Housing association finally to help Nethy Bridge pensioner after serious injuries in fall at home
After revealing Nethy Bridge pensioner Mary Duncan’s plight a fortnight ago, the Strathy has been assured by her housing association that matters are finally now in hand to get her life back to something approaching normal.
Following a fall which left her with a fractured vertebrae, Mrs Duncan has found her bathroom at her home in Broomhill Court virtually unusable since last November and has had to make do with no shower or bath since then.
Constant requests for help for the 85 year old from Albyn Housing seemed to have been falling on deaf ears.
But a spokesperson for the association confirmed earlier this week: “Albyn’s team has been liaising closely with the tenant and work is planned to start by the end of this month.
“There are many issues with construction shortages, etcetera, as has been well documents, but given the circumstances this work and supplies have been prioritised.
“Usually with this sort of work the tenant stays in the property during the work, but in this case Albyn have arranged and are covering the cost of alternative accommodation.
“Albyn has also made additional arrangements with the tenant to ensure any disruption is minimised and is in regular contact with her, at least weekly.”
The news has come as a relief, for neighbour Becky Lindsay too, who told the Strathy the constant disappointments of the past had proved very upsetting.
She said: “Mary, for example, has been promised a box to catch her post, so she’s not bending to pick up mail as she can’t, and for lowered railings in her wardrobe as she has lost several inches of height and can’t reach properly.
“All pretty words, but no action.
“We both get pretty fed up of Albyn constantly saying something to appease her and not following through on it. This entire time, Mary has emphasised that she just wants to be kept informed.
“If things take a long time to action, she’d understand if they kept her updated. They never do however, and she is so frustrated.”
Mrs Lindsay confessed: “I don’t understand how she has no help from the social system either. Apparently there are no staff available.
“Mary has had to rely on me and other neighbours and friends to help her get food shopping, still paying for someone to clean the house, still paying for her hair to be washed once a week and having her washing picked up and delivered as she can’t bend to reach in and out of the washing machine.
“All in all, it’s just an extremely frustrating situation.”