Nancy's Story

Nancy, aged 95, lives alone in West Bridgford. Her next of kin live approximately 10 mins away. Nancy has a care alarm installed, along with a linked smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector for safety. In addition, a keysafe for access in emergencies.  When Nancy was referred for the service it was highlighted that there was a potential falls risk and the family do not live close by.

On Sunday 6 November at 10.46am a pendant alarm call was received from Nancy. When the call handler tried to communicate with Nancy there was initially no response, but then some muffled background noises could be heard.

Not knowing if Nancy was hurt the normal protocol would be to contact the family and ask them to attend to see what the issue was. However, with the family not close by it was decided to send a staff member as the home is not far from the Nottingham on Call office.

On arrival Josef, the Assistive Technology Officer, entered the property via the key-safe while shouting out for her to let her know who he was. He made his way upstairs and found Nancy quite anxious and distressed on the floor. She was talking into her home phone thinking that we were speaking with her via that.

Josef spoke with her for a few minutes to figure out what had happened and if she was injured at all. Nancy stated she had fallen after using the commode and lost her balance, but she was not injured.

After speaking for a few minutes Nancy seemed to calm down so Josef was able to then help her back onto her feet and then to her stair lift. 

She then went downstairs to which Josef helped her to her sofa to relax. They chatted for a few minutes to make sure Nancy was ok. As Josef was leaving he spoke with the neighbour who does her gardens and informed him what had happened. He then went into her property to sit with her until Nancy's son Geoff arrived.

At 12.11pm a further pendant alarm call come through. This time it was Nancy’s son Geoff. He wanted to let us know that he had arrived on site and that he wanted to pass on his thanks for the support we had provided to his mother. 

This story highlights the value of the Nottingham on Call service in supporting potentially vulnerable people as well as their next of kin.

When an alert comes through we will try to establish quickly what the situation is and what help might be required. Usually, the next of kin are contacted so they attend to provide the right support. 

On this occasion it was decided we would attend as the extra time for the family to attend might make a difference in the outcome. 

It is known that the longer a person is on the floor following a fall the more likely that they will be injured and required an ambulance and possible a hospital admission. 

So a good outcome of Nancy getting early help to get safely up from the floor and made comfortable so no need for an ambulance to be called. 

If you need help feeling safer in your own home, speak to our friendly team who will assist you in finding the right solution for you. Call us on 0115 746 9101.