Tunstall Online - Case Study: 'Frail'

Mrs B - I didn't seem to have any balance at all and I didn't improve. I went to hospital and they couldn't find out why I was so unbalanced, but I mean I'd fallen in the most extraordinary places. I can still walk but as the years have gone by I've not improved and I get dizzy and just fall, so that's when I had to ring my red button, for which I'm very grateful.
When I fall I ring my button and they say "Are you hurt?" and I say "Yes" or "No". I'll say "No" as a rule but I just can't get up, I want picking up. I have three people with keys. I would say "Ring Malcolm, he's a big fine fellow, he can pick me up" and I was alright after a cup of tea, you know, I'd sort of survived. I was so relieved I'd got through to them and they'd say "We'll send somebody". If I'm not hurt at all - you know I could be sitting on the side of the bed and slide down very easily; well if I slide down I don't hurt myself but I just can't get up. The carers are wonderful, but as I say, I wouldn't be without your society for anything.

Carer - When I'm not there it's a real relief to me knowing that Lifeline is available to her and she can push a button to call them out if she gets into difficulty.