Living alone after pacemaker and bio monitor

How long is a piece of string?

by cagedliberty - 2020-02-24 18:14:09

Hello young lady!

I have no experience with your situation but I totally understand wanting to be alone. That is also my goal in my future as I don't really need my kids telling me how to live my life!

I think that only you can answer your question as it depends on how independent you currently are or are able to become and only you know the full truth.

I live  alone with my14 year old who goes to school so I am home alone half the day and sometimes get scared to climb down stairs alone if I feel chest pains. Today, I realized that my heart monitor was a godsend for heart patients like us. I was having chest pains and wondering what was wrong and then realized that the heart monitor given to me after my surgery would have picked up any anomalies. So I called the device clinic and asked if there was anything wrong and they told me that no alerts or triggers had been recorded so it might just be healing pains (I am eight weeks post surgery).

Now that I know that I can check in on my heart, I feel more confident about being alone. The only things I need help with is lifting heavy items and that is only until I am fully healed.

So I vote yes you can live on your own as long as you have contingency plans in place for your heart concerns! Good luck with whatever you decide!

Go for it

by Gemita - 2020-02-24 20:03:24

My goodness 72 is no age!!   Are you worried about becoming ill and not being able to care for yourself because you have a pacemaker ??  Actually the pacemaker should give you a new lease of life and more protection from any troublesome symptoms.  It should also help you to be more independent.

Many of us are loners and prefer to be on our own.  There is nothing unhealthy about that, but perhaps you need to sit down with your daughter and explain just how you are feeling.  She will not be hurt if you are open and honest with her.  I am assuming that you are physically well enough to care for yourself, do your own shopping and cooking or have the means to pay for care if and when it is needed?  

Good luck with your new life and remember we are never too old to try something new !!!  

Hi

by Bionic Beat - 2020-02-24 23:07:28

If you are unsure or want a 'safety' net, perhaps you could get a fall detector button with alarm.

They have two way speakers that are manned 24/7 and if you need help, you just push the alarm.   

Best Wishes,

Bionic Beat

Try an apple 4 watch

by Lexitoo - 2020-02-25 11:14:25

I live with my husband...who is a dear, but rarely home...golf, poker club, gym, etc. My apple 4 watch is a godsend....besides tracking my heart rate ( i have afib and flutter and a PM for heart rate, etc) if I should fall, it asks me if I am ok...if I don't answer it calls 911, tells them where I am and contacts my emergency call list.  It also allows me to make or answer a phone call by just touching the stem and speaking.  A real god send. I think Id be fine on my own with this...I never have to hurry to the phone and risk falling, etc.  

And no additional cost

by Lexitoo - 2020-02-25 11:16:44

It is a bit pricey up front, but no monthly fee for the rest...with your iphone.

alone

by new to pace.... - 2020-02-26 10:05:29

My sister's had that same concern that i should not be living alone at 79. Pacemaker implanted this past Aug,2019. One did give the "am not alone call system" .  have not used it and will not.  I to liked liveing alone.  That said am about to have shoulder surgery on the right side.  One of my friends is having to move out of where she was renting.  I said why don't you move in here.  solution solved no need to wear call button.

Maybe you can find another senior who is in need of a share.  Or a college student.  You can still do what you want.  But there is another in your home in case you are in need.

mary

Questions to ask yourself

by Violet West - 2020-02-26 13:45:15

only you can evaluate your situation on living alone.  As we age, even without PMs, we may need different solutions.  Think about:

--am I able to get around the house/how mobile am I/how's my eyesight?

--can I drive or is there access to public transportation

--can I do my activities of daily living (shopping, cleaning, cooking, gardening, bathing, etc.)

--is my living quarters suitable for aging in place? (think wide corridors, door handles, bathroom grab bars, etc., aka universal design)

--what is my support system?  Family, friends, social networks.  Do I have people and resources I can call for help if needed?

--what backup systems can I use? (smart watch, Alexa, help me I've fallen button)

Major concerns here are mobility, fall prevention, ADLs, access to medical care, resources.  These are things we all have to think about as we age. 

Good luck! 

Pacemaker living is safe living.

by Gotrhythm - 2020-02-26 20:16:17

I think you're not so much asking about living alone generally as asking can a senior live alone if she has a pacemaker.

There is no reason at all that having a pacemaker would limit one's ability to live independently. Lots of people of all ages, including yours, live alone.

Life is risky. As you get older the number of risks seem to increase. But having a pacemaker doesn't increase life's risks. Anything in your ordinary life that you could safely do before a pacemaker, you can safely do after a pacemaker.