This thread is an off shoot from the one about the caregiver crisis looming for any and all who are or will be facing chronic illness without a caregiver. I have spoken to a few and they all have some "helpful hints" that get them through the tight spots.

Here are a few:
1. Keep bottled water, and a few meds close to anywhere in the house you could get stranded.

2. Keep blanket and pillow close to anywhere you could get stranded.

3. carry a cell phone with you and have some people on your speed dial. Keep your phone charged and on.

4. stash flashlites all over the house. ONLY purchase LCD if possible. I have one that is good for up to 20 hours of light on 3 AAA batteries.

5. Think carefully about where you place rugs and carpeting. Hard floors are a bugger to be stranded on, but they are great if you can get yourself into a desk chair and move around that way.

6. Have no cooking required food on hand if possible.

7. learn to just sit and wait.

8. Have extra food on hand in case you can't get out for a few days. Oatmeal and raisens are good choices. Cheap and easy to prepare. Can even be eaten raw or cold.

9. Make sure someone has a set of keys to your house and can get in if your really in trouble

Anyone want to add anything to the list? I know there are probably tons of good ideas that we can share.

rosebud aka Joy

hello dear rosebud,
depending on how well you do -you may be blessed to take care of oneself...
but we donot all wear the same Parkie shoes -
1. make sure your neighbors know you are a PD patient
2. wear a PD id band for ER's
and read this awesome ton of info from a site -
called:
living alone with PD ?
http://www.livingalonewithparkinsons.com/

joy - thanks for starting this thread! i think there are many of us out there - networking is good.

I don't have time to reply in detail now, but want to keep this up top.

Tena / Joy - the livingalonewithPD website is a Vancouver BC person - do you guys know who it is?

Also Tena (off topic) - I'm going tomorrow with several friends to an Obama rally in Seattle - we're tremendously excited - it will be the 2nd time I have seen him!

keep the faith -

wow -dear carey!!!

I wish I lived by you!!!
lucky you!!
I just wanna know one thing -off topic - and political
how did they have a draw - In my heart of hearts I feel really ticked
that O'Bama did not win?
mz. clinton and barack obama -tied?
the odds of that happening are higher than winning the lottery...

ps: I do not have any idea whom it is in Canada but I know several people in Canada w/ PD?

my views do not reflect the neurotalk site...

I've been in the situation where I fell and couldn't get up and the more I tried the worse it got. I had my cell phone but none of my neighbors were home and my husband wasn't expected for hours. I called the police department and they sent the EMT's who told me i should have called sooner.

My suggestioin for this topic would be
...carry a small pillbox in your pocket or
...if you use a walker, keep filled pillbox in your basket.

1-keep sweaters scattered around
2- pills everywhere
3- if it is just you, think about living in the floor. crawling is not only safer than walking, it is less stressfull, and it is dynamite exercise. get a futon or two and maybe some bean bags, etc. a small dorm type refrigerator. some good quality gardening knee pads.

How about starting or joining the local equivalent of this forum? Each member could specify the number or hours or days of non-posting that would trigger a phone call from a designated caller. If no answer then it would pass on up to a real live checker, perhaps coordinated with a local church group. They, in turn, could call in support from social workers, etc. It would add a new dimension to the local support group.

This is a great thread for anyone, but for those of us who live alone, even more important...thanks for starting it.

Make sure the banister between floors does not have splintering wood.
I have to "slide" down the banister most of the time

Keep a list of all your meds in your purse or pocket at all times...and keep it UP TO DATE!...if you don't wear a MedicAlert or similar bracelet...never know when you may need that information...fall in the Metro/Subway and become unconscious, fall in a hotel, fall in a store, etc.

Don't wear an Alert necklace. It may not be found like a bracelet would be.

If you still drive, put an Alert window sticker on your windshield on the drivers side. (I can tell stories of accidents, unjconscious people and passerbys finding the sticker...not about me...thanks goodness!)

Living close to the floor is a very good idea.( Rick, I think you meant to say "on" the floor, not "in" the floor??) I have just moved into a new apt with hardwood floors. It is an open plan that I designed and I can get around nicely on a desk chair. If you are fortunate enough to have some input into your living space, try to avoid having seams on the floor that require a piece of trim to cover the seam (example: transition from hardwood to tile). Also my bathroom is just a few feet from my bedroom. I recently got a daybed frame for my bed which has lots of "grab bars". Avoid soft furniture, or sitting in a chair where your butt is lower than your knees. They are very difficult to get out of if meds go off.
Dottie: when I find myself in a situation I cannot get out of I have learned it is VERY important not to panic. Just relax untill your stress level drops. its amazing what you can do if you are not stressed.

When I have one of those days when I know I could be off with little or no warning I put all my stuff in a little basket and carry it around with me.(Little Red Riding Hood) It usually has pills, glasses, water bottle, cell phone, chapstick, small flashlight.
I also try to buy sweatshirts, sweaters and hoodies with pockets and zippers. AND I have several pairs of stretchy yoga pants although they rarely come with pockets.

Carey: I don't know who runs the livingalonewithPD website, but the local PD society has run a few forums for just those people. I have not made it out to any of their programs. I'll look into it.

Here's the link:

http://www.livingalonewithparkinsons.com/