12 minute read
Later Life
FROM RETIREMENT PLANNING TO CARE HOMES AND MOBILITY, THERE ARE MANY THINGS TO CONSIDER AS WE GET OLDER. HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST LOCAL PROVIDERS…
CARE HOMES & RETIREMENT VILLAGES
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CHANTRY COURT
Suitable for everyone from retiring downsizers to those looking for assisted living, Chantry Court comprises 68 individual properties ranging from the smallest 1-bed apartment through to luxury penthouse suites and a 3-bedroom 2 storey lodge house. The village is located within the heart of Westbury, enabling residents to have maximum independence and access to the town’s amenities as well as 24/7 support just in case they need it.
Just like any village, Chantry Court has a range of facilities to help meet residents' needs and add to the feeling of community and companionship. These include a first-class restaurant with sun terrace, bar, lounge, library room, hair salon, cinema, doctor’s facility and therapy rooms. Those keen on keeping a full social diary can partake in clubs, musical events and resident led activities and trips can be arranged inhouse. There are group quizzes and games and a library (with full Internet access) further making the village environment at Chantry Court perfect for residents to do exactly as they please.
Chantry Court in Westbury
The village staff are here to support residents 24/7 with a wide range of services, and they have an in-house registered domiciliary care service operating across the village to provide personal care if, and when, required. Properties can be bought outright or rented on a short or long-term basis. To find out more call 01373 828800. • chantrycourt.com
CARE AT HOME
EVERLIFE
Enjoying good quality life experiences, especially in the current climate, is important to everyone. These include being able to maintain independence, having control over decisions that affect our lives, maintaining health, learning and maintaining skills and having the respect of others around us. This is important in every area of our lives especially in our own homes. This is where Everlife can help. Their dedicated staff work within their local communities assisting those who need extra help and personal care to do those activities that have become more difficult. Their care and support workers help in many ways providing assistance, reassurance and encouragement to meet the challenges of everyday life.
EverLife can support you in your own home
They will provide support, company and friendship and are trained to recognise there may be a need for more personal care and support and can help you with your more intimate daily routine such as washing and getting ready in the morning. They can also provide more intensive care following an illness, discharge from hospital or long-term caring needs. Call 01225 719333 to find out more. • everlife.co.uk
SAFE CARE
Safe Care was established in 2004 and has expanded over the years to meet the demand of the services they provide. They are a friendly local family-run business that puts people first.
You can have care cover ranging from one visit a week to several visits a day. They cover Trowbridge, Bradford-on-Avon, Melksham and surrounding villages.
Should you require further information, please don't hesitate to get in touch and their friendly team will be pleased to assist you with any queries you have. They operate 7 days a week, 365 days a year. • safecare-wiltshire.co.uk
SOMERSET CARE
When you’re seeking support to remain independent in your own home, the most important thing is that you receive the support you need to live the life you choose.
Whether you need help with domestic tasks or meal preparation, support with medication or personal care, or simply a helping hand to get out and about in the community, receiving the right care and support can be life-changing. When your needs are taken care of, you are free to pursue your hobbies and interests, and live life to the full.
Somerset Care is a major care provider in the region
As a major care provider in Southern England and one of the largest not-for-profit care companies in the UK, Somerset Care's community care teams across Wiltshire, Somerset, B&NES and Devon can help you to remain safe, happy and healthy in your own home. They can support you as much or as little as you would like, as all care is tailored to you and your individual needs. What matters to you matters to them; wherever you are on your care journey, they are committed to supporting you every step of the way.
• somersetcare.co.uk
SELF-CARE, MOBILITY & SUPPORT
BUSY BEES
Busy Bees is a local, friendly and reliable cleaning and garden maintenance company, based in Frome. Busy Bees has established a large client database of over 2800 customers since 1998 and that continues to grow on a daily basis.
Their services include domestic cleaning, offering a regular cleaning visit or a one off deep cleaning service (they adapt to your individual requirements), carpet and upholstery cleaning, ironing, garden maintenance (regular or one off visits) and pressure washing of paths and driveways. The variety of services available makes them ideal if you are struggling with some everyday household tasks, or simply want to relax knowing your home and garden will stay clean and tidy.
Busy Bees cam help keep on top of your home and garden maintenance
All staff provided by Busy Bees are experienced, uniformed, trained, fully insured, Covid-compliant and employed directly by Busy Bees. The company prides itself in providing a flexible approach to suit their customers’ needs, while offering a wide range of services. With one telephone call they can lighten your workload, so don’t delay and give them a ring on 01373 455911 to discuss further. • busybees2000.co.uk
LIFE & MOBILITY SOLUTIONS
Life & Mobility have showrooms in Warminster, Trudoxhill, Shepton Mallet & Melksham
This family run mobility equipment supplier has four local showrooms, one in George Street, Warminster, another in Trudoxhill near Frome, another in Shepton Mallet and a recently opened branch in Melksham. Life & Mobility Solutions supply all major mobility equipment including rise and recline chairs, adjustable beds, stairlifts, mobility scooters, living aids and much more. They have over 30 years’ experience within the industry and can offer help and advice on most things connected to your mobility.
Owner Mark Cawthra and his team believe in presenting you with all the options, so you can make an informed decision on what is best for you. They carry products from all the leading manufacturers but are not tied in with any one of them, meaning they can offer you clear, impartial advice. Call to find out more or visit their independent showrooms. If you are unable to get to any of these, they also offer a free home visit and delivery service – get in touch to find out more.
• lifeandmobility.co.uk
SOUTH WEST HEARING CENTRE
South West Hearing Care's branches are fully independent
South West Hearing Care, which provides private hearing care services across Somerset, has recently opened a new hearing centre in the centre of Westbury. The centre offers patients a purpose built sound proofed testing facility.
South West Hearing Care's branches are fully independent meaning they are not tied to any manufacturers so clients are always advised freely and with educated, clinical expertise. They specialise in the provision of latest custom-designed hearing solutions not available through the NHS. This can include hearing instruments but also tinnitus management, hearing protection products and ear wax removal services too.
Consultations are by appointment; which can be arranged at your convenience. There is no pressure to purchase at any time, and they are happy to provide advice about a client’s long term hearing ability and associated quality of life. To make an appointment call 01373 823076 or head to the website.
• swhearingcare.co.uk
LEGAL & FINANCIAL
GOUGHS SOLICITORS
No-one wants to think about their demise, but have you considered just what might happen to you, your belongings and those left behind should something happen? Whilst the pandemic has given many of us a reality check, a staggering number of people still haven’t had a professional will prepared.
A Will ensures your wishes are acted on, upon your death. It also gives you a place in which to indicate how you might want your funeral to be carried out. Whilst this wouldn’t be legally binding, it does give your loved ones assurances that they are doing as you would wish.
Many people believe that if they don’t own a house or have a lot of money in the bank, that there is no point in having a Will. This simply isn’t true, your assets stretch much further than you might think and include personal possessions, bank accounts, life insurance and even digital assets. have come to include social media, Spotify, iTunes, funds held with PayPal, eBay, any other financial interest (such as Cryptocurrency or online banking services), and so on.
Your executor(s) are the people named in your Will who will administer your estate. They ensure your wishes are followed. You can appoint almost anyone you want, but you will need to make sure they are over 18, trustworthy and capable of carrying out their role.
For more information on creating a Will that suits you and your lifestyle, get in touch with the Goughs Private Client Team, by visiting the website or emailing pcenquiries@ goughs.co.uk
• goughs.co.uk
KINGFISHER IFA
How you choose to build up cash or other assets for your retirement is up to you. There is no doubt that saving, using the tax advantages and low cost of a modern pension plan, is the best way to build up the largest lump sum. Pensions have changed dramatically, now benefiting from far more freedom, flexibility and choice than ever before. The Government stakeholder initiative has slashed charges and you no longer have to buy a fixed annuity or accept poor investment choice. Unspent pension funds can also now be bequeathed, often tax free, or you could take it all out to buy a Lamborghini - but watch out for the hefty tax such lavish spending would attract! Either way there is less excuse than ever before not to build decent sums confident you, or your heirs, will get to enjoy the proceeds! It is, however, vital to grasp your retirement provision will need to be in the hundreds of thousands of pounds before a decent income can be realised after you retire. This sounds daunting but there are things you can do.
Start now by reviewing any existing private pension arrangements you have to see if you can reduce charges and boost performance. Also ensure you are at least saving something every month via a workplace or personal pension plan or even an investment backed ISA. Do always take advantage of any free employer contribution boost which should be available to most workers.
When you reach retirement age do not undo all the good work by simply accepting the first annuity deal you are offered. There are now so many choices and so much freedom that it is easy to make the wrong choice and undo all your years of saving. By contrast Kingfisher IFA regularly deliver significant boosts to client’s income, as well as giving flexibility and control to those who seek professional advice,
making professional advice a great investment. As one of the region's most qualified and experienced IFAs Richard Salter, a Bradford on Avon resident and Partner at Kingfisher Independent in Trowbridge, is pleased to offer a no obligation free first meeting. Use this to help ensure you are on track, enjoying the best value for money and decent growth prospects as well as making the most informed retirement choices when the time comes. Contact Richard on 01225 308370 • richard@kingfisherifa.co.uk
W.T.P.
W.T.P., based in Bath, is a specialist firm offering professional Will writing services. Their directors and associates have over 40 years of combined experience in the profession, making them real experts in the field. All work is undertaken professionally, confidentially and at a time and place convenient to customers. You can visit their office on Lower Bristol Road, or, if you prefer, they can visit you in your own home at a time to suit you. W.T.P. is highly experienced in all manner of requirements and estates of all sizes. Whatever your assets, you will want them to benefit your family rather than the state. W.T.P. provide a complete advice service that as well as ensuring your estate will be distributed as you wish, will also enable you to minimise the impact of inheritance tax or the amount social services can take to cover your care as you get older. Unlike solicitors, W.T.P. specialises in this small area of the law and charge a fraction of the price, and by contrast with many simple DIY Will kits, W.T.P. ensures your Will can be legally enforced. Their consultants are trained to advise and take your instructions by clearly explaining the legal and technical implications, free from jargon. To find out more call 01225 400060. • wtponline.co.uk
WTP is a specialist firm offering professional Will writing services
FUNERAL PLANNING
THE CO-OPERATIVE FUNERALCARE
Provide peace of mind for you and your family with a bespoke funeral plan from Southern Co-operative Funerals.
None of us likes to think about the end of life, but by planning ahead, but we can spare the people we love from difficult decisions at a painful time. Their pre-paid, bespoke funeral plan can be tailored to your individual needs so you can choose exactly what you want. The cost is fixed and protects you and your loved ones from any rising costs.
Southern Co-operative Funerals:
• Are tailored to your individual needs
• Contain no hidden costs
• Offer flexible payment options
• Offer protection from rising funeral costs
• Ensure your money is safe
To find out more visit the website.
• funeralcare.co.uk
