[guide.chat] In Reply To: John
- From: "John Keel" <j.keel1428@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Carol O'Connor" <missbossyboots33@xxxxxxxxx>, "guide chat" <guide.chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2012 00:15:39 -0000
Hi Carol,
Yes, you are right. Things have improved quite significantly since your time in
Sheltered accommodation. They call this Assisted living. There are 69 flats
here all sold on lease hold so we all own our own places. The kitchens are
quite small but well equipped with fridge, freezer, and plenty of cupboard
space and electric points. We all have our own phones and there are hand rails
in the corridors but only on one side which I think is daft. There are alarm
cords in every room and I wear a pendent round my neck in case I have a fall or
even worse. Mine is a single bedroom flat. The bedroom has fitted carpet and a
double bed in it so I can roll about in comfort. The bathroom has a bath,
shower and lew, a wet room floor which is non slip, heated towel rail and a
heater on the wall. and I have a reasonable sized sitting room with sofa, my
big comfortable chair, a table where I can eat or work, a glass topped coffee
table and an enormous bookcase which holds my DVD collection. There is a door
leading out to a patio which I had specially built where I can sit out in the
summer and where Winnie goes to spend. This is very much a bachelor pad and if
you came here, you would find no ornaments or knickknacks which you find in
ladies accommodation.
There is a large lounge for socialising and tea and coffee is available all
day. and a dining room that serves lunch everyday at £4 a meal. A cleaner
comes once a week to clean the flat and there is someone on duty 24 hours a
day. There is a laundry and a room for disposal of rubbish, and another which
is where the owners of electric scooters park their machines. Of course we
don't get all that for nothing and I have to pay nearly £500 a month for
service charge plus about £250 twice a year for ground rent.
This may sound a lot but I don't think it is costing much more to live here
than it did when I lived in Newcastle and managed my own property.
The development is not specifically for blind people but for the elderly.
However, we do have a few folks with sight problems mainly because of old age.
We have one lady who has just celebrated her 100th birthday. She got a nice
card from the queen and we had a lovely party for her.
If I want to go out, there is a very good charity here in Rushden with
voluntary drivers who will take you anywhere locally for £3 for the return
trip. I use this mainly for shopping and doctor's appointments. Hope this
answers your question.
Happy new year sweetie,
Love John xxxx
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