Is "preparedness" a state of mind?

[TeeDee]

Where I live now...if I draw a circle of less than three miles radius, it covers everything from my great grandparents home, and graves, to where my grandparents, parents and my husbands family all lived, where I was born, where my sons were born. I've lived in this area all my life.
I worked away from home for weeks at a time but always this area is home.
The street I live in now there are still six people who were at secondary school with me, and one who was at primary.
To us, this is normal.
My eldest son has just bought a house, it's less than half a mile from where his g.g.grandparents lived.

I keep a decent pantry, I prepare 'just in case', mildly, but I do it. Thing is though, I'm not alone, many of my neighbours and friends do so too.
I sometimes wonder if 'Preppers' pay heed to the society they live in; do they feel any sense of belonging ?

M

Its the reverse isn't it? Paying a hyper focus to things - sure people can be focused on possible singular events - Solar Flare, financial collapse , epidemic etc- but mostly I think there is a vigilance on what is is going on in the world - via different news sources. Trying to see what looms on the Horizon of time. Whilst most of the world is fixated on Love Island and the current social trends.


Sense of belonging - hmm - not sure on that one.

 

[slowworm]

I sometimes wonder if 'Preppers' pay heed to the society they live in; do they feel any sense of belonging ?

We're back to the question of what is a prepper. I think many people who make plans for the future do so because of what they or people they know have experienced in life. Currently my mum is very frail and on her last legs, it's been hard but useful to see how many friends and family she's helped over the years have ignored her and how bad the NHS has been in caring for her. This experience and talking to others in a similar situation has led to us want/need to sort out some form of private healthcare for us as we get older.

 

[Toddy]

We're back to the question of what is a prepper. I think many people who make plans for the future do so because of what they or people they know have experienced in life. Currently my mum is very frail and on her last legs, it's been hard but useful to see how many friends and family she's helped over the years have ignored her and how bad the NHS has been in caring for her. This experience and talking to others in a similar situation has led to us want/need to sort out some form of private healthcare for us as we get older.

@slowworm

I am truly sorry to hear this; I hope things improve and are calm, peaceful and gentle.

I have been very, very ill, and truthfully the NHS has been superb. They're not only professional and capable, but the staff have been so kind, thoughtful and helpful. Other folks have been an immense support and comfort.

I am really, well, I'm upset, to hear that your Mum's experience hasn't been as kind.
I had thanked one nurse who had really gone out of her way to find a solution to a miserable condition, and she replied that if it were her Mum she'd want the best care she could have.
I have honestly believed that this was the attitude right across the NHS.

M

 

[Glow_worm]

I sometimes wonder if 'Preppers' pay heed to the society they live in; do they feel any sense of belonging ?

Situation dependant I'd suggest, like most aspects of prepping. I imagine many in cities (for example) feel isolated, lack a sense of community/belonging, and no doubt imagine a 'me against the world' scenario if things go wrong in small or large ways.

On the other hand, out in the wilds here I have backups to ensure I can get on with life, and look after neighbours/friends, just as I do when things are 'normal'....

 

[Broch]

Where I live now...if I draw a circle of less than three miles radius, it covers everything from my great grandparents home, and graves, to where my grandparents, parents and my husbands family all lived, where I was born, where my sons were born. I've lived in this area all my life.

This is something I have thought of for most of my life. We left the area I was born in, and where all my relations were, when I was seven and we never returned. I would have to draw a circle of nearer 200 miles Consequently, nowhere has ever felt like home and, until we moved here 30 years ago, I didn't mind where or how often I moved. But that also means I have no very close ties to school friends or even work colleagues - yes, I keep in touch with a few, but no very close relationships.

There is a strange 'closeness' of community around here. The rural farming community that we live in keeps itself to itself most of the time. It's quite a private 'family' based community. But, when needed, it's incredible what length relative strangers will go to help, even though that help may come from five miles away rather than next door or down the street.

We are relatively lucky in the UK; there are no frequent events at the moment that would cause most of us to have to up-sticks and move against our will (a few cliff-edge houses on our coasts and flood plain issues I suppose). But, I suspect, those of us that are used to moving around would find it much easier (though not enjoyable) to do so and with less grief; if one has lived somewhere all one's life, it would be a wrench.

Move me into an urban environment though and I suspect I would die within the year

 

[Pattree]

Communities of folk who can provide shelter, food and care with Community leaders who have organisational and negotiation skills are far more likely to survive catastrophe than an individual with a bug out bag.

I can’t help feeling that a lot of prepping in it’s “Internet” sense, comes from frustration and a feeling of disempowerment as large organisations shape our world and most of us are very distant from the decisions that affect our lives.

I suspect that there is some sort of group think that Armageddon represents a clean sheet in which an individual can become some romantic version of a pioneer, maybe even a hunter gatherer. I’m not so sure that this vision includes the body breaking hard work that that lifestyle required.

The answer to short and medium term issues is probably community. The answer to major long term catastrophe has to be community.



I’ve many times felt that I’d love to run into the woods with my bivi bag and hide but I doubt that I would survive long.

I feel totally frustrated by what our so called leaders are doing - and that includes at least the last twelve administrations. I have watched my country descend from leadership of Empire via a series of retreats down to a little isolated island. I often feel that a clean sweep might be a good idea but I need to recognise that as the fantasy that it is. The best Preppers on Earth are the current world leaders.

I can and shall influence those aspects of my life that I am able. However getting used living in a world where my life swings on global decisions made by people totally beyond my influence is probably the most useful/practical and healthy state of mind for survival in all its senses.

 

[slowworm]

I am truly sorry to hear this; I hope things improve and are calm, peaceful and gentle.

Thank you. The problems are mainly down to old age now and have been going on for a long time, so mum and I are both prepared for what happens.

She regularly sees a GP and has had multiple stays in hospital so we get to experience a large cross section of the NHS. Yes, there are some excellent people, many good people but also some who do not care and some who make mistakes. My mum has been sent home from one hospital when she needed hospital care for a week, she has had medication changed which according to more senior doctors could have killed her and various other issues. I also know a few NHS staff who would say the same sort of thing.

The underlying problem seems to be health issues are not investigated properly by hospitals & GPs and fixed, it all seems too reactionary than preventative. That's why I would think about private health care & treatment.

 

[Broch]

We're back to the question of what is a prepper. I think many people who make plans for the future do so because of what they or people they know have experienced in life. Currently my mum is very frail and on her last legs, it's been hard but useful to see how many friends and family she's helped over the years have ignored her and how bad the NHS has been in caring for her. This experience and talking to others in a similar situation has led to us want/need to sort out some form of private healthcare for us as we get older.

Sorry to hear that; things are far from ideal in both community and health care. We have experienced huge problems in getting the right health care for my missus. It's not down to the people at the treatment level but what appears to be a total disconnect between doctors surgeries and consultants practices and hospitals.

I thought we had a contract with the 'Government(s)' of this country. We have been paying a thing called National Health Insurance for over 45 years, and now, when we need to start calling on that insurance, there's no service whatsoever and the only way we have made any progress is to pay again If this was a private insurance scheme failing to provide the promised service, some sort of ombudsman would be threatening to fine the provider.

Too late for us to take out any private cover now

 

[slowworm]

Sorry to hear that; things are far from ideal in both community and health care. We have experienced huge problems in getting the right health care for my missus. It's not down to the people at the treatment level but what appears to be a total disconnect between doctors surgeries and consultants practices and hospitals.

Sorry to hear about your missus. The disconnect between GPs and hospital consultants is very familiar. My mums late partner had the same issues with different health problems. What's also frustrating is the extra it costs the NHS by not tacking the time to fix the original problems but instead allowing them to become more serious and involving multiple ambulance trips and stays in hospital.

 

[Woody girl]

On hospitals, I'm presently in one! Nothing too serious. So I won't bore you, but I've been using this particular one for 25 yrs when needed.
I'm realy surprised at how it's going.
The staff are great, but rarely English nowadays. Communication is a problem between patients and some staff.
Boredom is another big problem, not even hospital radio to listen to, no TV, no books or magazines.
One shower between24 patients, and that's partially broken.
Food.... Well I've rejected outright every meal as they no longer do gluten free options. I'm living on fruit and yoghurt, and I have to ask for it.
Hopefully home today, and back to normal.
I cannot fault the care from the nurses mind. It's the rest of it going to pot!
Also noticed on a staff station a board saying what they did well, and what needed improvement. Handwashing was on the improvement list!!!! Yikes!

 

[slowworm]

On hospitals, I'm presently in one! Nothing too serious.

I hope you recover quickly.

Food was a big issue with my mum when she had to be in for a long stretch. She's always cooked her own food and has a few allergies. Hospitals, and the NHS in general, didn't seem to be able to cope with this and kept assuming she would eat ready meals (often too salty or containing something she reacts to) . She often could only choose one meal option and even then the wrong item may be provided or it was not edible. Then after a week they started to moan to her that she was loosing weight! One example was she asked for a plain yoghurt but often highly processed ones with sugar, sweeteners and flavourings would be provided, or protein drinks which she couldn't eat. They forced to to eat one and she threw up which changed their minds. Again another issue was half the food provided was thrown out.

On a constructive note I would suggest to anyone who has any allergies, or can't cope with horrible food, to take in a few decent snacks or no-cook meals.

 

[Chris]

he staff are great, but rarely English nowadays. Communication is a problem between patients and some staff.

This was a huge concern for me when my Dad was in hospital. Some of the staff (mostly nurses) could not speak English even to a basic standard. In a healthcare setting being able to communicate clearly and effectively is hugely important, and they were unable to grasp some of the things I was trying to tell them about my Dad's health. Including the fact that I had Lasting Power of Attorney and that he did not have capacity, or even what that meant. I had to physically stand and block them from administering certain treatments without consent until they went and got a doctor on several occasions.

We clearly need skilled people from overseas working in our healthcare system, but it is downright dangerous to have people who do not speak the language.

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[grainweevil]

To successfully be a patient of the NHS, you really have to start out fully fit and in good health.

Hope you escape today, Woody girl, and that you have transport home all right.

 

[Woody girl]

I am presently watching 4 little old ladies begging to be put back on their beds from their chairs, and either being ignored completely, or told they have to stay there as they are busy. The moans of pain are not funny. Nothing to take their minds off things, and one has wet herself. They are all asking for help.
The beeper ate so annoying.
I'm trying to keep spirits up, but its not easy, and I'm getting annoyed. No staff around at all for 20 mins.

 

[Megatramp]

I am presently watching 4 little old ladies begging to be put back on their beds from their chairs, and either being ignored completely, or told they have to stay there as they are busy. The moans of pain are not funny. Nothing to take their minds off things, and one has wet herself. They are all asking for help.
The beeper ate so annoying.
I'm trying to keep spirits up, but its not easy, and I'm getting annoyed. No staff around at all for 20 mins.

That's exactly what I witnessed when my mum was in, 12 years ago now. When she told me what had been going on I refused to leave and stopped with her the last week until she came home to pass. What I saw was disgraceful. It sickened me when they clapped on the street for them.

 

[Woody girl]

I'm hating the way they talk to these old people, like petulant over needy children. They are old and suffering. It's right here before my eyes.
I could physically help, but I'm not allowed. Been told off for trying.
I'm fuming, at least I can stand up for myself if needed, but these poor confused suffering ladies. ...jeeze! Not a hope.!

 

[Toddy]

I find this horrific, and so totally not my experience. I'm not being a Pollyanna about this, just very honest.
I have been hospitalised and I have been the on-call/go to person/driver/visitor for two elderly relations.
None of us suffered this lack of decency let alone care.

I think the people are sound, I think that sometimes the structure needs attention.

My own treatment has involved four different health boards, and they all have different portals for access.
There is a patient based centralised 'file', but getting everyone involved in agreement, arranging appointments, scans, treatment, etc., is very much down to the organising and networking ability of the specialist nurses attached to the surgeons....and my GP has to be kept in the loop, and is the one to deal with day to day issues.

Imagine that multiplied right across the country, for every medical speciality and necessity, and it's fairly easy to see why things might snarl up, especially if other professional help is required...physiotherapists, dermatologists, rheumatologists, cardiologists, radiologists, respiratory or orthopedics, oncology, labs, pharmacy....and with an aging population, geriatric specialists too.

I am expecting to go back into hospital, and I do have allergies, and definitely have food preferences. I'm taking on board the snack meals idea. Himself and family and friends will visit though, and I know they'll bring me anything I find I need.
I found hospital food very simple, ample, could have done with more seasoning, but that's a personal thing, I like herbs, I like fresh greenery, I love fresh fruit, I'd rather have fruit than any cake, biscuit or sweetie.
It must be a nightmare trying to feed an entire hospital of people all with different needs, different likes.

@Woody girl
I hope you're home soon, with no stress, no hassle or hurt, and you never need to go back again

M

 

[Chris]

I find this horrific, and so totally not my experience. I'm not being a Pollyanna about this, just very honest.
I have been hospitalised and I have been the on-call/go to person/driver/visitor for two elderly relations.
None of us suffered this lack of decency let alone care.

I think the people are sound, I think that sometimes the structure needs attention.

My own treatment has involved four different health boards, and they all have different portals for access.
There is a patient based centralised 'file', but getting everyone involved in agreement, arranging appointments, scans, treatment, etc., is very much down to the organising and networking ability of the specialist nurses attached to the surgeons....and my GP has to be kept in the loop, and is the one to deal with day to day issues.

Imagine that multiplied right across the country, for every medical speciality and necessity, and it's fairly easy to see why things might snarl up, especially if other professional help is required...physiotherapists, dermatologists, rheumatologists, cardiologists, radiologists, respiratory or orthopedics, oncology, labs, pharmacy....and with an aging population, geriatric specialists too.

I am expecting to go back into hospital, and I do have allergies, and definitely have food preferences. I'm taking on board the snack meals idea. Himself and family and friends will visit though, and I know they'll bring me anything I find I need.
I found hospital food very simple, ample, could have done with more seasoning, but that's a personal thing, I like herbs, I like fresh greenery, I love fresh fruit, I'd rather have fruit than any cake, biscuit or sweetie.
It must be a nightmare trying to feed an entire hospital of people all with different needs, different likes.

@Woody girl
I hope you're home soon, with no stress, no hassle or hurt, and you never need to go back again

M

I think part of it is that it's a postcode lottery.

We had great care in Yorkshire and when I lived in Cambridgeshire it was also great, but here in Lincolnshire (and North Lincs) it has been utterly dreadful from GP to hospitals.

There are wonderful people working daily miracles throughout the NHS and some wards/services/surgeries/hospitals are fantastic, but there are some which are unforgivably poor. We can't wait to be out of North Lincolnshire again, as the state of the NHS here isn't the only sign of chronic underinvestment.

 

[Woody girl]

Thanks for the well wishes, I'm in here more precautionary than anything, and to be monitored.
I'm ready for home now, two nights, no sleep, and total boredom have been enough, still no sign of the doctor, and lunch is being served.
Fingers crossed.

 

[Pattree]

Wish you well.

My experience is limited but much like Toddy’s. I got very hungry but the food was OK. Treatment and respect have been excellent.

Shropshire has had a civil war going on between its two main hospitals for many years but Telford has an excellent reputation for day surgery. It’s mainly down to their anaesthetist team who understand the concept very well. This means that I have had very few stairs in hospital.

What would be the consequences if you were to discharge yourself on the grounds of your own distress at what you are seeing? (Or at least enquire about it - let someone know.). It’s having a very real effect on you at a time when you can least manage it.

Very best wishes for a prompt and satisfactory outcome.