< Previous60 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY CARING O ne of the first things you need to do if you’re a carer is to tell your GP that you are caring for someone and ask them to mark it on your patient records. By understanding your circumstances, your GP will find it easier to offer the help and support you need. Don’t avoid speaking to your GP about any new symptoms or changes you’ve noticed. Ask your GP about health checks, immunisation and screening programmes that are available to carers and older people. They can help you protect and improve your health and sharing experiences and getting Caring for our elderly relatives It’s becoming increasingly common now for elderly people to stay with their families, at least for the early years before their needs become too great. Transitioning to a carer role, even part-time, can be difficult, however. We lay out some ground rules and advice. 60-63.qxp_Layout 1 15/07/2022 14:56 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 61 CARING © stock.adobe.com/Alexander Raths Here at Ringrose Law we know how important it is to have your personal affairs in order We deal every day with clients who need to make a Will or update a Will. Making a Will is one of the most important things you can do in your lifetime. A valid Will helps protect you and your family. Make a Will With 1 in 3 people in the UK not having a valid Will, it is important that you make sure you have a valid and up to date Will. Making a Will is the only way to ensure that what you want to happen after your death actually does happen. It makes the process of dealing with your money and possessions (your estate) easier for your friends and family. If you don’t make a Will your estate may not automatically go to the people you want to benefit, and unnecessary tax may have to be paid. Unmarried Couples It is a common misconception that unmarried “common law” partners have the same rights as married couples. The reality is that the intestacy rules make no provision for unmarried partners, irrespective of how long they have been together. Some people believe this is out of step with modern society, it can have devastating consequences for a family. We can help Our experienced team has over 50 years of experience between them helping clients with their Wills & Probate matters. Our team prides itself in providing honest, straight forward advice to ensure our client needs are met. Every situation is different. To speak to one of our advisors contact us in Boston, Grantham, Lincoln, Newark and Sleaford or email wecanhelp@ringroselaw.co.uk Nerina Farmer, Head of Wills & Probate AT Ringrose Law advice from other carers can be a lifeline. It is also vital to create a safe environment for your elderly relatives if they are to live at home and one which encourages their independence and autonomy, but which also protects them as much as possible against risk of serious injury or harm. This is especially important if their mind is not what it once was or if the onset of Dementia/Alzheimer’s is prevalent. Creating a safe home environment without making it feel impersonal is not too difficult. Just walk around and look objectively at things like how/where medicines are stored. Ditto with matches, sharp objects or tools. Fit carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and regularly check batteries in them. Also consider fitting or placing fire extinguishers and have them inspected regularly. Look for trip hazards such as extension cords and any other clutter, and watch out for any worn carpets/rugs etc. 63 Á 60-63.qxp_Layout 1 15/07/2022 14:56 Page 262 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Funeral Services Our funeral homes provide the best facilities including private arrangement rooms and peaceful chapels of rest. We also provide a funeral dividend during this difficult time of bereavement. A service from caring professionals To find out more contact your nearest funeral home: Lincolnshire.coop/storefinder Bathing a problem? We can help • Wet rooms • Walk in showers and baths • Waterproof wall panelling • Slip resistant safety yÀ}• Automatic bidet loos • Established family business • Disabled Facilities Grants • Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets • Zero VAT on disabled bathrooms • Discounts for over 60s SSAFA and Ex Service personnel Call for our friendly advice, free survey and quote info@ahminstallations.co.uk www.ahminstallations.co.uk *Terms and conditions apply, visit our website for more details. Unit 7 Flexspace Lincoln Roman Way South Hykeham Lincoln LN6 9UH. Open hours Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm 01522 500288 | 9.19/10 FREE* Winter Storage Only £75 include a Service for only £25 extra Scooters kept securely and charged weekly Service & Repairs We have an up to date fully equipped Service Centre to help with any breakdowns or repairs 207 Roman Bank, Skegness, Lincolnshire Tel: 01754 768006 Hire WheelchairWheelchair £5.00 per day £25.00 per week £25 refundable Deposit Scooter Scooter £15.00 per day £75.00 per week £50 refundable Deposit Proudly serving the families of Gainsborough and the surrounding areas for over 5ȋ years With sincere empathy and understanding, .%*#ˏ"+.ˏyour loved ones as if they were our own. As your local family run and owned funeral directors, we have dedicated our lives to guiding those in our community through the difficult times of bereavement. 41 Heaton Street, Gainsboroughȑ DN21 2EA39 High Street, Saxilby, LN1 2HA www.cliffbradley.co.uk info@cliffbradley.co.uk Funeral Plans from £2,785 Private Chapel of Rest Day and Night Service Pre-paid funeral plans 01427 81061901522 708888 T JU£2.95 NE2022 Jubilee Platinum Country Farm& Fashion Summer Lik BiBusiness Family C COLNSHIRETODAYNETCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET WWW LINC WWW.LINC BLM www.blmgroup.co.uk Lincolnshire Today’s gift subscription for only £27.55 with free delivery Call 01472 310301 or visit www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341 1st 3 £1 Looking for a great gift idea? 60-63.qxp_Layout 1 15/07/2022 14:56 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 63 CARING © stock.adobe.com/Khunatorn Similarly, you might want to discreetly secure any bookshelves or large wall cabinets to prevent them tipping or being accidentally pulled over. As unlikely as this may sound, it doesn’t hurt to be safe. In the kitchen, make sure appliances have an automatic shut-off feature, and keep an eye on your loved one’s lint screens and dryer ducts to ensure laundry equipment works safely when you’re not there. Likewise, in the bathroom, be sure to check that the bath and shower is fitted with grab rails and that there are no slip hazards such as worn rugs. This is by no means an exhaustive list of safety checks, but should help to get your mind in gear, looking out for things that we may take for granted on a day-to-day basis. Last but by no means least, one of the more difficult things to address with a loved one, is of course end of life care, but as that time approaches you will need to prepare yourself to talk with your loved one about the kind of treatment they would like to receive in such a scenario and where they would like to receive it. It may be that your loved one is no longer able to look after themselves, even with further support from you in which case residential or nursing care may well be a timely, sensible and realistic option. It’s really important to get good advice about how to choose a care home, what to look for and, importantly, how much it might cost. You can speak to social services or Age UK. Age UK has guides and information that can help you. Care homes welcome residents’ spouses, partners, relatives and friends and encourage them to continue to enjoy activities together. Tougher still is the reality that your caring role is coming to an end because the person you care for is at the end of their life. Many people want to die at home. Your GP can tell you what support could be available locally to enable this to happen. Marie Curie has useful information to help families appreciate what to expect and about making plans for caring for a loved one at home. It’s important that you get good information and support. Grieving is a very personal thing and each person experiences this in their own way and within their own time frame. If you feel you are not coping, you may find it helpful to contact a specialist organisation like Cruse Bereavement Care. We hope this advice is helpful, but as we cannot hope to cover every possible circumstance, here are a few more organisations that you may find helpful. Age UK National charity providing information, advice and services to older people at both a national and local level. Website: www.ageuk.org.uk Telephone: 0800 169 65 65 Alzheimer’s Society A support and research charity for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their carers. It provides information and support on all forms of dementia. Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk Telephone: 0300 222 11 22 Carers Trust We work to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems. Website: www.carers.org Telephone: 0844 800 4361 Carers UK National charity that provides expert advice, information and support to carers, we connect carers so no-one has to care alone and we campaign with carers for lasting change. Website: www.carersuk.org Telephone: 0808 808 7777 Cruse Bereavement Care Offers information and counselling to people who have experienced the loss of someone close. Website: www.cruse.org.uk Telephone: 0844 477 9400 Marie Curie Offers information, advice and practical support to people living with any terminal illness and their families. Website: www.mariecurie.org.uk Telephone: 0800 090 2309 MIND A mental health charity providing advice and support. Website: www.mind.org.uk Telephone: 0300 123 3393 NHS Choices NHS website providing information and advice on NHS services, healthy living and a wide range of health conditions. Website: www.nhs.uk Revitalise A UK wide charity providing short breaks and holidays (respite care) for disabled people and carers. Website: www.revitalise.org.uk Telephone: 0303 303 0145 Stroke Association This service is aimed at people who have had a stroke and their family and friends. Website: www.stroke.org.uk Telephone: 0303 3033 100 Turn2us A UK wide charity that helps people in financial hardship to gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services. Website: www.turn2us.org.uk 60-63.qxp_Layout 1 15/07/2022 14:56 Page 464 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY AN INTERVIEW WITH… Can you tell us a little bit about Furreal Photography and the work you do? At Furreal Photography I specialise solely in pets and equines, creating bold and beautiful imagery that’s made to be displayed within the homes of those that recognise the incredible bond we share with our furry (or not so furry, as the case may be) friends. We all know too well that our beloved pets aren’t with us for as long as we’d like them to be, and although I can’t freeze time I can give pet owners the next best thing - stunning artwork of their best friend that they can cherish forever. Why did you choose to focus on pets for your eye-catching art? I always knew that I would work with animals eventually, I just didn’t know that it would be through photography. My journey started when I was at college studying Animal Management. I developed a passion for exotic animals and planned to go to university to study herpetology. I ended up with over 50 lizards and 200 tarantulas, spending a lot of my time taking photos of them on my phone until I was gifted an entry level camera from my sister, which led to me creating makeshift studio photos of them! It wasn’t until I got my first dog in 2019 that I started taking my photography more seriously. My Irish Red Setter, Murphy, was in a very sorry state when I got him and I started documenting his recovery on Instagram. Eventually it led to people asking me to take photos of their pets. I took the plunge in early 2021 to quit my day job and pursue photography full time. Fast forward a year and a half, and here we are - I’ve just opened my first specialised pet photography studio! What makes your work stand out next to other photographers? I pride myself in providing a once in a lifetime, tailored experience to my clients and their pets. When I photograph these animals, I look further than a simple image of displaying what they look like - I capture what makes them special in the eyes of their owners. An important part of my process is gathering information about what the owner loves about their pet so that I can recreate this in photos, as well as finding out about their behaviour and preferences. I like to incorporate environments and colours that will catch the viewer’s attention but not take away from the beauty of the subject which makes my images themselves stand out as true artwork ready to be hung on your walls. Sometimes this means getting completely wet-through or covered in mud but it’s totally worth it! I also like to keep my sessions as relaxed and enjoyable as possible, and don’t focus too much on posing pets as this helps to create the best images. Some owners are hesitant to An interview with… Furreal Photography Lincolnshire Today speaks with Kirsty, the award winning, accredited Lincolnshire pet and equine photographer and creative mind behind Furreal Photography. 64-66.qxp_Layout 1 15/07/2022 14:58 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 65 AN INTERVIEW WITH… book in for a photoshoot as their pet is unable to be off-lead or they’re not sure how the pet will behave, but this is where my skills come into their own. Safety is paramount, so pets are kept on-lead and under control. All collars and leads are edited out of images after the session so it looks like they were totally free - even if they weren’t! Although I have only officially been a photographer for a little over two years, I have made some fantastic achievements in national and international awards, achieving over 30 placings in 2022 alone as well as recently achieving my Licentiateship under the Master Photographers Association. What has been your favourite shoot? My favourite photoshoot was in August 2021. I was approached about doing some portraits of two ladies and their horses on the beach whilst they were visiting Field Farm - but they had one special request! The owner of one of the horses had sadly lost one of her mares and wanted to scatter her ashes over the beach - doing so whilst riding her other horse! The resulting image was truly heart wrenching and a few tears were shared between us on that day. How can people find out more and contact you? You can view my full portfolio and find all of the information you need at www.furrealphotography.co.uk. If you have any questions or would like to discuss booking a session you can email me at kirsty@furrealphotography.co.uk. Find me on Facebook and Instagram: @furrealphotographs 66 Á 64-66.qxp_Layout 1 15/07/2022 14:58 Page 266 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY AN INTERVIEW WITH… Win a FREE session with Furreal Photography for your furry friend! Lincolnshire Today is offering a chance to win your dream photoshoot for your beloved pet with Furreal Photography. To be in with a chance of winning, just send an email with the subject heading ‘Furreal Photography’ to competitions@blmgroup.c o.uk. The competition closes at 23:59 on 31 August 2022. The winner will be chosen at random and notified by email. T&Cs: * Entrants must be willing to travel to Ostler’s Plantation (LN10 6WE), to the Furreal Photography studio in Freiston (PE22 0JZ), OR be responsible for travel fees over 30 miles from Coningsby, LN4 - at 25p per mile. * The giveaway is for the session fee only and the winner will be required to attend a viewing appointment after their session to choose their images. There is no obligation to purchase anything from the viewing appointment, and no minimum spend requirement. INCLUDED IN THE SESSION: * A 1-hour portrait session with Furreal Photography for your pet * A 6x4” gift print * A private, in person viewing session to view and select images Furreal Photography’s five top tips for catching that perfect shot: 1) Focus on the eyes. This will add depth and personality to your images - so make sure they’re in focus! 2) Keep it fun. A bored pet will result in lack-lustre images. To keep them entertained avoid repeating things too many times, in close succession. Let them have some fun during their impromptu photoshoot and they will be more willing to work with you for longer! 3) Keep an eye on your background. Avoid busy backgrounds with lots of people or distracting elements. Keeping it simple is the best way to draw the eye to the subject, making a better photo overall. 4) Shoot at eye level or below. For horses, this is super easy since most are already at eye level or above with us, but if you’re taking photos of dogs, cats or any other animal for that matter, you’re going to want to be sitting or laying flat on the ground to get the best image. 5) Get their attention just as you’re about to take your photo - but don’t overdo it! Making silly noises is the best way to grab a pet’s attention and get them to look at the camera. Realistically, though, you only have 3 opportunities with these noises before they will ignore it. If you’re lucky, some dogs will give a head tilt for strange noises. 64-66.qxp_Layout 1 15/07/2022 14:58 Page 3ORDER FORM Yes, I would like to subscribe to Lincolnshire Today magazine for the next 12 months, with the first 3 issues only being £1. 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Lincolnshire DN31 2QE Make cheque payable to Business Link Magazine Group & Call now to subscribe on 01472 310301 8 or order online www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341 Total Price: £27.55 Subscribe today 4 great reasons to subscribe... 3 Each issue is brimming with a diverse topic range... • Heritage • Fashion • Hair & Beauty • Leisure • Homes & Gardens • County Motoring • Dining Out • What’s On • Free Reader Giveaways and much much more… 3 First 3 issues only £1! 3 FREE delivery to your door 3 Receive your copy before it hits the shops or Scan QR Code RIL2022 T AP£2.95 Air Amb Lincs & N blnce Ntts Lincolns Artistic tin motoring County hi Boston L COLNSHIRETODAY.NETCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET WWW.LINCWWW.LINC BLM www.blmgroup.co.uk T COLNSHIRETODAOLNSHIRETODA WWWLINC.LINC T JU £2.95 UL Y2022 Ma rk et T M a rvell o Tow H er it H er ita Cou nty C an c er M acm ill Suppo t l BLM www.bl mgroup.co .uk Ga rdens Hom es& H & OD AY .NE T OD AY .NE T WWW.LIN C WWW.LIN C C OLN SH I RET O C OLN SH I RET O First 3 issues for £1 Looking for a great gift idea? A gift Subscription is the perfect present that lasts all year round! 67.qxp_Layout 1 15/07/2022 12:51 Page 1 Summer is here, so we’ve done our research on the coolest convertibles for this season. Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge 68 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING 68-71.qxp_Layout 1 15/07/2022 13:03 Page 1Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge If the standard Rolls-Royce Dawn is the pinnacle of luxury, then the 155mph Black Badge Convertible is the identical but slightly evil twin. A bit like a gravelly-voiced baddie in a Bond movie, there’s an aura of well-roundedness and sophistication, but you know you’re playing with fire if you get too close. As the name suggests, Black Badge replaces much of the chrome with black. It is still the same 6.6-litre V12 engine below the bonnet, but there’s now 600PS instead of 570. The Black Badge will do 0-62mph in 4.9-seconds – and you’ll know about it. The engine noise is delightful as you put your foot down, and it accelerates very quickly, but not in a boisterous or ungainly way. In the front, there’s a lot of space, and, being a Convertible, you’d imagine that it’s a requirement to have tiny legs to get into the back. But you’d be wrong. Thanks to the car being almost 5.3-metres long, you could be nearly as comfortable in the rear seats as a four- door Phantom. There are also 295 litres of space in the boot, although this reduces with the roof down. It is rapid for such a hefty car and, for something not built for sporty handling, it’s not bad around the bends either. All you need to do is find the best part of £350,000. 70 Á LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 69 COUNTY MOTORING 68-71.qxp_Layout 1 15/07/2022 13:03 Page 2Next >