Looking for the silver lining

beanielou

All sounding good :j
Happy August

Sun_Addict

Hello all

All is ok in the SA household. Mr SA had a bit of a do at the weekend - he has bouts of not being able to make it to the toilet in time which upsets him, it seems to be when he's tried to do too much. Plus his speech is terrible at the moment, really slurred and it upsets him that no one can understand what he says, including me. Apart from that he's fine.

Garden is getting clearer by the day, skip is more or less full now. Mr SA is loving feeling useful and buzzing around the skip and the gravel delivery today. He's filled a container with his old roofing stuff which is quite sad really, he wants to keep it. I still think he hopes he'll be able to go back to it one day.

Have just checked finances and shuffled money about. VSP now has £535.99 in it

Diet wise, no change in weight front. I'm good at maintaining that I will say. A bit cross with myself as I knew we were aiming for a holiday early September and I had plenty of time to lose just 12lbs, but not done it. Bought two gorgeous linen shift dresses for just £11 each in Sainsburys Tu sale yesterday in my "old" size, I can zip them up but they're tight. They didn't have them in the next size up and they're so lovely I'm loathe to return them as I am determined I WILL get into them. Maybe not before holiday now, although half a stone would do it. Only got 4 weeks though. Don't want to crash diet, want to be sensible. Why is it so hard to lose small amounts of weight? Grr.

please-let-me-be-lucky

Drink plenty of fluids and vary what you eat as much as possible to give your metabolism a boost. You'll be in those dresses comfortably in no time!

Sorry to hear Mr SA is having a bad spell Xx

Sun_Addict

Thanks Lucky - great advice from the weight loss queen I'm being more careful now I have an incentive. Need to go back to counting my points. I was being really good then went free range for a while.

Unbelievably today I bought a lovely linen skirt from Tu Sainsburys reduced to £6.60 from £20, also in my "old" size - fits perfectly! Also got Mr SA a sweatshirt and 2 t shirts for just £13.50 for the lot.

Been sent a great offer from Mr S online £10 off £50 shop for next 4 weeks plus free delivery. However, already collecting Mr M stamps for 4 x £40 spends for £15 off. Already got two. Wondering if I can mix and match?

Sun_Addict

What a lovely weekend weather wise. Been sitting outside and enjoying the warm sunshine - about time too!

Mr SA has had 2 falls, one on Friday and one yesterday. He just can't get himself back up. If anyone knows of some sort of disabled gadget that could help please let me know. He hasn't got the strength. He ended up shuffling on his bottom until he got near something he could use to help him get up, but it took him ages and then he was worn out as it took all his energy. He worries what would happen if he was alone - although his carer is only a phone call away. At one time social services were talking about him having an alarm and I still think he needs one.

That aside the garden is looking lovely now and the very bottom bit is starting to take shape. Mr SA and the carer have done a lovely job, built some steps leading up to the raised bit. So pleased with it. Fantastic bargain yesterday from Mr T for a wooden bench, two chairs and a table, should've been over £100, got everything for £19 as had £44 of Clubcard vouchers which I doubled up to make £88. Brilliant

beanielou

If you come across something to help the getting up give a shout.
I have the same problem

tunathe_cat

Hubby with more falls than niagra at the moment. what is it - Due to have knee replacement this Wednesday fingers crossed please. Going to buy a 2nd hand electric wheel chair tomorrow - that has help for me the pusher! love to all Andrea

*Robin*

Thinking about this problem last night; possible solution along the lines of a small inflatable cushion powered by a mini-compressed air cylinder. Designed to fit in a large bumbag fastened around the waist which would hang down behind until needed, perhaps with room for a folding walking stick - one of those with a tripod foot. It would have to be padded on the inside to prevent bruising if the user happened to fall straight backwards of course.

The closest thing already in production appears to be a waterproof cushion for aiding disabled persons to lower / raise themselves in the bath.

Interestingly, we saw an exhibit at Eden from students at [I think] Exeter Uni, who are working on aids for independent living - might be worth approaching them with this problem?

I am assuming that if MrSA could get his bottom a bit off the ground using an inflatable cushion - which would provide some flex in his knees - he'd then be able to lever himself up with the aid of a handhold such as a tripod walking stick?

..Just a thought.

Debsnewbudget

My mum used to have an alarm button her wrist which she could press if she needed help
When it was on a pendant on her neck she never wore it if she was out and then she had a bad fall on her way back into the house.
Putting it on a band on her wrist meant she never took it off and gave us peace of mind.
She pressed it a few times and they come straight out to check
It was a scheme run by the council and I think we paid something like £15 each month

Might be worth thinking about
Just remembered it was called Care Line

Sun_Addict

Thank you Robin and Deb for your very helpful suggestions, I'll certainly be looking into these options. We have a garden kneeler that has handles at the side, it's quite solid and I'm wondering if this would help, providing someone is around to pass it him though, it doesn't solve the problem of when he's alone. Coincidentally Robin he often asks me to pass him a cushion to get himself up.

Manically busy at work yet again today. Thankfully I'm on a half day tomorrow, going out for lunch with some retired colleagues. Looking forward to it. Break up two weeks on Friday