I am on extra dog walking duties this weekend. My friend Carol, Billy dogs mum, she's in her eighties, has had a fall. She was taken to hospital this morning and they are keeping her in overnight. I took Billy out this afternoon, sat with him in his home, then brought him back to my house with me. I didn't know what was going to happen because he doesn't like cats. It went quite well. He was a bit confused, was probably thinking, why am I here. Mayze glared at him from her camp out on the table. He walked around the house looking for dropped cat food crumbs. Mayze never moved from her position. Mickey was upstairs and Oscar was outside.
Carols daughter has taken him home with her to stay the night. She also has a cat so let's hope the night goes without incidents. Sharon will bring him back in the morning and I will look after him for the rest of the day. She will go to the hospital to speak to the doctors and ask if Carol is able to come home.
I had an email the other day from my friend June, also in her eighties. She had a fall three weeks ago, which has done a lot of damage. She is being looked after in a care home.
This makes me think I should be more careful as I move about. It would be disastrous if I became immobile through a fall. No family to look after me. I have tripped up on brambles a couple of times while reaching to pick up litter. I am not superwoman and need to think about my limitations.
I go about things a lot more slowly now. Holding onto a handrail as I go up and down stairs. Concentrating on what I am doing and not getting distracted. Being more mindful about my surroundings. It's easy to let your mind wander. One foot wrong and you can be down on your arse in no time. I have never had a broken bone so I don't want to start now. That reminds me. I have run out of calcium supplements, I need to get some more.
Enjoy your weekend. Toodle pip. ilona
Falls for senior citizens are dangerous. That is good you can share dog sitting duties with your friend's daughter. I am 81 and fell for the first time in July. What a scare. I broke a bone in my hand and hit my head hard, had a CT scan. Do you use a grabber when picking up trash? That would be a good idea, less bending down and leaning. Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI do use a grabber, I have three to choose from in case one of them breaks. I do a lot of bashing weeds out of the way to pick up a can or bottle. There are occasions when I have to leave the litter where it is because I cannot reach it.
DeleteI too have become more careful about going up and down steps. I had knee surgery 20 years ago. I never regained full movement. That leg also stays a little swollen. With my multiple sclerosis I am always on the look out for hazards.
ReplyDeleteYou’re doing very well mother!!! I hope your friends both can return home soon. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
I have managed to get through life pretty much unscathed physically. Can't ever remember falling out of a tree, or falling off a bike, and I never fell off a lorry trailer like some drivers sometimes do.
DeleteI often think about what would happen if you fell while reaching out for cans etc in the bushes. No one would see you there. Time to put yourself first, Ilona. You aint no spring chicken. ( same as me) 🤣
ReplyDeleteI carry a mobile phone so I could call for help if I fell down.
DeleteYou are right to consider your safety Ilona and I truly believe it you do things slowly and carefully never rushing a task you should be just fine.i think we need to take extra care as we age do what we can to keep mobilexx love Jo dorset
ReplyDeleteGood you are learning from your friend's experiences and not your own. I have fallen hard one time and that is all it took to make me pay attention more closely to where and how I step. Stay safe with your trash picking but keep moving to stay strong. Good you have your phone with you. I think records show that most falls happen in the home. Maybe we have a false sense of security there or maybe just more ways to stumble. You are a caring and dear friend to watch out for your friends and Billy.
ReplyDeleteI think being more careful and paying attention to your surroundings is a good idea but don’t stop being active as loss of muscle strength in your legs is the cause of many falls. Many older people move to bungalows which becomes their downfall because climbing stairs is actually good for your health in numerous ways. I have a huge fear of sustaining an injury that would land me in hospital and at the mercy of the idiocy of some NHS staff plus the awful food. Being called sweetheart or other ageist terms of endearment which are endemic in the NHS wouldn’t help either. Like you I don’t have any family who would help out if I was incapacitated. I hope your friend makes a speedy recovery and I’m glad you’re able to help out with her dog.
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