Tunstall Online - Case Study: 'Falls'

Mrs E - It was a hot summer day and I was hurrying home to get my husband's tea and I had a steep hill to walk down. I had leather soles to my shoes and what happened? My feet went from underneath me, I fell back on my back and head, and consequently what happened then was that I had several disk operations because I damaged the disks and this foot and this leg dropped. I had to wear a calliper on that one and this progressed worse over the years.
I used to have a coal fire. It was lovely when you could cook toast on, beautiful toast, it was great and I miss that a great deal. Then suddenly one day I lost my balance and nearly fell in the fire. I rang my doctor straight away and said I was very upset about it. Then, of course, they said about having this and I thought at the time "I don't want it" but I realised I had to have it and I've had to call on them a couple of times in the night when I was very poorly with something. I didn't know what was wrong with me, I was so terrified but when I press this, a voice answers right away. It was a God-send, it really was.
I never thought about this you see. I could do things and I was going to be determined to do everything myself. I never thought of the consequences otherwise and then I did start having some falls and was hurting myself and then they called the people in concern and they recommended that I have this. I do not know what I would have done without it. I really do not know what I would do without this now. I'm very sensible at night. I lock my door and the first thing I do is put the key under the mat. About three or four people have got my keys I think! If I ever do leave the bungalow eventually, they'll have to go around collecting the keys up!

Occupational Therapist - I'm really pleased with her progress since she had a Lifeline installed and all her friends have told me that she's really back to her old self again. Every time I see someone in her situation, I recommend they use the Response Service because it really is a life saver.