Tag: home

The best care?

So many people out there need that little bit of extra help, or care, if you prefer to use that word. But, what is the best care to give them?

Everyone is an individual who needs someone or something else in their life to help it be a life full of fun and quality living, not just living, but being alive and feeling alive!

What a disabled child, or disabled adult needs in the way of care will differ between each individual, but it’ll also be very different to what a frail 88 year old beds for example.

There isn’t a one answer solution, which means absolutely NO, no way should care homes be the automatic standard solution given and recommended by local (or national) government providers.

Fears over ‘catastrophic’ policy that could force disabled people into care homes

They struggle to give suitable support now, and that’s generally for pretty much one age range, the elderly. Who all each have their own needs, even the elderly vary so much. Some people choose care homes, and that’s a choice which should be recognised as theirs to make.

They may feel unable to cope day to day safely at home, and prefer to have the reassurance of help being nearby, and the social goings on, as well as being surrounded by a small community whist having their own private room and bathroom.

A huge number of those who need care of some sort to help with daily life, are of working age, quite a few actually do work in someway, whether it be going to work, working from home, running their own business, or in a voluntary capacity either in the community or from home. Now this would immediately become impossible for most if they were compelled to give up their existing life and move into a care home – bare in mind that there’s no guarantee as to where that place would be, it might well not even be local to where they live now.

Others are unable to work, but still with the right support are able to manage living at home and have a thriving social life, should they be expected to just give that up? I think not. There lives aren’t any less important than the people who are rich and famous, or those who run big businesses. Who are we to say sorry, but your life doesn’t matter.

The best care, is the care that adds value and independence for each individual person. Everyone gives back to their community in some way, whether it just be a fantastic smile and greeting that makes the other person happy and improves their day, or they run a local charity event. We all touch our community in a way, but some just need that little bit of extra time and care so they can join in with and share that sense of community and give back in their own unique way.

Let’s care in the best way as both a community, but also as nation. #bekindalways

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Too old?

Is there anything you feel too old to do anymore?

As I look around me, I see all sorts of bits and bobs that I have kept from my past. Thinking it’ll be good to keep that, I might need it in the future, truth be told, if I haven’t made use of them yet, I doubt I will.

Someone cleaning and tidying half empty shelves Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

I’m too old to keep hold of all the unnecessary stuff from my past. I need to sort it all and reduce it to a sensible amount, made up of the most important memories and paperwork that I need or will treasure in the future.

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This will make life easier and help me create a more minimalist lifestyle. Thus leaving far more time for other stuff which I will be able to enjoy rather than cleaning clutter.

Also if/when I do move house in the future, it will be easier to pack all that I need. Where’s that lottery win?

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What is clutter, what does that word mean to you?

Where can you reduce clutter in your life?


Others would say I have a lot of clutter, but I would disagree with that statement. I have lots of things, but a serious lack of storage space and i think that is the main issue.

My disability means that I can only reach things within a certain height/distance range, so tidying everything away into low drawers, onto high shelves isn’t a practical option day to day living.

A good amount of my belongings are related to my hobbies and interests, so one great solution for my so called ‘clutter’, would be the creation of a craft room, with lots of table space, drawers and shelves at suitable heights and even better if they are height adjustable. If I had this space i would also spend more time crafting, reading, taking photos etc…. because it would be so much easier and quicker to avcess the things I need for each project.

I would love to have a minimalist appearance around my own home, with one exception being in the craft room which would probably never look tidy for more than a day.

Bungalows.

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Is it just me, or do you too enjoy going on sites such as https://www.rightmove.co.uk/ and looking at different properties?

I love browsing on there and looking to see what’s available, and what the prices are doing? I seem to have medium size price wants, not the really expensive ones, I’ve no desire for a swimming pool, fancy bathrooms, outdoor hot tubs, or huge ponds.

Prices are going down by the looks of it at the moment, I’ve noticed a couple of properties have dropped £10,000 recently.

Photo by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi on Pexels.com

Please tell me though, what on earth is it that people love so much about gravel?

As a wheelchair user it’s not my friend anyway, but it’s so untidy it spreads everywhere if you’re not careful. I’d much rather have tarmac or a brick weave driveway. Brick weave would be my preferred option, but tarmac would probably be cheaper.

Solar panels are something I’d definitely opt for, especially as we now seem to be having heatwaves more often.

Lots of dog friendly open spaces would be a great selling point to me, and ideally within walking distance of the local shops, on a good bus route to places further away.

Health, and things that impact it.

We are hearing so much on the subject of fixing the NHS at the moment, but it’s not all down to the NHS. So many other areas impact on the heavy load they deal with.

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We as a country could lessen that load by getting other areas right. For example, the state of the roads and pavements around the UK is appalling. Potholes can contribute to vehicle accidents meaning the NHS is needed.

Dodgy pavements and potholes can also cause falls, and damage mobility equipment. Both these issues cost the NHS money.

Unsuitable and unfit housing conditions can cause ill health such as lung problems, mental health crises, skin issues. Housing that’s not fit for the person’s needs can add to the risk of falling, dropping hot stuff causing burns/scalding.

Lack of carers, or the appropriate level of care and the necessary numbers of hours means that people aren’t being supported to live a safe and dignified way of life, being as independent as possible.

It’s not just about getting up, toileting, food, medication. These visits allow carers to notice changes in a person’s well being, help to make Dr’s appointments if necessary, and help them attend the appointment.

If you don’t know when you will next get a chance to go to the loo, you’ll limit your liquid intake which can cause kidney problems, or you may struggle to manage the loo even though it’s not safe to do so, and end up falling and require hospital treatment as a result.

Selling of school playgrounds limits the ability of schools to provide a selection of different sports and activities whole enable students to learn to experience and enjoy taking various types of exercise, and also reduces the space in which they can create a school/class vegetable garden and grow fresh food for students to enjoy and learn about where food comes from, and healthy eating in a practical way.

All these things have an impact on themselves, but they also impact the load on the National Health Service.

This was just a small simple post, so there’s probably masses I haven’t mentioned.

The Ripple Effect of Poor Housing

Ideal reading zone.

You get to build your perfect space for reading and writing. What’s it like?

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I love reading and always have done. I grew up reading all sorts of books, fiction, true stories, adventure, crime, magical, mystery and more.

Books take you into a whole new world, each one is different, and you can’t help but learn something from each new book you read. These new worlds deserve a special place in which to be enjoyed and savoured from the real world in which we live.

If I could have a special area/room just for reading in, then this is what I’d love to create….. A room with two opposite walls filled with bookshelves, one end wall would have a bay window with a deep window seat with angled ends which could act as a back rest if desired.

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

There would be plenty of cushions and a lovely Sherpa fleece draped to one side to snuggle up in whilst reading, and a flip round table on which to rest the book if wanted.

At the other end of the room would be a real working fireplace, and to one side there would be a mini fridge containing milk and butter, there would also be tea and hot chocolate things along with bread, as well as a kettle and toaster so you could spend all day in there drinking tea and eating freshly made toast.

No, I didn’t forget the door, that would be a secret hidden left for you to discover how to get into my little private hideaway library.

Am I the only one.

Am I the only one who’s not feeling at all Christmassy yet?

I’m not quite sure why. I love Christmas but that buzz just isn’t there this year. Maybe it is because the weather isn’t what we are used to at this time of year, there are still plenty of leaves on the trees, the wrong plants are still in flower or trying to be. Here’s one example of this – photo taken in the UK on the 2nd of December.

See what I mean, strawberries shouldn’t be attempting to grow at this time of year!

Another thing is, I find it difficult to feel all Christmas cheery when I am so aware there are families out there who are struggling to survive day to day, and are worried about that and on top of that, they worry about letting the children down this Christmas.

If you see someone who is struggling, please give them a little help. Remember, help can be given in many different ways, it doesn’t have to be financially. Maybe you have a few hours spare each week and could help with the children while they grab some overtime, or maybe you have spare eggs from your own chickens, but most importantly just sit down with them and listen. Then they’ll know you care!

An accessible Home, what would you want/need?

This is my list.

If I was designing my idea of the perfect place for me, I think I’d aim for very accessible but not overly controlled by technology such as Alexa.

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First of all it would be a bungalow, and entirely step free. Have you ever noticed how many bungalows have a step at the front door, and or into the back garden? It seems crazy to me.

The main bathroom would have a bath, loo, and sink but be big enough for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre. The taps would be Lever taps and the sink would have space, rather than a storage area underneath so you can get close enough to it.

The main bedroom would have a profile bed, and easy access wardrobe with pull-down rails. There would be an ensuite wetroom all wheelchair user friendly with folding shower seat, plenty of grab rails, loo and height adjustable sink with lever taps.

The kitchen work surfaces would be height adjustable, and cupboards would be height adjustable with pull down shelving. There would be pull out surfaces to provide extra space when needed for ease of reach. Definitely a dishwasher, and ideally an American fridge/freezer for ease of access.

The dining room would have enough space to get around and accommodate a table big enough for 8, though that would be when it was extended for entertaining. The table would have space underneath to get right up to it as a wheelchair user.

I’d like two other bedrooms for visitors, or for one for a PA if/when needed. I’d obviously want to be able to get around the rooms as they’d be part of my home.

The front room would have space to manouvre in a wheelchair, and to have a second wheelchair user as well – I plan on having friends over!! There would be a firm but comfortable sofa, and also two rise and recline chairs for visitors to use. Also I would have a wood burner for the winter, and as a backup form of heating if there was a power cut.

Hallway lights would be movement activated, so I’d not have to keep switching them on and off. The doors would be operated and locks activated via a remote fob as I approached them, with a keycode entry probably for certain people authorised to use it.

Photo by Leeloo Thefirst on Pexels.com

Gardening (container gardening mostly) is something I’m really starting to enjoy and want to do more of, this is difficult in the winter, so I’d love a conservatory that I could sit in and enjoy looking at the garden all year round, and could start off seeds in when it was too cold for me to sit in the garden, and have some delightfully scented and pretty indoor plants in there all the time to bring the garden inside.

Windows would all be easy reach, or open/shut, and lockable by a remote control.

Definitely want and craft room/study, for all my hobbies. Who knew crafting could take up so much space!! This would have lots of kallax style shelfing, and height adjustable desks/work space.

Disability equipment such as wheelchairs need a storage space for when not in use, and for charging. This would be incorporated into a utility room along with any other medical supplies, and the washing machine and drier.

Outdoor space would include room for 2 cars to park, a small front garden area. Then a decent sized back garden that is completely enclosed, to be dog friendly. Some green space where I could grown some hydrangeas, and roses – my favourite plants. Ooh and some fruit trees, even if only those small patio ones. How wonderful would it be to be able to pop outside and pick some fruit to snack on. I already grow strawberries so they’d be a great addition to give variety.

No doubt I have forgotten some things, so if you have ideas please do leave a comment with your ideas or recommendations.

Everyone has a dream, even if it looks impossible – keep hoping and believing you can achieve it.

Everyone has a dream, I bet you have one. I know I do!!

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Keep working slowly but surely towards your dream, keep that belief that it will come true one day. I have a dream, it seems so far away at the moment, but I hold on to it in the hope it will happen one day.

My dream is simple, yet one so many others out there also share (I wonder if you have this same dream) it is to have a place of my own, set up just how I need and want it to be.

My dream place would be a bungalow on the edge of a town , so within a reasonable walking/wheeling distance of the shops and other amenities, also near a bus stop. The bungalow itself would be adapted for my needs so – wheelchair accessible, height adjustable kitchen, a wet room, a garden as I love planting stuff and watching it grow, and for my dog to have space outside to play. If I was extra lucky it would have a study/craft room for my hobbies, and a conservatory to relax in.

I think I need to win the lottery to make this dream come true! But, I keep hoping.

Bungalow in Longtye Drive, Chestfield by Peter Wyatt is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0