Buildmumahouse

AVOID FALLS: Learn the facts. Take the pressure of the NHS. #StayHomeStaySafe NHS.UK: Anyone can have a fall, but older people are more vulnerable and likely to fall, especially if they have a long-term health condition. 1 in 3 Falls are a common, but often overlooked, cause of injury. Around 1 in 3 adults over 65 who live at home will have at least one fall a year, and about half of these will have more frequent falls. Most falls do not result in se

#benches4bottoms Reclaiming park benches for people who want to sit on them. The schools are closed, gyms are closed, the office is closed. In London, my local park, Tooting Common, is full. 7am Monday morning. The usual dog walkers and their dogs are squelching through the mud, a Dad’s working out with his young son on the football field grass, loads of couples of all ages running along the wooded paths… I could write a whole blog post about keeping a dist

5 Steps to an Ageless Garden Spring is my favourite time of year. I love stepping outside and spotting a clump of green shoots that have just pierced through the dark wet soil. One day a branch is brown, next morning there are buds swelling and leaves peeping through… and then comes the knock-out scent of daffodils and hyacinths on the cool air. Plants and sniffing the air in a garden just makes me happy, gardening

I tried wheelchair rugby and it was #BRUTIFUL ! The knot in my stomach tightened, my legs felt like lead, I’m so rubbish at sports. I walked up to Britannia Leisure Centre. I’ve never played rugby. I’ve never been in control of a wheelchair. What if I humiliate myself, let my team down? Nobody will want me in their team. I’ve already arrived late. I opened the swing doors to the sports hall, sports noise blasted out at me: a refe

Make someone happy. Make ’em Polish chicken soup. Yes, it’s true, Polish chicken noodle soup IS Polish penicillin. Make it because it’s warming, it’s comforting, it awakens the appetite, it’s good for young fussy eaters, it’s good for anyone who is unwell and it’s delicious when you are feeling happy or like me today with a case of the Sunday Blues. We call it Rosół- that’s pronounced ro-soow. T

Decluttering! Where do I start?? On December 31st 2019 at 6pm I sat down with a glass of water and I decided to lose weight, get fit and organise my life in 2020. I had spent the day looking at social media friends galloping around the British countryside, taking fabulous photos of trees and interesting ‘things’ or grinning in country pubs. If I had posted pictures of my day you would have seen me elbow high in jumper

Calculate BTU or how to choose the right size radiator. How do you calculate the correct size of radiator for each room? Getting the right size radiator for your room will save money and also help you keep an even temperature in your home. The rule of thumb seems to be to install radiators that are just a bit more powerful than your calculation so that when you install the valves you can turn the heat down – under powered radiators only means

The Buildmumahouse Guide: How to Measure up Curtains You’ve got some fabric that you love. How do you make curtains? In 1981 I had some 1950’s fabric and I wanted to my some cool curtains for my flat and my mum bought this book.  “Sewing by Ann Ladbury” It looked so 70’s even then. But among smock tops, big cuffs and patch pockets shaped like an apple, I found the clearest ever guide to making curtains, blinds, cushion

Mobility issues and LIDL- #LIDLSURPRISES Is Lidl the only UK supermarket that has useful stuff for the elderly, disabled and anyone with reduced mobility? Are they tackling mobility issues head on? Today, Sunday 18th September 2016, I would definitely say YES! We’re all queuing up at Lidl checkout, today. Doing my Sunday shop today, I came across a whole range of mobility aids that are really well priced and really useful. It is fa

5 Easy Steps to Make Your Garden Accessible and Enjoyable “I love my garden but I don’t have time for it.” “I miss my garden but I’m too old and too ill to go out there and do any gardening.”  At Buildmumahouse I’ve found that there are 5 easy steps that you can take to make your garden, patio or balcony more accessible. It’s really important for anyone old, weakened by illness, depressed or less able R

Turn the lights on with a wide rocker…! They were all the rage in the 1970’s and have proved to be spot on after your 70’s. I’m talking wide rockers, wide light switch rockers. I installed MK Logic Plus wide rocker switches in my mum’s house and they have proved to be a delight for her to use. Easy on her arthritis…and as they are MK they have an light, smooth but positive switch action. Last year they went

The Buildmumahouse 10 step guide to your forever home. I’ve found my forever home and I don’t intend to move. I love my home and I want to start making it the perfect nest for me. I don’t know what lies ahead for me health wise but I do want to grow old here. How can I make my home as ageproof and as beautiful as possible? I’ve put together a top 10 step guide and suggestions based on my experiences as a carer and Buildmumahous

The right LED can change your life! Do you find that you can’t see as well at home in the evening? Do you need to ask for help to change light bulbs? Would you like to make savings on your electricity bills? Would you like create mood lighting in your home? LED bulbs may be the answer! I think that the right LED can change your life. There’s been a lot of change in light bulb technology and loads more choice in the shop

Look no wires! Qmotion Automated blinds. I first saw the Qmotion blinds at Decorex and went WOW! I need. I want. I love them! If you’re into nets and curtains you won’t get it but if you like the streamlined look of a sheer blind in the day or a blackout blind at night, you’re going to get why these are great.   c) QMotion   I’m 5 foot nothing much and can’t reach the “acorn” on the spr

Calculate BTU or how to choose the right size radiator. How do you calculate the correct size of radiator for each room? Getting the right size radiator for your room will save money and also help you keep an even temperature in your home. The rule of thumb seems to be to install radiators that are just a bit more powerful than your calculation so that when you install the valves you can turn the heat down – under powered radiators only means you

Calculate BTU or how to choose the right size radiator. How do you calculate the correct size of radiator for each room? Getting the right size radiator for your room will save money and also help you keep an even temperature in your home. The rule of thumb seems to be to install radiators that are just a bit more powerful than your calculation so that when you install the valves you can turn the heat down – under powered radiators only means you

Authors for Grenfell Tower: An Online Auction Raising money for the British Red Cross to go to resid I want to tell you about this online auction raising money for the British Red Cross London Fire Relief Fund, for residents affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. Around 1:00 a.m. on 14 June 2017, a fire in this residential tower block in west London spread to engulf the entire building. Despite the heroic efforts of the fire service, all 120 flats in the building have been destroyed. The de

Authors for Grenfell Tower: An Online Auction Raising money for the British Red Cross to go to resid I want to tell you about this online auction raising money for the British Red Cross London Fire Relief Fund, for residents affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. Around 1:00 a.m. on 14 June 2017, a fire in this residential tower block in west London spread to engulf the entire building. Despite the heroic efforts of the fire service, all 120 flats in the building have been destroyed. The de