service that saves the taxpayer billions of pounds a year.  Yet it seems the carers themselves are not receiving the support they deserve and that they are suffering financially, physically and emotionally. Click here... to read more. _________________________________ Divorce and the over 60s   Although the national divorce rate is at its lowest level since 2000, divorce among the over 60s is on the increase.  The decision to decide to divorce is a very difficult one to make irrespective of age and should not be taken without careful consideration of all the consequences both financial and emotional.  Keith Doherty of Thackray Williams Solicitors in Bromley points out that there are a number of factors that need to be considered when deciding to end a long marriage. Click here… to read more _________________________________

The Plight of Informal Carers in the UK In the UK there is a hidden army of dedicated people who are looking after members of the family or friends on an informal basis. Despite saving the country literally billions of pounds a year in nursing and care home fees they are under recognised and under supported. It is therefore not surprising that, in a recent survey carried out by co-operative Xest, the statistics revealed that there has been a startling rise in the mental torment of the nation’s informal carers To read the key fact that were uncovered in the survey and comments from Agony Aunt Denise Robertson click here... _________________________________ Help the person you care for to a little independence If someone you care for struggles to manage the everyday task of getting dressed, you may be interested in an innovative range of clothing from Adaptawear which has taken conventional designs and made them so much simpler to put on, take off and wear. For more information click here... _________________________________ Coping with the unthinkable Dementia Caring for someone can often be a sudden, life-changing experience and many people find it difficult to cope. Britain has an army of more than four million carers that live largely unnoticed by the rest of society,  One of those carers is David Holton whose life was turned upside down when his 45 year old wife Carole was diagnosed with early onset dementia.  Andrew Chilvers, from www.bettercaring.com, writes about how Carole’s tragic illness has affected the lives of David and their teenage son and the difficulties he  has had to overcome. Click here... to read more _________________________________ 1 In 3 Golden Oldies Use Technology to Find Love Over 50s e-Flirting on the Rise According to a recent survey 6.8 million of the UK’s silver surfers are as tech savvy as their younger, digitally-aware counterparts, according to research published today, with a third now using the internet and mobile messaging to find true love. Click here... to read more. _________________________________ Building Confidence If you have experienced the end of a relationship a lack of confidence may be stopping you from moving on to the next phase of your life. Find out how to start building your confidence by clicking here... Self Confidence & Body Image After a relationship breakdown you may feel you have somehow failed and as a result become depressed or disheartened. In order to progress with your new life you need to feel self-confident and believe in your worth. To start that self belief click here...  _________________________________ Relationship Healthcheck There is strong evidence that people live longer and happier lives in supportive and loving relationships. To keep these relationships in good health they need to be assessed so check the strength of yours by clicking here...  These articles are in association with www.armchairadvice.co.uk  _________________________________ Choosing a care home for your parents Many Baby Boomers are faced with the issue of putting either one or both of their parents into a care home. This can be a very difficult and upsetting time as many older people try desperately to cling to their  independence. If a home becomes the only solution then you want to ensure that the place you choose is safe, secure and caring. Find out more by clicking here...