The house manager came to see me this morning to say that I do not qualify for the County Falls Service pendant alarm as there are already so many pull cords, one in every room (and a push button one in the bathroom). We both agree that it is a pity when it is a better use of resources than having an ambulance and 2 trained staff (so far it has always been a paramedic and an ambulance technician), but we have done our collective best, so that is that.
I am arranging to return the pendant alarm that I have been wearing (well, sometimes - it is sitting beside the monitor just now, and if I turn round I can reach the pull cord). As I think I have said, it was a big disappointment that it did not go through to the same call centre as the pull cords - the people there are very familiar with the way things operate here.
Other than that I have been struggling with a book that my daughter loaned me. It is called The Puppet Master by Ian Gosling.
It is his first novel, and the biographical bit at the beginning does not say by what route he came to writing this. It reminds me of more than one television series, and indeed, could have been written with the idea of a television series as his aim.
Still, I don't like giving up so I shall struggle on.
Showing posts with label pendant alarm.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pendant alarm.. Show all posts
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Physiotherapy
Do you remember that I had a home assessment visit from a community physiotherapist?
If not, pay more attention at the back!
When I got to my exercise class this morning, I was told that they had a whole lot of new exercises for me to help with my balance (and confidence) and to strengthen my legs.
You would have laughed to see me doing some of the exercises. Doing toe rises (repeated going on to tip toe) without holding on I kept losing my balance, but eventually managed a few.
Marching on the spot (with the physio standing behind me with her hands at my waist, but not holding), was not on the spot but a forward progression.
I am having to increase the stepper each week and the shuttle walk.
There was an odd one with a board which had strapped to it stretchy bands of different colours (and correspondingly differing flexibility). I had to hold one foot under the band and raise the toe off the ground. I found the easiest one too easy, and was about to say that the middle one was too easy, when I really started to feel it!
Now that I am home, I am feeling as though I have had a good work-out, which has to be excellent.
One of the physiotherapists has referred me to get a community alarm, so we shall see if a two pronged approach does any good.
If not, pay more attention at the back!
When I got to my exercise class this morning, I was told that they had a whole lot of new exercises for me to help with my balance (and confidence) and to strengthen my legs.
You would have laughed to see me doing some of the exercises. Doing toe rises (repeated going on to tip toe) without holding on I kept losing my balance, but eventually managed a few.
Marching on the spot (with the physio standing behind me with her hands at my waist, but not holding), was not on the spot but a forward progression.
I am having to increase the stepper each week and the shuttle walk.
There was an odd one with a board which had strapped to it stretchy bands of different colours (and correspondingly differing flexibility). I had to hold one foot under the band and raise the toe off the ground. I found the easiest one too easy, and was about to say that the middle one was too easy, when I really started to feel it!
Now that I am home, I am feeling as though I have had a good work-out, which has to be excellent.
One of the physiotherapists has referred me to get a community alarm, so we shall see if a two pronged approach does any good.
Monday, 1 September 2008
Falls follow-up
After starting the process to obtain the fall pendant that puts you through to the County Falls Response Service, I have tried on the telephone to terminate the one I currently have. I had thought it connected to the same service as the pull cord system in the flats, but in fact, not only does it not do that but it goes somewhere in England. The holding company may be the same but the services are entirely separate.
I was greeted by the house manager this afternoon asking what I was trying to do. She now understands, but is rather doubtful that I would qualify for the C ounty pendant alarm as there are so many pull cords in the flat.
My argument is that with Careline (or the other pendant alarm that I currently have), if I fall the response is to send out an ambulance with a paramedic and an ambulance technician.
To my mind this is ridiculous and such a waste of resources. By dispatching an ambulance, they could put someone else's life at risk, when all I need is to be helped to my feet.
The house manager is going to take up my case and see what happens, but in the mean time I have told her I do not wish to continue with the pendant as I have always been able to make my way to a pull cord - and subsequently able to release the front door and open the flat door for them.
On a lighter note, this afternoon provided some really good hands, so we shall wait and see.
I was greeted by the house manager this afternoon asking what I was trying to do. She now understands, but is rather doubtful that I would qualify for the C ounty pendant alarm as there are so many pull cords in the flat.
My argument is that with Careline (or the other pendant alarm that I currently have), if I fall the response is to send out an ambulance with a paramedic and an ambulance technician.
To my mind this is ridiculous and such a waste of resources. By dispatching an ambulance, they could put someone else's life at risk, when all I need is to be helped to my feet.
The house manager is going to take up my case and see what happens, but in the mean time I have told her I do not wish to continue with the pendant as I have always been able to make my way to a pull cord - and subsequently able to release the front door and open the flat door for them.
On a lighter note, this afternoon provided some really good hands, so we shall wait and see.
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Oh No, Not Again!
That Cauliflower Gratin was so good, but far too much for one, so I went to get a smaller casserole dish to hold the remainder for re-heating tomorrow.
Never thought a thing about it, but had to bend down and slightly across to get the dish.
So, I lost my balance and landed on the floor.
Even at that I wasn't concerned, but I tried to get upright using both the settee and the bed, without success.
I was pretty tired and sore by this time with all the effort, so I just lay down for a bit.
In all I spent an hour trying to get upright with no sign of success.
So, I called for help using my pendant alarm.
And (as I explained that nothing was wrong with me except that I could notget upright again) an ambulance eventually arrived.
And got me upright.
One of the guys even knew of Tom Reynolds!
So, here I am, carpet burns again, but otherwise unhurt.
Never thought a thing about it, but had to bend down and slightly across to get the dish.
So, I lost my balance and landed on the floor.
Even at that I wasn't concerned, but I tried to get upright using both the settee and the bed, without success.
I was pretty tired and sore by this time with all the effort, so I just lay down for a bit.
In all I spent an hour trying to get upright with no sign of success.
So, I called for help using my pendant alarm.
And (as I explained that nothing was wrong with me except that I could notget upright again) an ambulance eventually arrived.
And got me upright.
One of the guys even knew of Tom Reynolds!
So, here I am, carpet burns again, but otherwise unhurt.
Thursday, 6 March 2008
Pride Goes After the Fall....
...being a reverse of the usual.
Seaspray wrote a very long, caring comment about my falls and inadequate provision or use of alarm systems.
I really appreciated all that she wrote. She is also absolutely correct.
However here she comes across the patient, who being a retired nurse and health visitor, knows perfectly well what she ought to be doing but who is too stubborn or proud or both to do it!
All is not quite as bad as it seems.
In each room in my flat and in the residents lounge, the laundry room and every corridor there is a pull cord or push button. The one in my bedroom hangs in reach at the top of the bed. The one in my bathroom is recessed into the vanity unit and is reachable from ground level. All this, plus a pendant alarm.
So, really unless I was knocked unconscious, I am perfectly well covered as regards calling for help.
As long as I am conscious, I refuse to call for help until I am sure that I cannot resolve things myself.
Told you I was too proud and/or too stubborn (or in this case, both).
Seaspray wrote a very long, caring comment about my falls and inadequate provision or use of alarm systems.
I really appreciated all that she wrote. She is also absolutely correct.
However here she comes across the patient, who being a retired nurse and health visitor, knows perfectly well what she ought to be doing but who is too stubborn or proud or both to do it!
All is not quite as bad as it seems.
In each room in my flat and in the residents lounge, the laundry room and every corridor there is a pull cord or push button. The one in my bedroom hangs in reach at the top of the bed. The one in my bathroom is recessed into the vanity unit and is reachable from ground level. All this, plus a pendant alarm.
So, really unless I was knocked unconscious, I am perfectly well covered as regards calling for help.
As long as I am conscious, I refuse to call for help until I am sure that I cannot resolve things myself.
Told you I was too proud and/or too stubborn (or in this case, both).
Friday, 25 January 2008
Endorphins
This morning saw my second time at the pulmonary rehabilitation classes. The physiotherapist has noted that my biggest problem is my leg, and more my left leg (probably a result of a stroke), so she is concentrating on that as well as the other respiratory exercises. I am managing to increase the time or the weight or the resistance (on the bike) for almost every exercise, which feels good.
The weather today is foul with wind and rain making what should be an almost balmy 7 degrees celsius feel really cold and horrible. Still, better than ice or snow for the sixteen mile round trip to my class. I should have done a small shop on my way home to return some light bulbs as I got the wrong ones. However they, and the receipt, are in the car so I can do it next time (hopefully).
Not long after I got home the man arrived from the security firm to install the base unit and give me my new pendant alarm.
After going through all the small print - by the way, how many people take the trouble to read the small print on-line rather than just tick the box that says you have read and agreed them - we tested the base unit and the pendant.
I then checked that my telephone worked for both incoming and outgoing calls and that the internet connection worked too.
I was glad to get a cup of tea in the lounge after all that.
The weather today is foul with wind and rain making what should be an almost balmy 7 degrees celsius feel really cold and horrible. Still, better than ice or snow for the sixteen mile round trip to my class. I should have done a small shop on my way home to return some light bulbs as I got the wrong ones. However they, and the receipt, are in the car so I can do it next time (hopefully).
Not long after I got home the man arrived from the security firm to install the base unit and give me my new pendant alarm.
After going through all the small print - by the way, how many people take the trouble to read the small print on-line rather than just tick the box that says you have read and agreed them - we tested the base unit and the pendant.
I then checked that my telephone worked for both incoming and outgoing calls and that the internet connection worked too.
I was glad to get a cup of tea in the lounge after all that.
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