Stay Independent

24/09/2025

I've been to see such a lovely lady! 94yrs old, sadly has been given a very difficult diagnosis and is becoming quite unwell. I was there to find solutions to help her to stay living at home. She told me that she had really enjoyed talking to me and that I had been very helpful. Despite all of her worries and problems she still thought to say something nice to me. How lovely!!

19/09/2025

From Awareness to Action! That's the theme of falls prevention week. If we know what might contribute to a fall, it's possible to take action to prevent it. Staying active, a balanced diet, good hydration, keeping on top of vision, hearing, any health conditions, and foot comfort are really important factors, as well as the home environment around you. Simple things like loose rugs and objects on the stairs are often over looked and frequently our downfall, so please don't overlook things that seem to small to bother about. Age UK has some helpful information https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/exercise/staying-steady-download-page/

Many of us may start to feel unsteady on our feet as we get older. Age UK's information guide can help you reduce your risk of falling.

19/09/2025

From this month, the NHS is expanding the shingles vaccination programme.

Adults aged 18+ who have a very weak immune system are now eligible for the shingles vaccine.

You don’t need to wait for an invitation — you can book at your GP practice.

Read more: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/shingles-vaccine/

18/09/2025

This week is falls prevention week, the theme is “From Awareness to Action”, to underline that falls are not a normal part of ageing and most falls can be prevented. Older adults have the power to reduce their risk of falling but it can be hard to see how when you're in the midst of it all. Sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes with informed knowledge of falls prevention to see where the falls risk is arising and how to resolve it. That's where I come in as a qualified, experienced OT. www.stayindependent.uk or email: beindependent@stayindependent.uk There's some great resources highlighted this week for falls prevention.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bp-assets/globalassets/waltham-forest/documents/advice-guides/falls-prevention-advice.pdf

23/08/2025

23/08/2025

Did you know your balance depends on five different systems working together?

Your inner ear helps detect motion, your eyes keep you oriented in space, and your skin, muscles, and joints send signals about pressure and movement. All of that information is processed by your brain and spinal cord to keep you steady and upright.

When even one part of this system is disrupted, it can lead to dizziness, imbalance, or disorientation. That’s why vestibular disorders can feel so overwhelming—they impact the entire balance network.

🔗 Learn more about how your body maintains balance:
https://vestibular.org/article/coping-support/living-with-a-vestibular-disorder/motion-sickness/

30/07/2025

Thank you for all the positive feedback about my lovely clients achievement. I was very pleased to have an excellent physio, Clare Vardy join me in the rehab team. There she is behind behind our lovely client at the top of the stairs. I've worked with Clare a lot, she's a brilliant physio, highly skilled, really caring and like me visits you at home so you don't have to worry about getting anywhere. You can find her on LinkedIn by searching her name.

29/07/2025

No hands!!! Nipping down the stairs without using the banister! While I would always recommend using the banister rail when on the stairs, this does show how far my fabulous client has progressed from when she had a bed downstairs! Well Done! All the more independent now because she can also carry things up and down stairs! be.independent@stayindependent.uk www.stayindependent.uk

15/07/2025

She's in!!! My lovely client can now get in and out of the bath! 6 months ago, when she had to sleep in a bed downstairs in the living room, getting the bath seemed such a long way off! She's worked really hard in therapy and she's done it! Well Done! She's given me permission to post this photo so long as her face disguised so you can't see, but I can tell you that she is wearing the biggest smile!!!!

06/07/2025

What a lovely thank you! I've discharged and said good-bye to a lovely client who has achieved all of her therapy goals. It's great that she doesn't need me anymore!