Caring after our health and well-being

Having a happy and healthy life is something most of us desire. We want to live life to the full, enjoy and live long enough to experience and achieve all that we want.

Not only do we want to be happy and healthy ourselves but we also hope our loved ones are healthy and happy too.

As a parent one of my biggest desires is to live a long life, being as healthy as I can be throughout my years so that I see my children grow old. To see what path their lives lead down, what they achieve and experience as well as what families of their own they create…..perhaps a few grandchildren I can dote on.

Medical care - the good and the bad

Here in the UK we are blessed to have the NHS.

Personally I am extremely grateful and proud of the NHS. I take my hat off to NHS workers whose hard work and care in stretched circumstances make the NHS amazing.

I fear for the future for myself, my children and future generations if the NHS crumbles.

Without it health issues of my loved ones may have ended in a different story.

The worry of paying for medical care and treatment when ill or having experienced an accident is a daunting thought.

Caring for an elderly loved one

Whilst we may not like to think of our loved ones getting older and struggling with old age, time ticks on and we all get older with old age causing difficulties to some people’s lives. As old age creeps up on people being able to maintain an active and independent life sometimes becomes increasingly more difficult.

Being able to get out and about easily especially being able to drive oneself places may become a challenge. Looking after the home and coping with household chores may become too much. Caring for and managing to clothe, wash or even feed oneself may become too difficult.

When a loved one starts to struggle with looking after themselves due to the difficulties and declining health that old age can cause family members have to consider living arrangements and long-term care.

How to live an independent life with Arthritis.

As I’ve mentioned before many of my loved ones are affected by arthritis which impacts on their daily lives. I have seen my loved ones who suffer from arthritis struggle to complete daily tasks such as dressing and making meals, simple tasks that most of us take for granted.

I have witnessed my mum who suffers from  Rheumatoid arthritis deal with daily pain and a battle to live independently. I have also seen my granddad who suffers from Osteoarthritis worsen over the years, being less able to life independently as his symptoms gradually get worse and take over his life.

For the over 10 million people living with Arthritis in the UK it can be hard to live an independent life.  Due to the fact that arthritis has a damaging effect on the effectiveness and flexibility of joints throughout the body suffers have to deal with symptoms such as pain, stiffness and reduced movement all of which has an impact on their daily lives and what tasks they can complete.  

Unfortunately this commonly known disease currently has no cure and as arthritis is a degenerative disease sufferers will see the symptoms of arthritis worsen over time which sadly has a knock on effect on how independent a life they can lead. Thankfully though there is equipment available to help support arthritis suffers and enables them to lead an independent life.

Passionate about helping people live independently, NRS Healthcare who specialise in disability equipment, mobility aids and rehab supplies have produced a useful infographic guide to show arthritis suffers the different equipment available to help them lead a more independent life. 

How to register with the NHS – plus a thank you to the NHS

Being currently pregnant with our second child and once again having numerous hospital appointments for growth scans, tests, and consultant check-ups as well as midwife appointments, I am once again reminded of that the fact that I am fortunate to be living in the UK where I have access to a great healthcare system – the NHS.

It is thanks to the NHS that I, like other UK residents, have access to medical care regardless of how much or how little money we have.

I can’t imagine how difficult and worrisome it must be to be pregnant without access to free or affordable healthcare, let alone deal with an injury, illness, medical emergency or long-term health problem.