Happier Later Life

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Happier Later Life

Championing carers of elderly parents. Read my blog – it shines a light on the invisible workload we carry.

You’ll find real stories, practical tips, and small steps to lighten the load and shape a Happier Later Life.
👉 https://lindaraddon.substack.com

15/09/2025

Starting last week, my Dad now has a new care pro called Ruby.

If you think I am a smiler, she is big competition and so lovely.

Not only does she make sure Dad takes his daily meds, but she’ll do a small task around the flat or take him for a short walk.
Yesterday, while Ruby was with him, I was able to go to church and serve on the prayer team.
That might not sound much, but the emotional difference is huge. Knowing that someone you trust is supporting your parent – and that you can step away for a time – brings such relief.
For me, not about doing everything yourself, it’s about sharing the load. And sometimes, that little bit of help makes all the difference to everyone.

10/09/2025

“Your Dad copes so well.”

Maybe you’ve heard that too.

And maybe you quietly thought, “Yes… but only because I’m here, holding things together in the background.”

Lots of the caring role is hidden from sight. The daily phone calls, often more than one, when something is lost, or anxiety rises. The gentle reassurance that settles things down. The quiet interventions that stop small problems turning into bigger ones.

On the surface, it can look like independence.
But often, there’s a whole support system propping it up, catching virtually every wobble before it becomes a fall.

If this is you too, I see you, when others don’t get it.
And what you’re doing really does matter.

What’s one ‘invisible’ thing you do that no one notices that makes a huge difference?

27/08/2025

It’s not always the big jobs that get to you… it’s the dozens of small tasks and the mental load of “don’t forget.”

Supporting a parent with their admin can feel like you’re running two households – except with extra hoops to jump through because you’re acting on someone else’s behalf.

In my weekly blog, I share a few tips to help lighten the load, just a tiny bit.

Like using one browser for your own admin and a different one for your parent’s.

It sounds simple, but it keeps log-ins and passwords separate, and any data you auto fill like postcodes or date of birth.

There's a link to my blog in the comments 👇🏼👇🏼

15/08/2025

This week’s blog post is all about making time for your own health when you’re a carer for elderly parents.

When you’re busy organising appointments, medication, and care for someone else, it’s easy to put off your own routine checks – eyes, teeth, hearing, screenings, even your blood pressure. But your health matters just as much as theirs.

In this post, I share why it’s worth booking those appointments now rather than “when things settle down” – and a simple way I make sure my own needs stay on the list.

📬 Link in comments – you don’t need to subscribe to have a read, but if you do, you’ll get each new post delivered to your inbox every week.

07/08/2025

You have maybe heard about setting up Lasting Power of Attorney, but have you actually starting activating one?

This week I’m talking about the real, behind-the-scenes admin of being an attorney for my Dad’s finances, why you don’t have to wait until capacity is lost to use it, there’s a bit more admin to get it going, but once it’s in place, it really does make life easier.

04/08/2025

Have you ever spotted a travel hack that saved you hours in a queue and quietly thought to yourself, “I'm so pleased I saw that before I went”?

Or the flip side, bought something full price, then found a discount code five minutes later?

That’s the power of a little heads-up info at the right time.

I love it when someone shares a little nugget of information that makes life easier especially when it saves time, energy or stress.

When I started supporting my elderly parents, I wish someone had handed me a sheet like this - a few gentle truths and practical tips that would’ve saved me some overwhelm.

I’ve been supporting parents and in-laws for over 6 years now, and I’d love to pass on what I’ve learned to help make your journey that little bit smoother.

I’ve created a free download called “What I Wish I Had Known at the Start” - you’ll find the link in the comments.

And if you’d like weekly encouragement and gentle, practical steps to help lighten the load as you support elderly parents, you’re very welcome to check out my blog on Substack. No need to subscribe to read - but if you do, it’ll drop in your inbox each week like a little note of encouragement from a helpful friend.

💐

31/07/2025

The day my Dad turned 90, we were in lockdown.

There was no chance of a party. He was in our “bubble” of five, so we had a family meal at home in the evening. But we couldn’t let the day pass unmarked.
I bought takeaway coffees for a few of his neighbours and we sang Happy Birthday to him through the window.

This week’s blog is about why small visits matter more than you think. After helping my Dad reconnect with friends and family over the past few years, I’ve realised that it doesn’t need to be a big meal or an all-day commitment. A cuppa and an hour of chat can mean the world – and if we leave it too long, we might regret it. There is a link in the comments

24/07/2025

🧠 What really happens at a Memory clinic appointment?

Last week, I went with my 94-year-old dad for his first memory assessment, nearly 10 months after the referral.

I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, and I know many others quietly supporting elderly parents might feel the same.

So this week’s blog shares what actually happened and a few practical things that helped me feel more prepared.

Whether you’re just starting to notice signs in someone close, or are already juggling care and admin, I hope this gives you a helpful head start, or just some comfort that you're not the only one navigating this.

🔗Link to read in the comments

17/07/2025

Supporting elderly parents doesn’t always start with big decisions.

Sometimes, it begins with simple things - physical jobs they used to do but now need a hand with. This week, I reflect on those first signs, and offer a few tips for anyone juggling life, work, and early caring responsibilities.

02/06/2025

How much do you really know about the Blue Badge? 💙

Fancy a mini quiz?
Here are 10 statements - some are true, some are false, some need a bit of explaining. No prizes, just for fun. I’ll pop the answers in the comments later today!

You have to own a car to have one.
They’re only for people over a certain age.
You can only apply if you have a visible disability.
It’s automatically issued with a diagnosis.
They last forever once granted.
It’s just about getting a better parking space.
Only the person named on the badge can use the card.
You can only park in disabled bays.
It’s not a financial benefit.
You can use the badge as photo ID.

Tell me which ones surprised you - and if you have experience of using a Blue Badge.

Address

65
Marlow
SL73ER

Telephone

+447946708093

Website

https://lindaraddon.substack.com/

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