The internet contains a wealth of knowledge for people of all ages and backgrounds. However, searching online and finding the most suitable resources can be confusing for elderly people and time-consuming for their loved ones.
That’s why we’ve compiled this one-stop-shop list of helpful resources for the elderly and their loved one’s. From where to get independent advice on finances and legal matters to resources on health and well-being or finding social events in your area. This jam-packed guide has everything your elderly loved one could need in one place.
Helplines and general advice for the elderly
Age Space is bursting at the seams with advice and resources for the elderly and their family. From home care and finance advice, such as how to set up a legal power of attorney and how to navigate care services.
Age Concern is a UK-based charity offering a free advice helpline open 365 days a year. They also offer a free telephone friendship service in collaboration with the charity The Silver Line so your loved one can enjoy chatting with someone over the phone from the comfort of their home.
National Care Line provides support and information to the elderly, their carers and their families. They provide help and assistance through their free helpline 0800 0699 784, and the website offers lots of advice and information relevant to the needs of older people.
Legal and financial resources for the elderly
The Money and Pensions Service is sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. They offer impartial money, debt and pensions guidance through their free helpline.
Tax for Older People is a charity service providing free, independent and expert help and advice for older people on lower incomes who cannot afford to pay for professional tax advice.
Solicitors for the Elderly is a membership organisation of over 1600 solicitors and lawyers across the United Kingdom who offer legal services tailored to the needs of elderly people.
The Pension Calculator is an easy-to-use tool on the Money Helper website, which is a Government-supported organisation giving financial advice to people in the UK. The pension calculator gives users an estimate of the income they can expect when they retire. Users can also find out if their likely retirement income is enough to fund their desired lifestyle in retirement.
Which? is a consumer advice and protection organisation offering advice on a wide range of services and topics. They have several guides on funding options for home care and care homes for the elderly, together with information on how much care costs and how to apply for financial help.
Winter Fuel Allowance and other payments and discount schemes, such as the Cold Weather Payment and Warm Home Discount, are detailed on the UK Government website, including how to apply for each.
Befriending services for the elderly
Friends of the Elderly offers a telephone or face-to-face befriending service for people who are socially isolated or not very mobile.
Independent Age provides support for people as they get older, including a befriending service.
Befriending Networks is a network of volunteer befrienders for people who would otherwise be socially isolated. Includes a directory of befriending services across the UK.
Mental health and well-being resources for the elderly
MIND is a UK-based mental health charity that provides information and support for a range of mental health concerns.
The Silver Line is a confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK. Also offers telephone and letter friendship schemes which match volunteers with older people based on their interests.
Anxiety UK Provides confidential advice and support for those with anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression.
The Taking Care website details volunteer opportunities for older people. From dog walking and pet fostering to becoming a pen pal or volunteering in a charity shop, there are plenty of ideas. While volunteering could be thought of as a social activity, it has also been proven to have huge benefits to mental health for people of all ages.
Playlist for Life is a music and dementia charity. Their website offers people with dementia (as well as carers, family and healthcare professionals) information on how to find the right music, use playlists properly, and also the benefits of using personal playlists in the daily care of someone with dementia.
Social activities and exercise for the elderly
MeetUp is a website where you can find local groups of people with similar interests for conversation and support.
Reengage is a UK charity that organises group and one-to-one social activities to help the elderly connect with others, including tea parties, call companions, and free social activity groups. Find groups near you with their search tool.
The Royal Voluntary Service runs a wide range of clubs, groups and events in local communities and online. They’re great places to meet old friends, make new ones, refresh existing skills or try something new.
The Women’s Institute is still going strong in most communities across the UK, offering social activities and meet-ups for women of all ages. Find WI groups near you with their online search tool.
Lunch Clubs give those elderly people who may be feeling isolated or lonely the opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy a nutritious meal while meeting with peers to talk or play games over a hot meal.
Men’s Sheds are kitted-out community spaces where men can enjoy practical hobbies. They are a place where men of all ages can make friends, learn and share skills. Use the search tool on the website to find a local group near you.
The NHS has an area of its website called the Fitness Studio with exercise videos for beginners to do at home. It includes chair-based Pilates, stretching exercises and meditation practice. Videos are from 10 minutes to 45 minutes long.
The Townswomen’s Guild have over 400 groups throughout the UK that usually meet at least once a month to enjoy each other’s company, develop friendships, get involved with events and crafts and campaign on social issues.
Safety and security
Age UK has a home safety section on its website with detailed guides for the elderly on crime prevention, gas and fire safety, and where to find a local handyperson in your area.
Tena has created a 6-point checklist of how to create a safe home environment for the elderly as well as other advice and guidance on supporting your elderly loved one.
Home care services and support for the elderly
The Money Helper website has an impartial guide to home care services. They cover what is home care, how to fund care at home, and how to arrange home care services.
The NHS website details what home care services can help with, how your local council may be able to help with costs and how to find a home care agency in your area.
Country Cousins is a home care specialist with over 60 years of experience covering England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. They offer a wide range of home care services focused on live-in care services and offer a no-obligation enquiry service.
FirstStop Advice is an independent, impartial and free service offering advice and information to older people, their families and carers about housing and care options for later life.
The Elderly Accommodation Counsel is a national charity with a mission to help older people make informed choices about meeting their housing and care needs.
Devices and home aids for the elderly
The Complete Care Shop has a wide range of home devices and aids for elderly people. Order online or by phone and get free home delivery on orders over £70
Mobility Smart has the UK’s widest range of mobility scooters, mobility equipment & mobility aids. All deliveries are free within the UK and all products come with a 12-month warranty.
Health Care Pro has a huge range of products covering mobility aids, bedroom and bathroom aids and much more. Order online or by phone, orders over £110 get free delivery.
Social networking and entertainment for the elderly
50 Connect is an online magazine for people over 50. This entertaining publication features articles on health, home and lifestyle, travel, quizzes and much more.
Senior Chatz is an online chat room site where your loved one can meet seniors from all over the world. Website registration is not required and the resource is totally free.
The Oldie is a tongue-in-cheek online magazine for seniors. With interesting and fun content such as podcasts, magazine articles, news, arts and more.
The Silver Surfers website contains news, social forums, games, features and quizzes to keep your loved one entertained.
50 Shades of Age is a travel and lifestyle site for the over-fifties. The blog focuses mainly on travel, but it also shares tips on keeping active and healthy as you age.
Tours, Day trips and holidays for the elderly
Virtual tours of the UK are a fantastic way to see and learn about new places from the comfort of home. This website offers virtual tours around the UK, including historic sights such as The Beatles’ Abbey Road, Leeds Castle, Gloucester Cathedral, Stonehenge, the Tower of London, Oxford and much more.
Virtual museum tours are another great way to get some culture from the comfort of your armchair. Google Art & Culture is a website where you can virtually visit over 1,200 museums and galleries all over the world with the click of a mouse.
The National Trust offers a 25% discount on their membership to everyone over the age of 60. With beautiful locations throughout the UK showcasing some of the best heritage in the UK from stunning natural locations to stately homes, parks and gardens.
Leisuretime offers a collection of reasonably priced short breaks and holidays in the UK for the over 60s with coach transport included.
Resources for carers and family
The Alzheimer’s Society has a wealth of information about dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Versus Arthritis provides advice and guidance for people with arthritis, their carers and loved ones.
Parkinson’s UK is a charity providing education, research, advice and support around Parkinson’s disease.
The Stroke Association is a UK charity supporting people to rebuild their lives after a stroke.
The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. You can find elderly care services by location and see how they have been assessed and rated by the CQC.
Carers UK is a UK charity specifically supporting unpaid carers with expert information, advice and support.
Trinity Homecare is a regulated home care provider based in England. They have many helpful and informative downloadable guides on their website which cover everything from dementia to LPA.
Looking for home care advice? Get in touch
If you or your loved one are considering home care options, get in touch with us at Country Cousins today. We are the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency and have provided compassionate care to people in their own homes since 1959.
Our friendly team is available to answer all your questions Monday to Friday, between 8 am and 6 pm on 01293 224706. Alternatively, fill in our online enquiry form and we will be in touch soon.
