SOD'S LAW !!!!

[lolli]

MM - can't you get your doc to write to them, saying the prolonged stress is badly affecting your health - so that you become urgent - ie - get more points!! xxx

[Scylla]

I agree with Lolli - as I said before in a roundabout way, age and "infirmity" and your current flat's situation up on high must surely give you points if you can speak to someone. It might not come across on paper.

Wishing there was some way we could help Feeling out of control is awful.

scylla

[magicma]

Yep Scyll - it is not nice, nor am I used to it!!

I am on two lists Tunbridge Wells (my area) and Tonbridge which is 5 minutes down the road, I had to get my new doctor to write to the Tonbridge one to get me on there.

That's another problem, having a doctor who doesn't really know you. Although they dish out the prescriptions!
I think I will go to see her again (really need more injections in my knees) to try to put the personal difficulties over to her - the amount of stairs etc and trying to get up them even with a small amount of shopping.
See if I can stretch the ten minutes allocated to see a patient to a bit longer!!!

When I was looking at the list last year, before I was ready, it seemed the places I wanted to go came up regularly - that's why this thread is called SOD'S LAW!!! MM

[Scylla]

I usually find that I forget important things. But docs hate it if you take notes with you

scylla

[Chrissie]

(((MM))) I also wish there was some way we could help

[jerryrm]

That sounds awful for you MM, but I must confess that I don't fully understand it. Things are very different over here, we are mostly on our own, except for some public housing, but they are usually identical apartments, located in one building.

I hope you succeed in finding what you need.

[Scylla]

There are "housing associations" here which (as well as other things) buy up ordinary large-ish houses and convert them into flats/apartments. Then they rent them out. It's usually very secure for the tenants.

My sister bought a flat with the aid of a housing association, they pay some of the mortgage, she pays some, and she pays them rent as well. I don't understand it but it works out cheaper, she couldn't have done it without them.

I believe the government has changed their status now.

scylla

[jerryrm]

Thanks Scylla, I understand it now.

[Hanow]

MM - you have to now 'play' the system. It is what many do (often not so deserving) to bump their way up various ladders.

You need to 'emphasise' any aches, pains, disabilities etc. Keep visiting the doctor's in order to stay in their face, and have all of the ailments recorded. In addition, I suggect you contact Help the Aged and Age concern to explain your growing medical problems and thus the desperate need to move to a more suitable home/house/fground floor flat etc.

They will often provide an advocate to act on your behalf. Through help the aged, I got support for my mother. The advocate was in fact a Councillor, which also helped a bit. With his help, we got a stair lift for my mum. Social services - who had to give the okay for the money - spent more money sending people to assess her than it would have cost to have provided the lift in the first place. It just kept going on and on, same paperwork being repeated even - with the inevitable time delay. Within a few weeks of contacting HTA, the chairlift was installed and a walk-in shower! It has made such a difference to her, as well as greater peace of mind for us.

[magicma]

Thanks Hanow, I am of exactly the same mind as you and had already decided to go along the route you mention.

It would help if I still had my old doctor who knew me from when my kids were little. This new one seems okay but she is always in a hurry, so decided I will type out a list of problems to take with me, hopefully on Wednesday.

There are many things I haven't mentioned to her 'cos you sort of get used to them - like not being able to have a bath for many years now!!

I can't get in a bath or, if I did, I can't get out!! I did ask HA years ago about having a shower put in but they said they couldn't get enough water pressure up here!!
It's okay - I don't smell!! Reverted back to the wartime method of standing in a bowl of water!! I also have many pots of aqueous cream etc supplied by the doctor. (Or go to my daughter's place).

I am having a lot of problems with my neck and shoulders at the moment (always been but worse now).

Also I keep crunching my ribs!! Guess by lugging around heavy packing boxes etc. Quite bad at the moment - if I need to sneeze I have to hang on to everything (ribs). I do have osteoarthritis (too much netball & sports of all sorts!) & osteoporosis.

Recently about two months, I had two hearing aids fitted (poor ole gal) which are fine.... But.... the noise of the traffic on our main road is horrendous inside my flat. It sounds like the sea and rivers constantly rushing by. Also when the police, fire engines or ambulances go by sounding their sirens, which they always seem to do when near here..... I have to pull the aids out. I'm so used to 'quietness' !!

I did get to see my Housing manager last Thursday - absolutely useless. They really do not have any dealings with transfers etc these days. I mentioned a sheltered complex very near here which is under their management, but he didn't even know of it!!!

Although I am dreading the actual move, but I really must do something now. I am not getting any younger and would like to be comfortable (sort of) for the next ten years or so (hopefully!!) God only knows where all my painting gear will go!!

This has probably done me good - writing things down. Will remember all the other things that have changed in the last couple of years.

Re Age Concern etc. We had one just a stones throw away from here (in fact I used to help them with their Art Shows etc) but they have moved into the main town now but I had considered contacting them.
See how I get on with doc.

Cheers, thanks for motivating me!! MM

[Chrissie]

(((MM))) with all that you are having to deal with, I'm sure that either or both Age Concern & Help The Aged must be able to help you. At least give Age Concern a ring tomorrow & start the ball rolling, no need to wait till you have seen your doc

[magicma]

I've got to go into town tomorrow, so will pay Age Concern a visit if I can find them!! Will look it up before I go!! MM

[Chrissie]

Here you go MM

www.ageconcerntunbridgewells.org.uk/Contact.aspx

[jerryrm]

Good luck (((MM))), I hope it all works out for you.

[magicma]

Thank you Chrissie, I was just about to do that!!! I had a feeling it had moved from Wood Street or was in danger of having to do so, but will double check it out.

I have the phone number of the man who ran the offices here when I used to help them. Think I will give him a ring (although I haven't seen him around for a while???)!!!

Jerry, thank you too. (whisper......don't tell anyone but think I'm beginning to 'fancy' my fried egg (Thing) again!!!)

MM