The lightbulb I dread has just blown. The one that means I have to balance on a stool at the top of the stairs to replace.
I had enough trouble just reaching the circuit breakers. Every time so much as a lightbulb blows, the breakers trip. The breaker box is mounted to high for me to reach, without climbing up on the stool, so there I am, plunged into darkness, and have to start climbing around, even to reset the trip. Replacing the bulb is another matter. Can’t do it tonight now anyway, as I’ll have to wait for daylight tomorrow.
But I feel I’m reaching the point where I won’t be able do the bulbs any more, or even reset the breakers. What happens then? I have no-one to ask - I can’t keep rushing to a neighbour every time a bulb goes.
I’ve looked at those “grabber” things, but can anyone assure me they really work? I can’t see how they would, as my lights are all bayonet fittings, which meand you have to push up, AND turn, both at the same time. I find this pretty difficult, even with the use of both hands. How is it possible with a one-handed “grabber”? The light fitting’s on a flexible pendant, so if I push up, without being able to steady it with the other hand, the whole thing will move, but not the bulb relative to the fitting.
How do other solo-dwellers manage stuff like this?
A short practical response to a much wider question, but an easy win: get the consumer unit resited so you can reach it. The modern fashion for trip switches that open the circuit when you look at them sideways is all well and good, but the safety benefits look a bit theoretical when people are risking breaking limbs when they wobble about on stools to close the switch in the dark.
Tina I’m sure no one would mind you calling on them for help, don’t be stubborn by trying to do it yourself it’s not worth it. I don’t think the grabber would be much use for helping you with the lightbulb. And as Alison said could you not get the circuit board re sited? Also have you tried the energy saving bulbs instead of the normal ones? They last absolutley ages, I’ve had some in almost 8 years now. Sue x
I’m not being funny, but I literally don’t know anyone to call on for help. I don’t ‘NOT’ get on with the neighbours - we exchange cards at Christmas, and the usual pleasantries in the street, but we don’t go round one another’s houses - ever. Not that kind of relationship.
Yes, I think the circuit board does need re-siting. They do flip if you so much as look at them sideways. I don’t think they’ve ever tripped in response to a genuine emergency, because luckily, there’s never been one - but just every time there’s a dud bulb.
As the bulb typically blows when you go to switch on, because it’s getting dark, then yes, it always ends with having to climb up in the dark. Or trying to poke it with a broom handle, but that’s tricky as well, because the box has got a protective flap over it, so you can’t flick the switches without lifting it.
It’s too dangerous to do it yourself Tina. If you really don’t think you can ask a favour of a neighbour ( & tbh, I bet if you could just pluck up the courage they would be pleased to help you) then call a handy man around - do you have a parish magazine or something you could look someone up in?
And on a practical note, to avoid similar situation arising in future, replace it with an LED bulb. They cost a bit more but last for 25 years so problem solved.
Tina, I sympathise, it’s a long time since I attempted a job like that, 1. My balance is too poor to stand on anything and 2. I’m not sure anyone would trust me to undertake even a simpe job involving electricity, like changing a light bulb. You could get a local electrician to move the circuit board. If you get a good local electrician and explain how much difficulty you have changing these light bulbs, it is possible that they might come in to change the light bubs for you (free of charge) when they need done. Not a great solution I know, must admit I wonder what old people and people on their own do. You could try energy saving bulbs, although must admit mine never seem to last that long. A bit wasteful, I know, but when one goes you could change them all , so the job won’t need done for a while again. This might work well if you get someone to change them for you. This is what we do in our office. No much help really, can’t think of anything else, sorry. Cheryl:-)
Tina, I sympathise, it’s a long time since I attempted a job like that, 1. My balance is too poor to stand on anything and 2. I’m not sure anyone would trust me to undertake even a simpe job involving electricity, like changing a light bulb. You could get a local electrician to move the circuit board. If you get a good local electrician and explain how much difficulty you have changing these light bulbs, it is possible that they might come in to change the light bubs for you (free of charge) when they need done. Not a great solution I know, must admit I wonder what old people and people on their own do. You could try energy saving bulbs, although must admit mine never seem to last that long. A bit wasteful, I know, but when one goes you could change them all , so the job won’t need done for a while again. This might work well if you get someone to change them for you. This is what we do in our office. No much help really, can’t think of anything else, sorry. Cheryl:-)
I have similar problems with things at the top of the stairs. I’ve had to ask for help decorating there before and I don’t like asking for help. I normally do EVERYTHING in the house.
I used to have problems with all the ceiling light fittings because it’s the old two hand problem and we need to balance with one hand. I did find some things easier with a small step ladder rather than a stool. For some reason it seems more stable and things are easier for me if I can stand against something which feels safe. At least with my step ladder I can hold onto it with a hand as well if one is free, as the rail on it is at the right height.
The light on the stairs is always a problem though. I’ve had a few ‘near death’ experiences there and now I just leave it alone. I have nearly killed myself in every room in my house, but against the odds, I live!
I wonder if a screw bulb might be easier? I am considering a change because those bayonets are not easy.
I think HKFooey is quite right. People do not (in my limited experience) mind in the least when asked to help out when someone is struggling. It is quite likely that your neighbours would be rather pleased to have a chance ot help out without too much inconvenience to them!
Sorry folks, but I still don’t think neighbours are the answer. I don’t feel comfortable with it, and if I don’t, it doesn’t make a jot of difference whether they’re willing or not. I’ve got to feel OK about it - which at the moment I don’t.
The bulbs don’t blow very often - that particular one has probably been there at least a couple of years. But MS being what it is, every time it goes again, I’m just a little bit more doddery than last time I tried it.
I say a stool - I don’t know how best to describe it. It’s sort of halfway between a stool and a step ladder. A stool with a couple of small steps, if that makes sense? There’s probably a name for them, but I don’t know what it is. It doesn’t have handrails, but those are probably redundant anyway, if you need both hands to change the lamp. I can see myself ending up with no overhead pendant lighting, and everything replaced with floor lamps, table lamps, or even stick-ups - all of which I could reach.
I had another look at “grabbers”, but have yet to find one that does bayonets. Some of them proadly boast: “Suitable for most types of light fitting!”, but then have in small print: “except bayonet”.
There also seems to exist some kind of magnetic light-fitting adaptor, which would be a pain to fit initially (similar job to changing all the bulbs), but thereafter lets you stick the bulbs up there with a grabber, to connect magnetically. The one I saw was out-of-stock, though, and I was a bit wary about whether it’s safety-approved. I’d probably need more info and testimonials, before I’d buy a gadget like that. But if it was safe and it worked, it could be an alternative to relying on neighbours. I’ll keep my eyes peeled, and if I find anything that helps, will post again. I can’t be the only person living on my own, who prefers not to have the neighbours doing it.
Please make sure you buy a lamp for the top of the stairs so you at least have light until it’s sorted.mind you if you had lamps like me would you need to bother with the light anyway?
I think top of the stairs is the one place it couldn’t be replaced by a lamp, because obviously you can’t have any sort of obstruction there. The only way would be to have some sort of spotlight or even a stick-up lamp, mounted lower on the wall, where I could actually reach it.
In the short term (i.e. when a bulb has just gone, but before it’s practical to replace it), it is possible to get round the lack of light on the stairs, by remembering to leave the bathroom and/or bedroom lights on. And it matters little, as long as the downstairs hall light is on, as that casts enough light for the stairs. It’s only really the last trip upstairs, at bed time, that causes any problem, because at that point, you don’t want to leave the hall light on. That’s where remembering to leave a light or two on upstairs comes into play, because you haven’t got the benefit of the two-way switch (brilliant invention, but such a pain when you can’t use it).
I get so frustrated with not being able to fix the most trivial of things. Some people have a family member they can turn to, but my dad, sadly, is no longer with us (wasn’t nearby anyway), and my brother lives miles away. Even my mum fares better than I do, because she has a builder/handyman type person directly across the road, and they’ve known each other nearly 50 years. But he’s an old boy now too, of course, so what she’ll do if he can’t do it any more, I don’t know. She’ll have a problem with lightbulbs and odd-jobs, too.
l use a stick to re-set the trip - why they put them so high up? - Another tip - l have plug-in nightlights that come on automatically as soon as it is dusk. l have put two on the upstairs landing. They are enough for me to be able to see to get to the stairs/bathroom.
And l have some battery run led lights that stick on to the wall/woodwork in case of power-failure. l use rechargable batteries. They are very small and not obtrusive. Some in the kitchen/loo/hall/stairs. They are handy to put in cupboards/wardrobes where you might need extra light.
Ive looked at your profile and sorry you are nowhere near me or I would have come and done it for you.
Shame there isn’t a section on here where people could put things they can still do and are willing to help others with and then we could be a holistic support team.
Thank you, that’s very sweet Pip, but I’d certainly hesitate to ask a fellow MSer to do tasks I struggle with myself!
To look at, I’m probably one of the more able-bodied among us, but there are some tasks that are definitely a problem, even though they’re not always the ones that are the most obviously demanding.
I was only thinking the other day, that bizarrely, probably one of my biggest challenges since diagnosis was attending a cocktail party! It wouldn’t be something most people would even think of as particularly demanding, but it has all the elements: you don’t sit down, you are expected to STAND there - possibly for hours. You don’t put down your drink or plate, you’re expected to BALANCE them in your hands - again, potentially for hours. And finally, you’re expected to manage all this whilst talking to people - in a supposedly entertaining way - without looking at your watch, or having an expression that reveals you’re tired or in pain.
I thought a party was supposed to be a nice thing - I don’t know when it ever got so hard.
You forgot to add…talk to people even though you can’t remember their name and where you know them from,keep track of what you are talking about,especially when the key words evade you.
Walk without looking like you haven’t been drinking all day.
Convince people that despite going to the loo every 10mins and being ages that you haven’t go norovirus…need I go on!!
For un-tripping the trip switch try two sticks - one to hold the flappy bit up and the other to do the untripping. I find the handle very useful for dragging things on shelves in supermarket into easy reach.
Thanks, I did manage to change the bulb in the end, but I had to go for a lie-down afterwards! I was not only sweating about the balance, but got a cramp in my back from overreaching.
I’ve already got an application form for those people. I have at least fourteen jobs I want to put on it, but I’m sure it’s greedy to ask for - and expect to get - more than two or three, so I’m going to have to whittle it down to top three.
Either that, or list all of them, but add a polite note saying I really don’t expect all of them, but please any that they fancy.
I really do admire you for even trying to change the lightbulb.
I hate having to do it. The twisty bit is worse than the getting onto the step stool thingy. I was so pleased with myself realising I could use a stick to deal with the trip switch. The joys of living on your own. Which I did before I was diagnosed and didn’t have the baggage that goes with it.
I am pleased that I have Martin to help me. Though he doesn’t like ladders and lightbulb changing either.
If you get help from the place in Thronbury let me know - I’ve been putting off contacting them. I really don’t want to need them. But I do. But I can’t face it!