How do people manage if they have no one to help them?

[keepfallingover]

I sometimes fall over and injure myself. I have hypermobility and am probably dyspraxic. A couple of days ago I had a fall and injured my ankle and knee. I couldn't weight bear and dh had to come and get me and take me to minor injuries for an xray etc. It's not broken, but I'm clearly not able to do much whilst it gets a bit better. Dh is older than me and it just struck me that I'd be completely stuck without him and what would happen if I was alone and stuff like this happened? I have cats that I need to look after and I worry about them. I also had covid last December and it was difficult to manage then as well. I'm okay as long as I can feed them and do their litter trays.

I don't really have anyone I could call on for even minimal help. What do people do in these circumstances?

You’d contact adult social care
If you can afford it, you can pay for assistance
It is a worry.
i worry about my MIL - she’s fit and sprightly now but far away from us and remote.

I started wondering the same, OP, after being rushed into hospital with pneumonia 2 years ago. Dh came twice a day, with whatever I needed, including daily changes of pyjamas since I was having drenching sweats every night. (I found the hospital ones too thin)

And when I couldn’t shower because of a drip on one side, and a drain in my lung on the other, he helped me to wash my hair - that was making me feel so disgusting - in the washbasin.
I don’t know what I’d have done without my lovely dh.

You just have to get on with it.🙁
I remember being ill with covid and I just about had enough breath to open the back door to let the dogs out (where a mountain of poop built up over 10 days!) then I just lived on biscuits and water and hoped for the best.
Just last week I had bad vertigo which sucked and all I could do was sort the dogs.
TBH I worry more about managing my pets then I do about how I'll cope!

Lack of choice is a brilliant motivator.

We just get on with it. Ambulance if it's an emergency (or taxi to hospital) Uber eats when I can't manage the shops, friends if it's something they can do without too much trouble, and tradies if something needs a longer term fix.

I’ve just dealt with it in the past. Covid I was alone (except for the twice daily check ins from the Covid at home team!)
I did spinal surgery recovery alone so I guess I’m used to working around it

It's difficult isn't it? I worry about ending up in hospital and who'd look after the cats. I'm not intending to get any more (I have three and two of them are getting older) when these pass away. I'm not 60 yet, so hoping things don't get much worse. I just wish I could stop injuring myself.

I'm sorry to hear others are in this situation.

A friend had a terrible fall in a tai chi class. He had to hobble around everywhere and take lots of painkillers. Sounds horrific. I did not know him then but have seen the photos. Bruising everywhere.

Put a plan in place now OP. Contact Cats Protection to see if they can advise. Or the Cinnamon Trust. Or even your local vet. In my area there are pet feeders who will visit your home, feed cats, change litter trays. Maybe get to know one or two now just in case you need them in the future.

couple of things I do have
the number of a cat sitter who I know is reliable
a note stuck to my fridge with who to call in case of emergency (one is a relative, the other is the rescue my cat came from)
my phone has health info under emergency also a “my cat is home alone, please contact X”
I managed litter trays after surgery by getting Amazon to carry the litter in and then using a small tub to top it up, and food by feeding on the worktop so I didn’t have to squat down!
a list of what the cat eats/needs
a helpful neighbour! I wouldn’t rely on them totally but I know as a one off or to carry something he’s always happy to

I guess your focus needs to be on becoming part of the community, making a conscious effort to get to know people and help people when you can.

Find out about community organisations and groups that might be able to help you. Start planning now, don't wait until you're on your own and your health has declined further.

I live by myself and have exactly this problem. I'm currently suffering from gallstones and was up all night with stomach pain.

I contacted 111 and they said if it gets worse to phone for an ambulance. The previous attacks I've had I've been in agony and vomiting for hours.

I asked the Dr how I was supposed to call the ambulance when I was vomiting and she said you'll manage.

I have other issues going on health wise and feel very unwell but I have to prepare food. It would be lovely to have someone to make me a tea or get medication or even advocate for me.

I've been in hospital a few times and DH was able to bring clothes etc. But I was able to walk and look after myself. He'd have to take leave to look after dcs if I was really bed-bound, and he could wfh if I needed a bit of help through the day but was mostly managing. We don't have a community to help and I think we manage to get on with things between us pretty well. I don't like depending on others for favours.
I'd be screwed if I couldn't manage stairs as we live in a townhouse, there are no toilets or bedrooms I could get to without climbing stairs.

a grab bag prepared in case you need to go to hospital by ambulance they will lock the front door for you and give you key, inside grab ag a list of people to ring to inform them also a neighbour or friend to have the same list so they can call relatives even if they are a long wa away