- Money, love and work top the list of things we’re most likely to ask older relatives for their help with
- But half of adults regret not making more time for their older relatives in return
- Personal alarm provider advises families to make sure their older relatives’ needs are being met
When it comes to making sense of finances, coping with relationship problems or getting ahead at work, half of adults (51%) will still turn to their parents and grandparents for help according to new research. But nearly half of people say they regret not making more time for their older relatives in return.
The research for Centra Pulse which provides technology like personal alarms to help older people to stay living independently found that help with money, relationships and work top the list of the things older people are most likely to still be helping their adult children and grandchildren out with long after they have retired.
Half (51%) of people aged between 18–54 said they still turned to an older relative such as a parent or grandparent for help, rising to 57% of 18-34 year olds.
But nearly half (48%) also admitted they regret not making more time for their parents or grandparents in return, leading to Centra Pulse to call for people not to take their older relatives for granted and to make sure their needs are not being missed. It is expecting to answer more than 600 calls an hour over the Christmas period, twice the normal amount, from customers using telecare technology such as personal alarms, smoke detector sensors and mobile GPS watches.
Susan Smart, Managing Director of Centra Pulse, the UK’s largest independent provider of technology, said: “This research reveals that many of us have more to thank our parents and grandparents for this Christmas than we may realise. It also shows how important it is to make sure that they are getting any support they might need from us in return. That could be as simple as making five minutes for a cup of tea and chat or ensuring they are getting the right support to stay living actively and independently.
“Every Christmas we respond to a noticeable spike in calls from older and vulnerable people who rely on our support to stay living safely and independently at home. We’re always fully prepared to offer extra reassurance or emergency support to our customers who rely on our support to stay living independently but would ask everyone to make some time for any older relatives or neighbours who may be feeling a little more alone and vulnerable at this time of year.”
Many surveyed said they also turned to older relatives for help bringing up their own children, for health problems and to carry out DIY. Among over-65s themselves, 41% said they were most likely to turn to younger relatives and friends for help figuring out technology.
Centra Pulse is asking people to show their appreciation for older relatives, friends and neighbours by recording a good deed they have completed on their behalf using the hashtag #makemoretime on Facebook and Twitter.
Centra Pulse is part of not profit organisation Circle Housing. It provides technology like personal alarms, fall detector sensors and mobile GPS watches which provides older and vulnerable with an instant connection to trained telecare call handlers who are able to arrange the appropriate support for their needs.
For more information visit www.CentraPulse.org.uk.
From money matters to family history: 15 things you’re never too old to turn to older relatives for
- Help and advice with money
- Relationship advice
- Work and career advice
- Parenting
- Health and personal problems
- DIY
- Life experiences
- Family matters
- Cookery
- Buying a home
- Accommodation
- Problems with cars
- Historical information
- Emotional support
- Gardening