07 April 2020
We recently got in touch with Peter, Stanley, Lynnette and Julia, who previously shared their Real Life Stories with us, to catch up on how the UK lockdown has affected their daily life and what they are doing to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to age or health reasons, all four of them have been shielding or social distancing at home in accordance with the advice given by the UK Government.
Lynnette – at the age of just 27 years old, Lynnette experienced a stroke. Back in January, Lynnette told us how daily living aids, such as the plate guard and bath lift had significantly helped her with tasks that had become more difficult. Lynnette gave us some insight into how she is protecting herself and her two daughters from COVID-19 by staying at home.
Peter – earlier in the year Peter told us all about the Aquatec Pure Bidet he had bought and how it helped him to gain independence at home. He has kindly shared his feelings about the current UK lockdown with us and what he is doing to stay busy.
Stanley – “Stanno” shared his incredible story with us earlier this year and explained how a number of mobility aids have helped to give him daily support. He agreed to tell us more about how the COVID-19 restrictions have affected him over the past few weeks.
Julia – in February, Julia shared her story about adapting to life after a Pulmonary Embolism and how her walking trolley enabled her to move more freely around her home. Now, she tells us all about the activities that are keeping her busy during the UK lockdown.
Due to the strict restrictions put in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19, many of us are using different technologies to stay in touch with family and friends. We asked Peter, Stanley, Lynnette and Julia how they had been communicating with their loved ones.
Stanley: We stay in touch with mobile phones and an iPad through FaceTime, which are very useful. We have all the communication facilities one could wish for and make good use of them.
Lynnette: We stay in contact with family through messaging or phoning.
Peter: Fortunately, I am a nerd and I'm well equipped to stay in touch online and by phone. I have a desktop computer, my mobile phone and a couple of tablets so am well equipped to stay in touch online.
Julia: I have been staying in touch with friends and family by telephone, FaceTime, Messenger, Email, and Facebook. I use an iPad for FaceTime, Messenger, Emails and Facebook.
Staying at home for such a long period of time can be difficult, and Peter and Stanley, in particular, find themselves getting a little bored. However, finding daily activities to do and immersing yourself in your favourite hobbies can help to pass the time.
Lynnette: I’ve tried to keep sane by taking up cross stitch and reading again. I’ve always been an avid reader, but I’d stopped reading as much as I used to; so, I picked up my books again. Of course, then the kids’ school was closed so I’ve been busy home schooling since then – planning a schedule, making sure I’ve got all they need and trying to keep doing my own physio stuff has taken up most of my days. So, I keep busy.
Stanley: At home, apart from conversations with friends and family, I mainly rely on watercolour painting, TV and general housework.
Peter: I am quite physically limited as to what I can do since I do not walk and only have the use of one hand but there is always the television!!
Julia: I knit hats (for the homeless), blankets that are usually for sale at our Church coffee mornings (all in aid of different charities), some embroidery, writing, reading and I thought I would take up water colour painting, again. I also make cards from old ones.
Lynnette also lives with her husband and two daughters, so she must keep a routine for the children’s education and consider their daily activities, as well as her own.
Lynnette: We use an online programme for the children which is recommended and used by school. Their day is scheduled like it would be at school into different learning periods, with workbooks provided by school and online work where they can stay in contact with their teacher daily – including break time, chore time etc. They do yoga before bed to help wind down – this is super important for my autistic daughter.
Daily livings aids can support many people who are living with different conditions. Peter and Julia were kind enough to tell us a bit about the aids they use and how they have helped them to stay safe and confident at home during the lockdown.
Julia: The walking trolley is essential for me being able to cope alone, also grab rails, my commode, rise and recliner chair, chair tables (I have three – two in sitting room, one in bedroom), and also reaching aids are vital.
Peter: I have a powered lifting device which has given me great peace of mind since I now know that whatever physical condition I am in in we can cope. Also, my automatic bidet device means that we have not run out of toilet paper!
Getting out in the fresh and air and enjoying some exercise will be different for everyone depending on their mobility and the government guidelines they are advised to follow. As part of her recovery, Lynnette is improving her walking abilities and Julia and Stanley can both enjoy their gardens whilst the restrictions for COVID-19 remain in place.
Lynnette: I am trying to build confidence and extend my walking distance, so I go for a walk each day just on my street trying to see if I can walk a little farther each time. I get a little fresh air every day at the moment but nowhere near other people – only outside my house.
Julia: I go walking in the garden, water flowers and do a little weeding.
Stanley: We have a large garden so when the weather improves, we should be able to sit outside.
Although Stanley, Lynnette, Peter and Julia are currently all doing well, staying safe and taking things steady, like many others, they have concerns about this new “way of life” we are all adjusting to.
Due to their underlying health conditions, it is perhaps unsurprising that Stanley and Peter are especially worried about contracting COVID-19 as they feel the virus would affect them most severely. Interestingly, despite experiencing a pulmonary embolism 5 years ago, 75-year-old Julia admitted:
“I’m not at all worried about contracting COVID-19 – it’s the younger ones who have my sympathy and compassion.”
There were also concerns about safely getting essentials delivered, especially with the limited availability of online shopping, but all four have ongoing support from their family.
Stanley and Peter both said that they were looking forward to getting simple freedoms back, such as getting out of the house and going out to eat at their favourite restaurants. All four noticed the support and efforts from family, neighbours or people online and were very grateful to those who were helping to fight against the virus.
We’d like to thank Peter, Stanley, Lynnette and Julia for speaking to us and letting us know how they are getting along. We hope you can use some of their ideas to keep both physically and mentally active during the UK lockdown and we wish you all good health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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