I've had few things to write about recently and I've missed that. I've kept myself somewhat active and visible by passing along bits of information that I've hoped folks would find informative and/or interesting as Facebook status updates.
Despite my quietness, a lot of things have been going on with me. As I've mentioned before, my a.c. broke down for good last June. In looking back, it was positively chilly last Summer compared to this year - not only in Florida, but throughout the Northern Hemisphere. For folks who are sick or elderly, high temperatures are dangerous because elderly folks have a harder time in regulating their body temperatures, making heat stroke and heat exhaustion a possibility. With weeks of outside "feels-like" temperatures of over 105 degrees day after day and indoor temperatures over 94, the fans are the only saving grace for me and the dogs.
Also my refrigerator had stopped working last August, and soon after, the brakes in my car quit.
I've been plodding along for these many months, driving with my emergency brake always at the ready (aggravating my compressed L1-S5 fracture and its bilateral sciatica), lugging in 10 pounds of ice every other day or so that I place within a styrofoam cooler inside the freezer portion of my frig, and utilizing the hell out of existing ceiling and new upright fans throughout the house.
I kept this all pretty much close to my chest, mainly out of embarrassment and shame. While I occasionally mentioned some of those problems on Facebook and/or Twitter, my neighbors and offline friends knew little until recently.
I think because I was becoming increasingly tired and depressed with the"routines", I started mentioning it to my closest neighbors, especially after my car finally broke down and I needed to ask for assistance from those neighbors in order to get groceries, etc. Whatever funds I had pieced together to buy a refrigerator this month were spent instead on the $771.00 it took to get my car out of the repairman's "jail." To add to my depression, that repair bill left me with less than $20. for the last 20 days of the month, leaving me begging for food money.
A week ago Friday, a lady knocked on my door and was quite insistent that she enter my home. Since I've been so sick for so long, the place was a mess and having someone from the County demanding access was extremely embarrassing and shameful. Initially, I thought she was here
because of my messy house, but it turned out someone had indeed called the Elder Hotline, but because someone felt
I was at risk.
Of course, they don't disclose who makes that phone call to the Hotline, but I can certainly guess who it was. If I could speak to that person, I would thank her profusely. I am exceedingly grateful for her making that call that has brought me so much help.
The investigation into my situation began then and it has initiated a flurry of much-needed help for me that would not have happened had I requested them myself (which I had done, wheelchair bound, pre-Lyme diagnosis, around 1999, and was rebuffed in the most patronizing, condescending manner by two county employees who called themselves social workers).
The services which they have now qualified me for include:
1. An aide for an hour each morning to help me get in and out of the shower and assist with whatever personal care as needed.
2. Assistance 3 times a week for an hour for light housekeeping.
3. Assistance for 8 hours to help do a thorough cleaning.
4. Monthly pest control.
5. Meals on Wheels that provide meals for 7 days a week including a hot meal each noon.
6. Of course, my own Social Worker who oversees and directs all.
7. Had I a landline, I would have been supplied the services of Lifeline (LifeAlert?). Since I utilize my cell phone only, I'm instructed to always have it with me.
8. A referral to an a.c. company to actually evaluate the status of my a.c. I don't recall (if I was told) what is going to be done with that information they garner. But I do know that it would be wonderful to get another opinion as to the status of my 21 year old air conditioner, especially one without such a vested interest in it being irreparable.
9. It will be requested that I receive an emergency waiver so that I can be placed on Medicaid as soon as possible. Apparently this will save me money but without the emergency waiver, I'd be placed on a 2 year waiting list before it would go into effect.
Pretty amazing, no? The best is that the first month is free. All services were in place within the first week. If services are provided after that (and it's expected to) the cost to me, based on my income, will be $41.00 month. !!
We read stories about others like me all the time. Those who are struggling to stay independent and in their homes but are clinging desperately to that dream and certainly need help now.
Make that call now to help another old person at risk!.
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