Mon 13 Jun 2022

How can we help to ensure you don't have to tackle loneliness alone?

This week (13 to 17 June) is Loneliness Awareness Week hosted by the Marmalade Trust. Everyone can experience loneliness, and this has never been more apparent than after the uncertainty many have experienced in the past two years as a result of the global pandemic. The aim of the campaign is to get people talking and to reduce the stigma, which can be associated with admitting you are lonely.

Although loneliness affects everyone, the elderly population can be more vulnerable to feeling lonely and isolated. Even with the easing of restrictions and more people socialising, there remains many elderly people still living cautiously due to being at high risk of developing complications from the virus. 

Often people worry about admitting to feeling lonely. We would encourage anyone to express any feelings of loneliness, as there are many organisations ready to help you feel supported.

The Morton Fraser MacRoberts Later Life team exists to provide the right support to you or your loved ones if assistance is needed. Our aim is help people feel more comfortable and supported in a way which suits their own personal circumstances.

The Morton Fraser MacRoberts Later Life team 

Our Later Life team can arrange for many types of services, tailored to each individual, to assist with day-to-day living as well as your financial and welfare affairs. When planning for later life, many elderly people wish to remain in their home as long as they can. If you wish to remain in your home, the team have a specialist understanding of the services available to assist you to do that. For example, they can help you arrange for home aids to be installed or for carers to attend regularly. They can also arrange for cleaners to attend regularly or for tradespeople to carry out important jobs around the home.

Of particular note, the Late Life team can help you to obtain support for your mental health, in addition to organising care for your physical health. For instance, if you are struggling with feeling lonely and in need of company, we can put you in touch with various organisations that can assist. Our team visit our clients regularly and stay in touch by telephone where appropriate. We can also put you in contact with a befriending service to help you find companionship with like-minded individuals.

It was reported in May 2022, that those who feel lonely are more likely to be worried about money than the wider population. The team can assist you with managing your finances should you require that.  We usually commence this by carrying out a review of your financial position as well as assessing the government and local authority entitlements you might be entitled to claim.

How can the Later Life team help you to manage change?

There may come a time where your situation changes, perhaps as a result of poor health or the loss of a loved one - both experiences can be especially lonely. You may want or need to consider moving home, be that to a more suitable property, to sheltered accommodation or into a care setting. Some can find this move daunting. Our team are very experienced in assisting clients with managing significant change in their lives and can offer advice regarding the options which are available to you to allow you and your family to make the right decision for you.

How can you protect yourself and your family with the Later Life team services?

The best way to feel confident in your future financial and welfare wellbeing is through careful planning. In addition to ensuring that you have an up-to-date Will and Power of Attorney in place, we recommend drafting guidance letters for your attorneys and executors, setting out your views on your future care arrangements, or on your attitude to inheritance tax planning, which can be invaluable guidance to those you have trusted to act on your behalf.  We can assist you in drafting these legal documents, as well as guiding you in your decisions as to the most suitable people to appoint as attorneys and executors, to give you peace of mind for whatever lies ahead.

If you would like to speak with somebody about the services the team can offer, please contact Louise Barrington or Denise McKenzie.

Make an Enquiry

From our offices we serve the whole of Scotland, as well as clients around the world with interests in Scotland. Please complete the form below, and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.

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