Grandmother moving in with me

Errata

........... or just get her to start talking about 'stuff' with you and record it.
The BBC did a terrific oral history project on WW2 with older people, who had terrific and hilarious things to say about the black market, soldiers returnng after and absence of 3 years to find they had a year old child - and what the neighbours had to say about it !

ukmaggie45

Merrywidow wrote: »

Ask her to write down everything she remembers - even if you don't use it for a while.

If you can, video.

Use a cheap cassette tape recorder. Mum made a tape using the recorder I bought to tape lectures (back in 1995-ish).

We tried to get family history from my parents but they just didn't seem to want to talk about it. Or not to us.

Good luck!

superpup

Recording her is a lovely idea. Is it doable on a laptop with a microphone thingy shoved in a usb port? Then I could edit it and send cds to my Dad. Wish I'd done this with my Grandad now :sad:

sp x

ukmaggie45

superpup wrote: »

Recording her is a lovely idea. Is it doable on a laptop with a microphone thingy shoved in a usb port? Then I could edit it and send cds to my Dad. Wish I'd done this with my Grandad now :sad:

sp x

I don't see why not, but I'm not very good on video and such like.

Webcams are relatively inexpensive, though quality (especially picture) won't be as good as from a "proper" camcorder. I'd hoped to video some sessions with my parents, but I think by the time we bought the camcorder it was too late.

I've got a little MP3 player (cheap from Aldi) that I think can be used to record as well as to download stuff. If you see what I mean! Suspect you'd get better sound if you used a small microphone rather than just the built in one. But haven't tried to use it as a recorder yet - we are still running round like lunatics trying to finish clearing my parents' flat so no time to play with toys!

I so wish I'd made better notes of family stories - it's horrid how fast you lose the details. Good luck with recording some of you Nan's tales.

Maggie

Primrose

What a lovely person you are! Your grandmother is lucky to be so cherished.
Others have posted some very practical suggestion but don't forget, if she's not already receiving it, to apply for an Attendance Allowance for her. The form will need to be countersigned, I think by her GP, so getting her enrolled with your GP practice, if she moves in with you, should be a priority once she's living with you but having some extra money will mean help with funding the little things that make life easier or more pleasant for her.
If she likes reading but her eyesight isn't too good, RNIB have a machine for playing CD's for books and talking newspapers, and your local library will probably have a good supply of popular books and novels for loan. I suggest getting machine which plays CD's rather than cassettes as they're easier for the user to handle (and you don't have to bother rewinding the casettes).

Also, if your gran is going to be on her own all day, Age Concern have a system of befrienders, where a volunteer will pop in for a cup of tea and a chat once a week or take somebody out for brief outing. Contact your local Age Concern group if you think you gran would welcome a little company. Good luck. All of us who have cared for an older generation wish you well. You are taking on a great deal, so look after your own health. It's only too easy, when caring for others who need a great deal of support and attention, to neglect your own physical well being.

superpup

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

I don't see why not, but I'm not very good on video and such like.

Webcams are relatively inexpensive, though quality (especially picture) won't be as good as from a "proper" camcorder. I'd hoped to video some sessions with my parents, but I think by the time we bought the camcorder it was too late.

I've got a little MP3 player (cheap from Aldi) that I think can be used to record as well as to download stuff. If you see what I mean! Suspect you'd get better sound if you used a small microphone rather than just the built in one. But haven't tried to use it as a recorder yet - we are still running round like lunatics trying to finish clearing my parents' flat so no time to play with toys!

I so wish I'd made better notes of family stories - it's horrid how fast you lose the details. Good luck with recording some of you Nan's tales.

Maggie

Hi Maggie

I think you're right. A microphone would probably be better. I bought my DD2 a camcorder for Christmas as it was just before my Grandson was born so perfect timing really. I'd forgotten about that. We'll be able to film her loads

I'm sorry it was too late for you. Have you found some things to give you some nice memories whilst clearing out?

sp x

superpup

Primrose wrote: »

What a lovely person you are! Your grandmother is lucky to be so cherished.
Others have posted some very practical suggestion but don't forget, if she's not already receiving it, to apply for an Attendance Allowance for her. The form will need to be countersigned, I think by her GP, so getting her enrolled with your GP practice, if she moves in with you, should be a priority once she's living with you but having some extra money will mean help with funding the little things that make life easier or more pleasant for her.
If she likes reading but her eyesight isn't too good, RNIB have a machine for playing CD's for books and talking newspapers, and your local library will probably have a good supply of popular books and novels for loan. I suggest getting machine which plays CD's rather than cassettes as they're easier for the user to handle (and you don't have to bother rewinding the casettes).

Also, if your gran is going to be on her own all day, Age Concern have a system of befrienders, where a volunteer will pop in for a cup of tea and a chat once a week or take somebody out for brief outing. Contact your local Age Concern group if you think you gran would welcome a little company. Good luck. All of us who have cared for an older generation wish you well. You are taking on a great deal, so look after your own health. It's only too easy, when caring for others who need a great deal of support and attention, to neglect your own physical well being.

Thank you Primrose

A lady from Age Concern popped in once a week to sit with Granddad while Nan went shopping and she used to chat with her a bit but then she stopped volunteering and no one else went. I will try and see if she wants to call them again. I think there may be more volunteers down here and I know a few people who would probably be more than happy to pop in and sit with her for a little while.

Her eyesight isn't bad at all so as long as I can get her local paper down here, she'll be happy for now. She's not a book reader but I definitely get the talking newspapers if necessary later.

I will look into attendance allowance but I'm not sure if that's the one that's means tested in which case I wouldn't qualify as I earn too much to qualify for any benefits. I'm not too worried anyway as it's not going to cost any more really, for her to live here, and she has her pension and a small pension from my Granddad's work and I know she'll want to chip in a bit with this.

thanks

sp x

elsien

I don't think attendance allowance is means tested, as my grandma gets it, and she's loaded. You also don't need to be actually getting the help it specifies, just be entitled to it - if that makes sense?
Still full steam ahead then?
(I've just spent a happy afternoon in Brum tracking down supplies of old lady aertex knickers - and they still make them! Guess what grans getting for her 92nd birthday next week - I really know how to spoil her.:rotfl: )

Errata

AA isn't means tested and doesn't depend on National Insurance contributions. Given your nan's age she would almost automatically get the higher rate. Go for it - it will pay for treats for her.

superpup

elsien wrote: »

I don't think attendance allowance is means tested, as my grandma gets it, and she's loaded. You also don't need to be actually getting the help it specifies, just be entitled to it - if that makes sense?
Still full steam ahead then?
(I've just spent a happy afternoon in Brum tracking down supplies of old lady aertex knickers - and they still make them! Guess what grans getting for her 92nd birthday next week - I really know how to spoil her.:rotfl: )

:rotfl: I have a photo of my DDs (early teens at the time) posing in my Nan's bedroom both with a pair of these on over their pyjamas. My Nan, bless her, :A had put some on the side for DD1 saying 'I expect she's started wearing ones like these now'. :rotfl: I can't believe they still make them either!

Still full steam ahead. Out of the 7 plumbers that turned up to quote for my central heating, I've had 3 quotes back. I'm going to chase the others tomorrow and if I don't get any more in by the end of the week, I'll choose from what I've got. Don't think it'll get done until November though and then I need to get the bathroom finished but all hopefully in enough time so it's nice for her when she comes to stay at Christmas.

I'll give attendance allowance a bash then. I could put that into a treat pot and let her pick one every week!

sp x