Letter Received from a Resident. Few words have been
omitted for privacy reasons
Our
Warden deals with this community and and a smaller one of
thirty. These two properties along with the adjoining
bungalows and flats must amount to 60 plus another 30.
In the morning she checks that all the residents are alive
and well, offers advice or help on a great number of
subjects and problems, fuse box tripped, change an electric
light bulb. All sorts of tiny things that poorly sighted or
arthritic suffers could not complete. The list is almost
endless. Tuesday afternoon she supervises an hour of physio
exercises..
Some residents have no relatives, or relative, living in
England, so if they are suddenly taken into hospital the
Warden packs their bag and keeps in contact with the
hospital.
She is required to keep hallways and fire exits
unobstructed (Fire and ambulance) fire drill to be carried
out, smoke and fire alarms, and all fire doors working
properly.
In the case of fatal or disabling accidents who will be
responsible, Supporting People or the agency floating agent
?
I have keys to two adjacent flats in case of emergencies
when the Warden is not available ; One Thursday morning I
heard faint cries for help. I used the key : I found the
housebound resident, who had just come out of hospital on
the floor unable to reach the alarm cord. I pressed the
alarm and asked them to call an ambulance, they also called
the Warden who was at another site. I know of another case
where the housebound tenant fell, pulled the alarm cord and
for some reason it was not picked up until ten hours later,
so she laid of the floor all night.
The tenants here are very worried. They anticipate cleaning
will deteriorate, they will become more vulnerable and
their rents will suffer large increases (sub contractors
have to be watched closely (example hospital wards and
railways)).
This year I will be 92 and my disiabled wife 94