Keeping Steady

by Rosie Peters
^{(creative writers at www.morewriting.co.uk)}
I've been awake all night worrying. I had a tumble in the garden yesterday while pegging out the washing. All I did was bend down to get something from the basket and the next thing I knew I was on the ground. Luckily I only grazed my hands and I managed to get myself up ok. Not like my poor old mum, bless her. It was many years ago but the memory will stay with me always. She was on the floor all night in a freezing cold house after falling and breaking her hip. No central heating in them days. She lay there blue with cold in her sopping clothes 'til help arrived.

Generally I feel safe. Don't even need a stick, but I worry about going over when I get a dizzy spell. I don't get them often mind, except if I bend down and I try and remember not to do that. My daughter Pamela noticed marks on my hands so I had to confess about my mishap, but I wish I hadn't because now she's fussing. She thinks I shouldn't be on my own in case I have another accident. She'd like me to go into a home. I'd hate that. I remember one my aunt was in. People lined up in chairs doing nowt. Pamela says care homes are not a bit like that now. Apparently there are some excellent ones where the residents have a good time with outings and activities. I don't want to upset her so I agreed to see my doctor and tell him about the fall and the dizziness.

Doctor Strong said that it's important to keep me safe so that I don't have any more falls and maybe break a bone next time. He took my blood pressure, then I had to stand up and he took it again. He's altered my tablets because my blood pressure had got too low. I guess that's what made me a bit light headed sometimes, especially when I get up in the morning. He says whenever I change position I should do it slowly.

Doctor Strong understands me. "Mrs Jackson," he said, "If you want to stay living in your own home, we need to reduce any risks to you." Well I can't argue with that can I?

I said to him, "Doctor, I don't do anything risky. Most of the day I'm sitting in my chair with my feet up in front of the telly."

He shook his head and said that I should take some kind of gentle exercise every day. I guess I've got into a bit of a lazy routine. Apparently, some of his other patients in their eighties do all sorts of activities. He's given me a list of places that do exercise for senior citizens. There's quite a choice really, music and movement, sequence dancing, walking, swimming and even an exercise class to do while seated. Definitely something for everyone. I think though, I'd prefer a gentle stroll in the park. Perhaps Pamela might come with me.

Doctor Strong sent a woman, well a girl really, round to see me. Mandy she called herself. Said she was an occupational therapist and she had to do a risk assessment to find out if I was in danger of falling. She was ever so thorough. I wish there'd been someone like Mandy for my Mum. There just wasn't that sort of help in those days. Mandy watched me get up out of my chair and walk. Then she said my chair was too low to get in and out of easily and she'd get it raised up a bit for me. I had to take her in all the rooms so she could spot any likely hazards. Mandy thought it best if I didn't have any loose rugs in case I trip. And she spotted a bit of frayed carpet near the door where I could catch my foot if I'm not careful. She even suggested a basket over the letter box to catch the mail so that I didn't have to bend down to pick it up.

I thought I ought to make us a cuppa. I got my best teapot out and my fine china cups and saucers. Couldn't help feeling though Mandy was probably one of those people always in a rush and more used to pouring some hot water over a tea bag in a mug. She followed me into the kitchen. I've a sneaking feeling she wanted to see how steady my hand was when I used the kettle. Felt like telling her I've been making a good cuppa since before her mother was born. I didn't of course, and when she insisted on carrying the tea tray to the sitting room I just smiled and let her.

Mandy said that if I got the light bulbs changed to a hundred watt, it would be easier for me to see hazards. I think she meant easier to see Minnie. She's not a hazard I thought, my precious cat. Still, I don't want to tread on her by mistake. My eyesight's not as good as it was. Mandy's also of the opinion that I need an extra stair rail to help me get up the stairs safely. And she's pointed out areas in the home where I would be helped by having grab rails, like near the loo and bath. These things would certainly give me confidence and help me move around safely. I find it strange though, this slip of a girl inspecting my home like this and telling me what to do. I don't know what my Bert would've made of it all.

I've been given a leaflet about the Falls Clinic at the local hospital. It's for people like me who have fallen or who are at risk of falls. What a good idea! Another thing they didn't have in Mum's day. I don't think I need it yet though. Perhaps when I'm older. But I've agreed to start wearing a community alarm on a pendant. It'll give Pamela peace of mind because she'll know that if I fall and hurt myself I can press the alarm button if I can't get to the phone.

The leaflets Dr Strong gave me are full of good advice like getting eyes and feet checked, because if there's problems with them, a fall's more likely. And it seems that there's exercises to help strength and balance so I'll have a try with them. I'm certainly not ready for an old folks' place yet. Just got to convince Pamela. We'll have a stroll in the park together and talk. Hopefully, when she hears what changes I've agreed to for keeping safe, she'll be pleased. I'm determined to do all I can to avoid slips and trips. I just want to stay steady and keep living here in my own home.