POST BEGUN 0825HRS BST 1 SEPTEMBER 2026

 

When something requiring emergency services happens to someone 'my age', a serious rethink is in order. In my case the rethink is on the 'no-brainer' level, on Paul's it is more a hugely reluctant re-think level.

 

Honestly all I can think of is how terribly difficult it was for the paramedics to get me out of the house to the ambulance and how difficult it is for the transport team (consultant says no to my husband hiring a car to get me to appointments as he wants my ankle professionally supported during transport).

 

We ARE going to have to move house. Paul knows, I know, he's dreading it and I can't fault him for the dread. But. But we are 'our age' (68 and 70) and stuff happens no matter how well we think we've prepared. 

 

We thought this shoebox was 'our last house move'. We thought wrong. Future-proofing and ageing-in-place planning wasn't as well thought-out as we thought - our first priority should have been easy access for emergency services followed closely by easy house and garden maintenance especially including walk-in showers and raised mains outlets (electrical plugs). 

 

Neither of us expected one of us to fall and break bones necessitating extraction via stretcher chair. Now all I can think about is what the hell do I do if Paul has a heart attack - yeah I can do CPR but I can't get him onto a sofa while waiting for paramedics. He can get me onto a sofa but he can't do CPR or any other kind of first aid.

 

I thought we could handle anything EXCEPT broken bones. So naturally I fell and broke my ankle in three places (the heel fracture hurts the worst, btw).