Able Community Care

09/10/2026

Friday Care Tip, 9th October 2026.
The clocks go back on 25 October.
A few simple checks on lighting, heating and routines for an older person living at home.

The clocks go back on 25 October. A few simple checks on lighting, heating and routines for an older person living at home.

03/10/2026

Live-in care is about more than care. It is about enjoying life.

This morning we discovered that two of our older male clients regularly attend their local Men’s Sheds, in completely different parts of the country. It was lovely to hear.

Men’s Sheds offer friendship, conversation, shared interests and the chance to get involved in practical activities. As we get older, simply getting out and continuing the things we enjoy can become more difficult. That is one of the things live-in care can help with.

A live-in carer can provide the support and confidence to keep going to a club, meeting friends, enjoying a hobby, popping into town, or simply remaining part of the local community. For our two gentlemen, that happens to include their local Men’s Shed.

The UK Men’s Sheds Association is the charity that supports Sheds across the UK. A Shed is a community space where men come together to make, mend and share skills. Plenty of members go mainly for the tea and the conversation. The aim is simple: better wellbeing and less loneliness.

The Association does not run the Sheds. Local groups do. It was set up in 2013, when there were about 30 Sheds, and became a registered charity in 2015. Its map covers the UK, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

Find a Shed near you: https://menssheds.org.uk/find-a-shed/

Because good care should not only help someone stay at home. It should help them keep a life outside it too.

02/10/2026

Friday Care Tip: 2nd October 2026
Scammers are sending texts that look as if they come from a GP surgery, often asking you to update details, confirm an appointment or pay a fee. You do not need to click or reply to keep your place.
The checks worth making

Genuine GP texts exist. Fake ones ask for bank details, PINs or a click. How to check a message, what to do, and how to report it.

25/09/2026

This week’s Friday Care Tip: 26 Sept 2026
October is Free Wills Month.
If you are 55 or over, a participating solicitor can write or update a simple will at no cost. Couples only need one person to be 55. Appointments are limited, and bookings open on 1 October.
An up-to-date will makes your wishes clearer for the people you leave behind.
https://www.ablecommunitycare.com/blog/free-wills-month-october/?

October is Free Wills Month. People aged 55 & over can have a simple will written or updated by a participating solicitor at no cost.

25/09/2026

The Friday Care Tip - 26th September 2026

Friday Care Tip – Free Wills Month Starts in October
October is Free Wills Month, giving many people aged 55 and over the opportunity to have a simple will written or updated by a participating solicitor at no cost. The scheme is supported by a number of well-known UK charities and takes place twice each year, in March and October. If you are making wills as a couple, only one of you needs to be 55.
Having an up-to-date will can ensure that your wishes are followed and may make things much easier for those left behind. It can also be an opportunity to review matters such as executors, guardians, funeral wishes and any changes in family circumstances.
Industry research from Estatesearch indicates that roughly 7 million existing wills in the UK may no longer reflect a person's true wishes, due to changing family circumstances, changing tax legislation or the death of a beneficiary.
Appointments are usually limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you are interested, enquire early. Bookings for this October open on 1 October. Free Wills Month generally covers straightforward wills; more complex arrangements may involve additional costs which the solicitor will discuss with you.
Further information can be found at Free Wills Month. Enter your postcode on that site, or search online for “Free Wills Month”, to see whether participating solicitors are available in your area.
Posted by Able Community Care. www.ablecommunitycare.com.
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If you have missed any previous Friday Care Tips, you can read them here: https://www.ablecommunitycare.com/news/

Updates and news for Able Community Care in the U.K and Channels Islands.

24/09/2026

Autumn is Here – A Little Extra Help Can Make All the Difference
As the autumn leaves begin to fall and the evenings draw in, many older people, particularly those living alone in rural villages and remote communities, can find the colder months a little more difficult.
Imagine having someone there to share a cup of tea and a chat, prepare a favourite meal, help with the shopping or simply provide the reassurance of knowing someone is close by.
That’s what live-in care can offer.
At Able Community Care, we have been helping people remain in the homes they love since 1980, surrounded by their familiar belongings, gardens, pets and neighbours.
Whether home is in a busy town, a quiet country village or on an offshore island, we can help arrange live-in care and companionship.
We would be delighted to send you our FREE information brochure, whether you are looking for care now or simply exploring the options for someone you love.
📞 01603 764567
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.ablecommunitycare.com
Because there really is no place like home.

18/09/2026

Could you, or someone in the family, be missing out on Pension Credit?
It is not the State Pension. It is extra money for people over State Pension age on a low income — and hundreds of thousands of households who could get it have not claimed.
You may still qualify if you own your home, have some savings, or already get a workplace pension. Even a small award can unlock other help, such as Council Tax support, Cold Weather Payments or a Warm Home Discount.
The claim is free. You do not need to pay a company to apply.
Read our Friday Care Tip for the official figures, how to claim, and a short note on scams:

Pension Credit can top up a low income after State Pension age and unlock extra help with bills and health costs. Check GOV.UK to claim.

11/09/2026

The Friday Care Tip 11th September 2026
Friday Care Tip
Waiting a long time for a hospital appointment or operation?
Many people in England do not realise that under the NHS Constitution, you may have the right to choose where you receive your treatment. This can include another NHS hospital or, in some cases, an independent hospital providing NHS-funded care. The NHS pays for the treatment in the usual way.
If you are facing a lengthy wait for planned treatment such as a hip replacement, knee replacement, cataract operation or other non-emergency procedure, speak to your GP or hospital team and ask whether alternative providers with shorter waiting times are available. Patients referred for consultant-led care generally have the right to choose their provider and clinical team.
The NHS Constitution also states that patients should start consultant-led treatment within 18 weeks of referral, or be offered suitable alternative providers if this is not possible.
A simple question could potentially reduce your waiting time by weeks or even months.
Please note: The "Right to Choose" described above applies to patients in England. Scotland and Wales have different arrangements, although patients may still be offered treatment at alternative hospitals if this helps reduce waiting times or provides access to specialist services
Posted by Able Community Care

Trusted live-in care across the UK & Channel Islands since 1980. Reliable 24-hour support so you can stay in your own home. Contact us for friendly advice

11/09/2026

Friday Care Tip
Waiting a long time for a hospital appointment or operation?
In England, many people do not realise they may have the right to ask about another NHS-funded hospital if the wait is long. It does not apply in every case, and your GP or hospital team still decides what is clinically right.
A calm question at the right time can sometimes reduce a wait by weeks or months.
We have set out what the right usually covers, the 18-week standard, and the questions worth asking.

04/09/2026

Autumn is a good time to check in on older relatives living at home. A boiler service, working smoke alarms, a well-stocked cupboard and a spare key with a neighbour can make winter far more comfortable. We have put a short checklist together here:

Autumn checklist to help older relatives prepare for winter. Heating, alarms, food stores, outdoor safety and free fire safety visits.