Oops. There was an error loading this page.
  • Welcome to the Work+Family Space for Sample client for DEV only
  • Get in touch
    • Request a call back

      Our team is available 7:30am to 7:00pm, Monday to Friday.

      Contact us
    • Email us

      support@myfamilycare.co.uk
    • Call us

      0345 241 5306

  • Join today
  • Sign in

Sample client for DEV only

Work+Family Space

×

Welcome to the Work+Family Space for Sample client for DEV only

Join today Sign in
  • Request a call back

    Our team is available 7:30am to 7:00pm, Monday to Friday.

    Contact us
  • Email us

    support@myfamilycare.co.uk
  • Call us

    0345 241 5306

Work+Family Space
Sign in Join today
  1. Home
  2. Emergency Childcare

    Register for full access

    Take a few minutes to sign up for full access to the Work+Family Space:

    Join today

    Already registered?

    Sign in

    Last minute nannies, nurseries & childminders

    Whether it's a last minute panic, or an anticipated gap in childcare, we provide the choices that parents want.

      1. Nannies
      2. Nurseries
      3. Childminders
      4. How to Book
     
    Read more: Emergency Childcare
     
  3. School Holiday Cover

    Register for full access

    Take a few minutes to sign up for full access to the Work+Family Space:

    Join today

    Already registered?

    Sign in

    Be prepared for the next school holiday

    Ideal for filling those awkward care gaps during the school holidays, we provide easy access to holiday clubs nationwide.

      1. Holiday Clubs
      2. How to Book
     
    Read more: School Holiday Cover
     
  4. Backup Adult & Eldercare

    Register for full access

    Take a few minutes to sign up for full access to the Work+Family Space:

    Join today

    Already registered?

    Sign in

    Care for adult dependants, or yourself

    We can provide a qualified and sensitive domiciliary home carer when your normal arrangements have let you down.

      1. Home Carers
      2. When We're Used
      3. How to Book
     
    Read more: Backup Adult & Eldercare
     
  5. Ongoing Care

    Register for full access

    Take a few minutes to sign up for full access to the Work+Family Space:

    Join today

    Already registered?

    Sign in

    Expert advice to help you find permanent care

    We'll take the time to understand your family's needs, you'll be provided with guidance to support your search.

      1. Arrange Consultation
     
    Read more: Ongoing Care
     
  6. Coaching & Development

    Register for full access

    Take a few minutes to sign up for full access to the Work+Family Space:

    Join today

    Already registered?

    Sign in

    Personal and professional development

    Life is all about change... we have a wealth of experience developing and supporting people in many different roles, environments and life stages.

      1. Parental Leave Toolkit
      2. Toolkit for Managers
     
    Read more: Coaching & Development
     
  7. Knowledge Centre

    Register for full access

    Take a few minutes to sign up for full access to the Work+Family Space:

    Join today

    Already registered?

    Sign in

    A wealth of help and support

    Access advice, support, interesting articles, upcoming and archived webinars, and downloadable content.

      1. Speak to an Expert
      2. Webinars
      3. Insider Guides
      4. On Our Minds
      5. Being a Dad
      6. Offers
      7. FAQs
      8. Education Spotlight
     
    Read more: Knowledge Centre
     
  • Emergency Childcare
  • School Holiday Cover
  • Backup Adult & Eldercare
  • Ongoing Care
  • Coaching & Development
  • Knowledge Centre
  • Overview
  • Parental Leave Toolkit
  • Toolkit for Managers
  • Overview
  • Speak to an Expert
  • Webinars
  • Insider Guides
  • On Our Minds
  • Being a Dad
  • Offers
  • FAQs
  • Education Spotlight
Work+Family Space
Join today Sign in
You are here: Home > Knowledge Centre > On Our Minds > Helping Your Elderly Parents With Their Admin
Print
 

Helping Your Elderly Parents With Their Admin

 

If your elderly parents are beginning to struggle with day-to-day bills and paperwork, you may well have concerns. We consider how you can help ease the burden and ensure things remain under control

 
 

main admin elderly

Sometimes I pretend to be my Dad.

The first time was back in the 80s when I forged a note to excuse myself from cross-country.

The most recent time was a year or so ago when - at his request and with his permission - I called his telecoms provider to cancel an unwanted TV channel subscription. Although he is now very elderly, it was easy to 'be' him. I knew his full name, his address, his date of birth, and his account number - and I quite enjoyed talking in a grand and slightly geriatric voice, channelling J R Hartley.

It's not the proper way to do things and although no crime was committed there are better ways to go about helping an elderly relative with their admin burden. These tips may help, especially if you have growing concerns and the person you are helping wants your input.

Make a List

First off, get to grips with the overall situation; the extent of your relative's admin universe. Things may be simple and well-organised, or there may be a huge spread of organisations to be aware of. For starters look for:

  • Utility companies
  • Insurance providers
  • Health and medical organisations
  • Financial services institutions
  • Direct debits
  • Standing orders
  • Subscriptions and renewals

If there's a particular concern and your relative is comfortable, then checking bank statements can ensure nothing is missed - and help identify anything that immediately needs attention.

Get Authorised to Act

Sometimes when you wish to act on a relative's behalf you can just phone up and do it - cancelling a medical appointment for example. With anything vaguely account-based or financial, you might be able to get things done if you have the right answers to the security questions - as I was. But it's better to get registered on the account as an authorised third party. Requirements vary, from form filling to simply verifying by handing the phone to your relative for approval.

Act from a Distance

Doing admin and paperwork together may be a time-drain and tiring. If you live some distance away, you may wish to discuss having access to their email account, set up email forwarding to help ensure you are clued in to expiry dates, renewals, reminders or simply amend the email address for certain organisations to contact you, to ensure you don't miss important correspondence.

Give Ongoing Advice

Depending on your relative's abilities, you might want to advise them on how to keep themselves safe from potential fraudsters and 'phishing' emails pretending to be from, say, HMRC, broadband provider, or bank. If you can, insist that they don't click on any links, or respond to any such emails - or phone calls - however convincing they might seem.

Be Proactive

Providing reactive help is great - but you might also be able to proactively act and intervene. In my father's case, I helped him to accept he could no longer safely drive due to his medical condition. I helped him update the DVLA website, get rid of the barely-used car, and reclaim unused road tax, driving insurance premiums, and parking permits. You can also discuss any other things that you feel might be beneficial, whether it be arranging gardening help, a cleaner, or supermarket deliveries.

Check for Entitlements

Do also take the time to check for any benefits, discounts or privileges, due to your parent's age, health, finances or domestic situation. Some things may be triggered automatically but it's certainly worth double-checking entitlements including:

  • Pension credits
  • Council tax discounts
  • Cold weather/winter fuel payments
  • Bereavement benefits
  • Disability allowances

You may even help them claim back refunds or missed payments. Remember even without a car your relative may be entitled to a 'blue badge' disabled parking permit which you can use when taking them on their errands or to appointments.

Shop Around

Are there better deals you can secure for your relative? If your relative has never switched their utility company insurance or broadband providers, or not done so for many years, then they may well be being billed on expensive and uncompetitive tariffs.  Big savings on these can be made by changing to a new, alternate provider.  It may not be a high-priority, but when you have time and inclination, then personal finance comparison sites could help you save your relative hundreds of pounds - or much more - each year.

Be Data Secure

Taking on someone else's admin could well mean a whole host of new account details to know and security checks to pass. If you are making a note of these, do so in as secure way as possible to minimise any data breach. You might keep a digital record in a secure folder, or a paper copy in some format, or commit things to memory - whatever works for you is fine, but do ensure you are not creating extra vulnerability for your relative.

Consider Who Else is Involved

Do be aware of any other people who are also assisting - or who might be willing to assist - and be sure to liaise with them to discuss or explain your thoughts and actions. This could be other family members, neighbours or carers who are also providing ad hoc support, or it could be people who are providing professional services such as an accountant, or solicitor.

The Power of Power of Attorney

If your concern with your parent or relative is not just about easing the burden but that they are losing the ability to make decisions for themselves, then you should look at helping them set up Power of Attorney, which will allow others to make decisions and act on financial, legal, health and medical matters. It may be an awkward conversation to have with a parent who is currently fully able to make their own decisions, but remember, Power of Attorney must be created - even if not executed - before any serious decline or loss of that ability.

Just do the Best you Can!

All of this takes time and effort, and unless you need to act quickly because of a sudden decline in mental or physical health, then you may just wish to begin the process gradually. This will not only make it easier for you, but also help ensure your relative is more comfortable with the transition and support and not overwhelmed by too many sudden changes.

Do remember that although time spent troubleshooting everyday admin can reduce the amount of quality time you spend together, your efforts and input will surely be greatly appreciated.

---

Simon



USEFUL LINKS

Power of Attorney: Don't Leave it Too Late

The information in this article was correct at the time of publication. We regularly fact-check all our content but please note that data, links and advice may change in between reviews.
<p>Care for adult dependants, or yourself</p>

Backup Adult & Eldercare

Care for adult dependants, or yourself

We can provide a qualified and sensitive domiciliary home carer when your normal arrangements have let you down.

Find out more
Tags for this article
Published 25/05/2022
Life Stages: Ageing Parents, Eldercare
Topics: Being a Carer, Legal & Financial Advice, Multigenerational Care
You are here: Home > Knowledge Centre > On Our Minds > Helping Your Elderly Parents With Their Admin
Print
<< Back to On Our Minds
<< Previous
|
Next >>
<< On Our Minds
Related articles
 
  • 9 Stimulating Activities for a Parent with Alzheimer's
  • How to Persuade Your Elderly Parents to Accept Outside Help
  • How to Deal with Stress and Burnout as a Carer
  • Sudden Grief
  • Power of Attorney: Don't Leave it Too Late
Work+Family Blog

9 Stimulating Activities for a Parent with Alzheimer's

20/06/2022

Encouraging your parent to maintain their interests and relationships can not only lead to a better quality of life, but it can even reduce the effects of the disease (particularly memory impairment). | If you have a parent living with Alzheimer's,...

Read more
Work+Family Blog

How to Persuade Your Elderly Parents to Accept Outside Help

25/05/2022

If you've noticed your parent or elderly relative is becoming less able to cope in their own home it might be time to suggest some outside help. Adam Pike from SuperCarers gives some advice on how to successfully broach the subject | Nobody wants to...

Read more
Work+Family Blog

How to Deal with Stress and Burnout as a Carer

25/05/2022

"Caring is hard work and it is all too easy to put unrealistic demands on yourself, despite a desire to do your best at all times - but it can lead to physical, emotional and mental exhaustion." Adam Pike from SuperCarers looks at why carers can...

Read more
Work+Family Blog

Sudden Grief

25/05/2022

What to expect and how to cope with it or help support others going through sudden bereavement | No one is ever fully ready to experience loss, but sometimes it arrives on our doorstep unexpectedly and uninvited. It may be useful to have a few...

Read more
Work+Family Blog

Power of Attorney: Don't Leave it Too Late

25/05/2022

If you are involved in the care of an elderly parent or relative, a Power of Attorney can give you authority to act on their behalf if they lose the ability to make their own decisions. This overview will brief you on what you need to know - and...

Read more
 
 

Services of Interest

Backup Eldercare

Are you combining work with the care of elderly relatives? When normal care arrangements let you down, we can provide a qualified and sensitive backup domiciliary home carer.

Ongoing Adultcare

Receive expert advice to help you find the right care for your loved ones.

We'll take the time to understand your family's needs, you'll be provided with guidance to support your search.

Insider Guides

A library of invaluable, detailed guides for you to download.

Handy sections include work life balance, parenting and childcare, education, and eldercare advice.

Speak to an Expert

You can arrange a call with one of our work+family experts.

Our straightforward, friendly and honest approach ensures you receive genuinely relevant advice.

 
Top

Your Services Your Services

  • Overview
  • Emergency Childcare
  • School Holiday Cover
  • Backup Adult & Eldercare
  • Ongoing Care
  • Coaching
  • Parental Leave Toolkit
  • Toolkit for Managers

About Us About Us

  • Overview
  • Our History
  • Meet Our Team
  • Testimonials
  • Useful Links

Contact Us Contact Us

  • Get in Touch
  • 0345 241 5306
  • Company Details

Legal

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Notice
  • Accessibility
  • Site Map

Get Started... Get Started...

Join today

Your personal details are always safe with us. Our security measures

We use cookies to provide the best web experience. By visiting this website you are accepting our Privacy and Cookie Policy.

All content available within the Work+Family Space, including imagery and logos, remains Copyright © Work+Family Solutions.

We are proud to be part of Bright Horizons. Registered in England & Wales No: 5905564.

Chat
Contact
  • Join in a few easy steps

  • Create your account

  • Your Life Stages

  • Services of interest

  • Terms of use

  • Success!

  • Error

Your details are safe with us
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6

About you

Do you want to add additional contact numbers?

* Required information
* Required information

Sign in details

* Required information
* Required information

Tell us about you and your family

Please select all the Life Stages relevant to you and your family. This allows us to show you the most useful content, and send you the most relevant newsletters. We've pre-ticked "Work+You" - we think it's handy for everyone!

  • Planning for Parenthood
  • The Early Years (0-3)
  • Pre-School
  • Primary School
  • 11+ to Teens
  • Work+You
  • Ageing Parents
  • Eldercare

You and your work

From your chosen Life Stages, we think you'll benefit from the following

Would you like to use a Backup Care service?

Before you can book, we'll ask you later for more detail about you and your family.

  • Emergency Childcare
  • Backup Adult & Eldercare
  • School Holiday Cover

Your permanent care arrangements

We can support you whether you're searching for the first time, or changing arrangements.

  • Care Choices

Maternity, adoption, and additional paternity leave

Manage your career from preparing to take leave, through to your return to work.

  • Parental Leave Toolkit

Manage parental leave in your team

We'll help you to help them have the best departure, leave, and return to work.

  • Parental Leave Toolkit for Managers
- Choose leave type -
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sample client for DEV only verification

Before you can use the Work+Family Space, our system will check that your email address is eligible.

Using the Work+Family Space
and give express consent, should I make a care booking, for the personal data I provide, including relating to my children/dependants, to be passed to care providers as part of the booking process. I understand that my choice of care provider and some basic information regarding my use of this service will be provided to my employer.
* Required information
* Required information

Sign in to your account

Loading...
Forgotten password?

Not a member yet?

It only takes a minute to create your account and get started with your Work+Family Space.

Bubble App: Babysitters & More

Bubble App: Babysitters & More

Free access to Bubble Plus

Bubble is a childcare search app, helping thousands of working parents quickly and conveniently arrange ad-hoc and regular childcare, help with household chores, or additional family support.

You won't have to pay a booking fee on 'sits' in the app, allowing you to find sitters / nannies / housekeepers / pet sitters on a recurring or block booking basis. You simply pay for the cost of care.

Note: By accessing the app links you will be leaving Work+Family Space and accessing a 3rd party website. Please note that Bright Horizons privacy policy and security practices are not applicable on 3rd party websites.

Simply use your work email when signing up on the app:

Get it on Google Play Download on the App store