Dear LPG,

I want to talk about not getting lazy about the things that really matter.

I still live in my home of the past 40 years, although I now live alone in spite of my many health issues and I would not have it any other way.   I am getting a bit frailer and it is getting harder to get around, not only out and about, but even getting from one side of my living room to the other has become a challenge over the past year.

When I think about getting from the dining room to the kitchen, or to my bedroom, I have to admit that this time last year I would often use the walls and furniture for support but it is as if while I was not even aware of it, I now need a walker to move anywhere at all.

It seems as If this happened overnight but it has been quite gradual.  This time last year I had relatively few difficulties with mobility, but during the summer I have had some problems with my legs, and now I have one of those walkers which makes getting around the house on my own possible but not easy.

I have always tried to remain independent and my friends visit nearly every day. I have carers visit as well and I try to remain positive.  I always try to make sure that I have my phone and link line pendent with me at all times but the other day I left them both on the table and went for a walk to the living room.  On the way my balance went a bit and I nearly fell over. 

I was all right but it occurred to me that if I had fallen, even though they were on the table a few yards away, I would not have been able to reach them; I would not have been able to contact anyone and I would have been stuck until someone came to visit.

It is funny how your health can dictate the way you perceive distance.  What has always seemed to be just over there can become the other end of the world just because it is harder to get there. 

The vital thing is that, no matter how ill or well you are, it is really important to make sure that you are never far away from a way of communicating with others, especially if you live on your own.   I remember reading that more accidents happen in the home than anywhere else so, whatever the state of your health, a mobile phone or link line pendant that is within reach could make all the difference. 

CW, St Johns

LPG strongly agrees with CW’s thought and suggests that even if you are in excellent health, it is a good idea to always ware something with a pocket, and if getting around presents a bit of a problem and if you don’t subscribe to an organisation such as Lewisham Linkline, it is something worth thinking about.  For those with smart phones these holders are becoming quite popular although LPG is not suggesting that any reader buys any of the examples that we have linked you to…

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LPG also found a few videos showing how they work.

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