Isolation living alone in rural area

[Becca19962014]

Not isolated right now but, have almost all of the at risk conditions.

But just seen new advice could come in for people to self isolate with mild symptoms of cold/respiratory illness (which I have and am already struggling with due to other conditions). Been contacted by specialist who I've not seen in years as too ill to get to checkups anymore though still on his list (stupidly checked email before going to bed!) and been told for me with my conditions and the meds im on the risk is very high and to limit going out and get deliveries etc. He's based in London.

BUT I live rurally with no friends or family to help at all. There's no deliveries here for food (am diabetic which isn't well controlled and must have food otherwise bad hypos and just a small cupboard for storage) or medication (which I must get daily and speak to pharmacist so cannot send people out to get things, they won't allow me more than one day of medication so if I can't get it I can't have it).

The only hospital in my county doesn't have testing facilities, so to be tested means travelling across the country anyway and all the pharmacies already have signs saying if you have cold symptoms to go home. I do but was allowed to get meds today as my symptoms are clearly a nasty cold but am really worried that'll change tommorow

Seriously what am I supposed to bloody well do? The advice on nhsdirect about isolation assumes everyone has people to get them food/meds, or can get them delivered but those services don't exist here or you live in shared accommodation you can choose when to use the toilet/get food (I can do neither of those things with my illnesses).

When I went to an appointment this morning the social worker I saw literally laughed at me when I said for me this would be very serious. Clearly yet another person who thinks its "just" a nasty cold which I've been hearing a lot. This was after I'd walked past a massive sign saying no one was to enter if they had any kind of respiratory symptoms at all or had been to various countries.

Ffs. I can't be the only person living somewhere without deliveries and no one to get food/other essentials.

My internet connection is really really bad due to a storm so I may not be able to reply again tonight but will try to do so tomorrow (assuming internet better). Started typing this almost an hour ago!!

[Becca19962014]

Sorry first sentence doesn't make sense. I've a lot of medication conditions which put me at risk of death if I get the virus! Hope rest makes more sense.

[BIWI]

Would it be possible for you to go and stay with someone else, but self-isolate in their home? Somewhere where you're nearer facilities - and hopefully with someone who'll help you get your medication?

[RizzoFromGrease]

Have you looked at other food delivery options eg Amazon Pantry or other online shops that use postal service as opposed to a supermarket coverage?

Contact the pharmacy and explain, they may well have or plan to put something in place for this situation.

Good luck OP

[MoaningMinniee]

Get yourself onto Facebook and then on to Facebook local groups... at least five local villages round these parts (Wiltshire) have local members who are well up for pharmacy and supermarket runs. And we're up for taking dog out for a walk too.

[thenightsky]

You have to pick up your meds every day? Is that right? Why?

They need to let you have at least 2 weeks or even a month! Tell them.

[Theukisgreatt]

Daily medication? You poor thing. Where abouts are you, perhaps there is some kind of community scheme?

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

That's very hard OP. Do you have any social network where you are? My neighbours are elderly and I've already thought about what I could do for them if they have to self isolate. Have you got neighbours?

[Scrowy]

Ring the nearest village shop and put an order in with them and ask if they can bag/box it up for you.

Go and pick it up/ pay, yes you have gone out but for the minimum time possible.

Start stocking up. Living very rurally (as I also do) surely that's part of normal life for you? What's your contingency for snow etc?

[KenDodd]

Can you afford to pay anyone to help you? Even if it means using up any savings you might have.

[Becca19962014]

I've nowhere else safe I can go (my remaining family are abusive).

I cannot have more that a days worth of medication. I'm not posting why.

Local shop doesn't do deliveries; I'll find out about packing something up for me to get it but I would need to pay for taxis to get there and back.

No amazon or food deliveries at all here. When I say rural I mean rural. There's a lot of services that don't exist here that do elsewhere.

I've no one who can help. The local church who have helped in the past no longer has a vicar and, is in the process of closing - that was my contingency for snow/being ill in the past; that's gone now. Honestly I've been so unwell mentally because of being discharged from mental health (can't go back as was discharged because I couldn't take their meds - long story but the reason I couldn't was medical but they wouldn't accept it).

I've neighbours but I also have severe mental health issues and no they aren't going to help me. Again no I'm not putting the details on here.

[Becca19962014]

Sorry for being blunt trying to rely whilst have a connection; I'm not bring intentionally rude!!

I've no savings. I lost my carer as couldn't afford them anymore.
My income is disability benefits and I live from payment to payment.

Basically I'm surprised at the assumption everyone has access to deliveries when that's not the case. As well as daily meds I've weekly checks with GP (since mh discharge).

[DesdemonaDryEyes]

It must be dreadful to be in your situation. It just shows you never know what’s round the corner.

[ineedaholidaynow]

Is there a reason you live so rurally away from the services you need? Does the pharmacy do deliveries? If you can’t go every day would they have to admit you somewhere so you would have access to your medication? You need to speak to the pharmacist tomorrow and come up with a plan,

[Fanthorpe]

I’m tremendously sorry for you but you seem to have exhausted all your options. I’m not sure what else you can do, what happens when you can’t get out under other circumstances? Is where you’re living your only option? You sound incredibly vulnerable, the social worker was very unhelpful!

[PickAChew]

The food you can prep for.

The meds are trickier. If it is what I think it is, you would struggle badly without. I would suggest that you discuss this with your pharmacist, tomorrow. They are bound to have a plan in place.

The upside, if you are that rural and isolated, you're less likely to need to self isolate.

[bitheby]

How about your local council? Town/ community/ parish? I'm on my local council and I'm sure at our meeting this week we'll talk about how to support vulnerable people. I'm sure there will be community minded people nearby.

[DarkMutterings]

Genuinely I don't know what the answer is because of all the restrictions but I'd recommend your first stop being your local GP. They will know your medical history in depth and they know the area - those are the two biggest issues as far as I can tell.

And the big thing is that just because somewhere doesn't do it now, or that's not allowed now, doesn't mean it can't change.
The local store may know someone who can drop a parcel off at your door, the pharmacy may have an option you've not been offered before - but would consider for a short period during this time. In turn you need to accept that the solution may not be ideal, or what you would like and equally won't last after the risk is over.

[Becca19962014]

It's my home and safe place. I cannot cope in populated areas mentally (long story). I've a very severe medical phobia I refuse to go to or into hospital ever again unless forced (long story).

The pharmacist said today was to keep going out to a minimum and keep doing what I am - I'm a long term user of antibac gels anyway and only ever go out for a maximum of two hours a day, some days I don't even do that. Hence no friends or anyone I talk to in RL.

I sound like I'm avoiding questions by saying long story. I'm not, they genuinely are long stories; not mention very outing.

Thankyou for letting me sound off here about it!! I tried elsewhere and got rounded on; like with social worker this morning laughing about my concerns (before email and cold got so bad). I just needed a bit of understanding and support, going to attempt sleep now.

Hoping this will post. Weather has calmed down a bit but we've a weather warning (another) in place and a serious accident locally has closed all roads..

[AutumnCrow]

If you see your GP every week, talk to them about this next time you see them.

I think I know which medication you're on and I won't pry. I had wondered myself how it's all going to work, and the bottom line is that for some people it won't. And quite a few will have to venture out daily.

But please talk to your GP.

[Nongoddess]

How about www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com (I know they might be a bit pricey), I know they do deliver very rurally and boast they do it to every address in the UK (though it does say mainland UK so that may not be your situation). So tough for you. I do think the social worker has a duty of care to you though; it's not acceptable that you have been left to self isolate with no access to food or medication.

[Scrowy]

How are you getting to the pharmacy and back every day currently? How do you get your shopping at the moment?

[AutumnRose1]

Becca, have you put a call out on social media? Or looked to see who’s volunteering near you? Try the next nearest church, or temple or gurdwara.

On Twitter there’s a lady who had the virus and is recovered and volunteering to cook meals and drop them to people in her area. Someone in your area might be doing the same sort of thing?

[poshme]

If you are quarantined, Is there a way you could go to NEAR your pharmacy, call them, explain the situation, and get them to leave meds you need eg on pavement outside your car while you stay inside the car?

I second the pp who say try and call your doc to find out what to do.

[IntergalacticSuperstar]

How do you normally get your food? Can you start doubling/tripling what you buy and stock up on non persiahbles?

[Becca19962014]

I will ask questions like of local shop. I know meds there's no other option as they're special ones (restricted? Graded? Don't know technical term!). When I don't go out I don't have meds or food - but that's never been for two weeks before!!

Seeing GP this week, even though they've cancelled most appointments (being rural staff are being recruited elsewhere) mine is still going ahead, as my GP knows how bad things are for me so overrode it being cancelled.

The flu in 2009 ripped through the local community and we had many more services then. Though we are isolated because of lack of services people need to either make do (like me) or travel to bigger places. With our gp surgeries being closed anyway that's a huge problem.

There are no cases here, or even in my county BUT there's a risk of advice changing and my specialist wants me isolating.

Note to self - don't check emails before getting an early night!!