Why decluttering needs diplomacy Written by a client of Every Home Matters. "Being a bit of a squirrel means I can get very sentimental about my stuff. I was always fascinated and amused at the way the Mona Lisa – considered to be one of world’s greatest artistic icons, was ‘abused’ by mischievous designers. Over [...]
How to Calm anxiety in 3 simple steps. Is anxiety affecting you, your family or your friends? Anxiety is a normal human response to some situations, but the problem is when it starts to control your life. Anxiety disturbs your peace stopping you doing what you want to and may create physical symptoms such as unwanted emotions, heart racing, [...]
Loneliness, isolation and losing your independence Working hard and socialising is something we all try to balance and when we get it right, we don’t have a care in the world. We live for the moment and though we may try and make provisions for difficult times, we can never be certain of what [...]
Managing the home both during and after a divorce Moving and divorce are both listed amongst the most stressful things we will experience in our lives, but it does not have to be! Holding on to feelings of hurt, anger, resentment, retribution is damaging for everyone around us, especially when children are involved. There [...]
Working through the stress and finding your mojo! Life can be so stressful and unpredictable, more so when we are up against it and no matter what we do we just cannot find a breakthrough. Many of my clients, are extremely intelligent, are highflyers with huge responsibilities or deadlines to work to. The adrenaline [...]
About the Client Miss B is a middle-aged woman living alone and in isolation, in a one-bedroom, top floor apartment. The apartment forms part of a four-storey block of flats with no lift and is owned by a Housing Association. Her challenge. Miss B had been abused as a child, experienced heartache and several [...]
This is a guest blog by Jo Tocher giving you insights to the 7 stages of grief and loss. Apart from losing our freedom by being in quarantine and lockdown, we are also losing our work, our businesses, and sadly some family members to the virus. One of the most difficult things to deal [...]
Buyers Advocate Buying a house is one of the single largest investments and one of the most stressful processes we will undertake during our lives. Throw other factors into the equation; work commitments and family matters for example and sometimes this process can become a very difficult and painful challenge particularly at times of [...]
Living Alongside Mental Health Disorder Depression can arise from many sources: childbirth, bereavement, relationship issues, financial concerns, work or the lack of it. There are so many people struggling with everyday worries and stress which, when coupled with a significant life experience, can boil over and have a detrimental effect on anyone. Some people [...]
Nondisclosure and Concealment of Mental Health The past few decades have seen a huge growth in public awareness regarding mental health disorders, but until relatively recently, many such conditions were widely overlooked by the general population. Though medical professionals are now better equipped to detect such conditions, a historical lack of diagnosis paired with [...]
Keep going! Like a tree I stand tall. A poem to inspire you, by Cheryl Carter. 'Like a tree I stand tall, my roots firmly grounded as I grow. Where naivety to the storms and diseases of life once stood, I accept whatever the conditions and go with the flow. Being put to the [...]
Our Founders story - an interview by Dorota Chioma. The article was written by Time to Change Kingston Champion, Dorota Chioma. She explores the varying states concerning the mind and mental health and created the Venusian Guide to Kingston - Mental Health Zine as a project for TTC Kingston Hub. This publication explores the [...]
Getting the home ready to see your loved ones settled again when back from hospital can be a busy time for carers and is so beneficial to those we are looking after. Why Declutter? Decluttering and organising the home at a time of illness or lack of mobility not only reduces any risks of [...]
Unconditional Love Is A Wonderful Thing Parents will always worry over their children’s well-being and success, sometimes to the extent that it is all too easy for us to become obsessive or competitive. But when we get caught up in ensuring that our children obtain high-income jobs and high-level qualifications, we can fail to [...]
“Which” Top Reasons For Writing A Will When writing a will, you don't just decide how your estate is divided up! You also have a say as to WHO should look after your dependents, your pets, your digital assets, and the list goes on! Here is the Which guide to Top Reasons for Writing [...]
Declutter as neglect or hoarding problems pose a risk to health and safety. In my personal and professional life, it has been my experience that many individuals who are living with cognitive impairment or have been institutionalised, find it difficult to cope with maintaining their home once they return to independent life. Conditions such [...]
Keeping the matrimonial home after divorce Divorce does not necessarily mean the disposal of the family matrimonial home and if financially feasible it can be agreed until the children reach a certain age. By doing so it can relieve the stress of having to downsize and most importantly will give the children maintain familiarity [...]
You owe yourself the love that you so freely give to other people Love can be so strong and positive when it’s a two-way thing. It can build bridges and be so uplifting, but what do we you do when the one you love is no longer there or they no longer love you? [...]
The early stages of dementia and intermittent memory loss The early stages of dementia can bring with it intermittent memory loss, which may not be diagnosed at the time of carrying out a capacity test. Many people fear the diagnosis of dementia and when in denial find a way to play this. Signs to [...]
What happens when a loved one dies? The process leading to probate and trusted advisors This video is an overview of the process leading to trusted advisors. Are you unsure about the probate process? Have you recently been appointed to administer an estate? Or are you a Solicitor looking for independent trusted advisors to [...]
We were called in via an elderly clients’ solicitor to assist in collating some vital paperwork. Our clients are an elderly couple, Mr being 90 years old and his wife 85 years old. Mr has dementia and suffered PTSD since the war and Mrs who was having falls and losing her memory, was his [...]
How mother nature can teach us so much. Life is constantly changing, and we need to be able to adapt to those situations as and when they arise. This is easier said than done and when we are in the thick of it, it can be hard to see that when life is stagnant, [...]
Improve your Well-being with Alternative Therapies In a world surrounded by people and social media, you can still feel alone. To grow up in a family whether unconditionally loved or not, having others around you to interact with, stimulate the mind and encourage change for good or bad reasons, is an interaction that makes [...]
Nothing Is Forever, Even Our Worries I had the pleasure of being in the company of a truly inspirational 91-year-old gentleman, living in Northwood and looking to downsize his family home. He has the energy of someone in their 70’s and even looked it! It was a privilege to hear him talk about his [...]
Overwhelmed with paperwork? How we helped stop circumstantial hoarding. About the Client “Mr and Mrs M are a a retired couple living alone in a large 3-bedroom house. Mr M is in his 90’s, has dementia, is hard of hearing and has suffers night terrors ever since serving in the forces. Mrs M who [...]
Sudden realisation and acceptance that we are losing our independence, mobility, and the ability to cope The sudden realisation and acceptance that we are losing our independence, mobility, and the ability to cope can be hard to come to terms with, especially when we have lived a full life and been very active and [...]
Mental Capacity Test The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) is designed to protect and empower people who may lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions about their care and treatment. It applies to people aged 16 and over. It covers decisions about day-to-day things like what to wear or what to buy for [...]
The Advantages of Selling “Homes Under the Hammer” Are you looking to sell a property? You have probably investigated all the traditional methods and have decided there is likely only one way - to go with an estate agent and hope for the best. With over thirty years' experience in real estate, witnessing many [...]
Petition to allow communication with medical professionals about the health of our loved ones Reformation of patient confidentiality protocols is long overdue in particular regard to the health and wellbeing, mental illness, and loss of capacity of our loved ones, within the health and social care services. Unless a power of attorney is appointed, [...]
Living with dementia and struggling to manage at home? EHM was asked to provide a consultation with a client who’s Father has dementia and was struggling to manage his home. The gentleman was living on his own; in a two bedroom split level maisonette. The maisonette was part of a purpose built complex and [...]
Personal Maintenance when living with cognitive impairment In my personal and professional life, it has been my experience that many individuals who are living with cognitive impairment or have been institutionalised, find it difficult to cope with maintaining their home once they return to independent living. Conditions such as depression can be disabling, with [...]
Financial Care Solutions Having known Cartiona Lumiste for several years on a professional level and as a fellow Trustee at Carers Support in Merton I value not only her professionalism but her integrity and honesty. It is, for this reason, I asked her to provide a blog… Who cares about care? It’s not easy [...]
Professional Advice and Support During Divorce Divorce is often described as bereavement. Accepting change can be difficult, coming to terms of the loss of a relationship, the home and sentimental possessions can soon fuel our emotions, resulting in aggression, bullying, and controlling behaviour. For the person on the receiving end of this hostility, it [...]
Are you looking for extra support for a family member? Do you need support with independent living? Here are some of the many benefits of Every Home Matters and how we help our clients. ✅ Supporting clients through life-changing situations; illness, age, disabilities, bereavement, mental health issues ✅ Supporting clients in managing and keeping [...]
A Chartered Surveyors Guide to RICS Probate Valuations Dealing with the complexities of probate and inheritance tax can become less stressful if you find an auctioneer who specialises in valuations in this field. This article explores ‘What is an RICS Probate Valuation?’, and looks at the best source of help in evaluating property in [...]
The Value of Independent Care Advice Before making any decisions about eldercare options you will want to make sure that you are obtaining accurate and relevant information from a reliable and well-informed source. My 20 year's Nursing Experience I am a registered nurse who qualified from Guys Hospital in London in 1983 and who [...]
How Learning to Love Yourself Brings Inner Strength and Peace. Love can be so strong and positive when it’s a two-way thing. It can build bridges and be so uplifting, but what do you do when the one you love is no longer there or they no longer love you? We naturally think that [...]
Would a stranger, who does not know your child be the best person to decide about their welfare? Up to the age of 18, children have the protection of their parents, thereafter they are suddenly classed as an adult with sometimes complete strangers making decisions about their welfare and well-being. In most families, parents [...]
Why make a Lasting Power of Attorney? Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) are legal documents that allow you to appoint someone to manage financial affairs and other matters on your behalf during your lifetime. 1. Property and Financial Affairs: This allows one or more people (referred to as Attorneys) to act in relation to [...]
How we decluttered a man’s home living alone with dementia and what happened next. Parents will always worry over their children’s well-being and success, sometimes to the extent that it is all too easy for us to become obsessive or competitive. But when we get caught up in ensuring that our children obtain high-income [...]
Finding our strength in adversity. I wrote a poem to give me strength during my personal journey. I hope you enjoy it and it brings you strength too. "Like a tree I stand tall, my roots firmly grounded as I grow. Where naivety to the storms and diseases of life once stood, I accept [...]
"Why Don't You? Why Don't You Just Switch Off Your Television Set and Go and Do Something Less Boring Instead?" For those of you too young to remember this was a BBC children's television series that started back in the '70s. Quite apt when you think how much time we spend in front of [...]
Wise words from 2 men I admire; one downsizing, one my Dad. I had the pleasure of being in the company of a truly inspirational 91-year-old gentleman, living in Northwood and looking to downsize his family home. He has the energy of someone in their 70’s and even looked it! It was a privilege [...]
Fear, denial, anger and acceptance in a mammagram centre Having had my mammogram and ultrasound I returned to the waiting area and as I took my seat I began anxiously to wonder whether the results would be positive or negative. The wait felt like an eternity, and my thoughts drifted before realising how many [...]
9 ways to cope when love is one-sided. Love can be so strong and positive when it’s a two-way thing. It can build bridges and be so uplifting, but what do we you do when the one you love is no longer there or they no longer love you? When love is one-sided? We [...]
About the Client “Mrs H” is an elderly lady, who is looking to downsize her property after the death of her husband. She contacted Every Home Matters for emotional support as she had to give up some of the family possessions as well as the logistics required in moving. Their Challenge Mrs H and [...]
Widowed and no family available to assist with downsizing Mrs S and her husband had lived in their family home for sixty years. They had raised their family there, celebrated many milestone occasions, and shared many happy moments. Mr S had worked in a bank and so they entertained many friends and colleagues. Then [...]
What to do with immense feelings of loss In a world surrounded by people and social media, you can still feel alone. To grow up in a family whether unconditionally loved or not, having others around you to interact with, stimulate the mind and encourage change for good or bad reasons, is an interaction [...]
Taking care of Mum and Dad for you, when your job won't let you. We were called in via an elderly clients’ solicitor to assist in collating some vital paperwork. Our clients are an elderly couple, Mr R being 90 years old and his wife 85 years old. Mr R has dementia and has [...]
Fear of Loneliness and Isolation in Death An increasing population means an increasing number of people living alone and in isolation, and their fear of something happening to them without anyone knowing can cause terrible anxiety. As an estate agent, I witnessed many upsetting scenarios such as this, but it still shocks me when [...]
Case Study 3 'Mr P': Social Services appointed us to manage the logistics of his move. About the Client “Mr P” is an elderly gentleman living with his dog in a three-bedroom property that he owns outright. He is infirm, struggles to walk upstairs using two walking sticks, and also suffers from self-neglect. He [...]
From Cleaning to Counselling to support independent living About the Client “Mr B” is a retired gentleman living alone in a large 3 bedroom house. He is a former builder, however, he has been unable to look after himself or his property since the death of his wife, 3 years previously. Their Challenge Mr [...]
Carers are our unsung and unpaid heroes. Change can be difficult for many of us and learning to adjust can prove challenging for any able body person. Controlling those emotions and keeping active both mentally and physically through stressful times, is what we are all advised. This is all fine when we have good health, including [...]
Coping with illness and disability while moving home "Our wonderful experience with Cheryl Carter and Every Home Matters" By Mr D (Merton) "During the late summer of 2015, we were notified by our landlord that he would be selling his property that my wife and I had rented from him for 11 years. Since I [...]
When television is your new best friend? A lonely child might invent an imaginary friend, but for adults, reprieve from loneliness comes from a less creative source: television. As we age, friends and family pass away or live miles away, have busy lifestyles, and so sometimes people's social circles can become smaller and they do [...]
When Getting Divorced Keep A Record Of All Your Possessions. Divorce is often described as a bereavement. Accepting change can be difficult, coming to terms of the loss of a relationship, the home and sentimental possessions can soon fuel our emotions, resulting in aggression, bullying and controlling behaviour. For the person on the receiving [...]
Stress: Fight or Flight? We never know what life has in store for us; at one moment, you could be a high flyer without a care in the world and at the next, you could be faced with a life-changing trauma, your world could be turned upside down, with the possibility of losing everything [...]
7 actions you can take to stay positive when it feels like your life is falling apart I had the pleasure of talking to Catherine Pratt today who has these proven tips to help you in difficult times. Catherine was recently asked the following question about how to stay positive in a rough situation [...]
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” – Dalai Lama BY LEO BABAUTA I believe compassion to be one of the few things we can practice that will bring immediate and long-term happiness to our lives. I’m not talking about the short-term gratification of [...]