Answering the door

[barb63]

This is my first post. I have quite severe copd and find walking, even short distances, quite a struggle. Recently I find I dread the doorbell ringing. I always try to get to the door but then am so breathless I struggle to speak. I wondered if anyone has any practical, maybe technical, suggestions. Any advice would be welcome.

[stone-UK]

Hi

Look for a door bell camera intercom. sample.

careco.co.uk/item-p-dl03003...

You can also add a electric door lock opener.

Have you enough room to place a chair by the door so you can remain seated.

[barb63 in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you. I will definitely look into it. I have a stool in the hallway, not quite at the front door. My main worry is feeling so vulnerable and I suppose embarrassed when I am so breathless.

[stone-UK in reply to barb63]

Hi

I have same problem, all visitors are by appointment, being on the first floor I can usually tell when they arrive giving me time to be at the door.

Parcels are tracked or I pay the extra for a specific time range.

All family have keys and like friends text before hand.

All others are ignored, if it’s important they leave a note.

[Hidden]

If you need to let others in you can always install a key safe. This is where a key is kept outside your door and only trusted people have the safe combination.

[barb63 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I will consider it.

[belzy]

I made a small sign sayin "please b patient i may take a time 2 get 2 door " + this has helped me x good luk my friend x dont rush + distress urself x they will jus hav 2 wait x belzy x💗👍💋🖤😍😎👽🔮💚🗿

[barb63 in reply to belzy]

That sounds a good idea. Thank you.

[music]

i think this site is so good and all the people on here are so helpfull and i have learned so much on here about my copd from you all.

Sometimes i may get a bit lazy and just sit or lay about the house doing nothing, and then i read some of the posts on here and think wow is this whats to come or lies ahead for me in the future with this copd.

So that gives me a kick up the back side to get out and go for a walk or swim while i am lucky enough to still be able to do them things.

I always get good information and adivce on here from everyone like.. Stone-UK.. and sometimes wonder how some of the people are who were on this site when i first started reading the posts from here

like still trucking and many others

but have been told by someone on this site that some of the people still put posts or replys on here but under differant names.

I know not everyone can but for me at the moment with my copd i find that exercise and keeping active and of course not smoking is the best thing to really slow the progrestion of this copd down

Good luck everyone

and love and best wishes

to you all

Music

[dall05]

I sit near a window that overlooks my front door and open the window for deliveries etc when they want a signature. I just ignore anyone who looks dodgy. I also have a B10 oxygen bottle near for an extra boost if I need to get to the door.

I quite like the idea of Stones intercom set up.

[barb63 in reply to dall05]

Thank you. I could perhaps sit nearer the window.

[2greys]

Unless you are expecting a delivery or a visitor then just ignore it, odds on it they that want something from you, for you to buy something or give them information/details for free as a survey. If it is that important they can drop a note through the door.

Same when the phone rings and it is not a number you recognise, just let it ring, answering it only lets them know it is a "live" number to sell on to others, who will then pester you for your money, ever had one of those silent calls, fishing for live numbers?

[barb63 in reply to 2greys]

Thanks. I also ignore strange phone numbers but I always try to answer the doorbell. I should learn to ignore that as well.

[skischool]

Mr 2 greys,you live just across the water from Angiecbr yet she lives in the enchanted forest full of fairies and pixies where everything has an element of wonder.yet you paint a picture of the man in the high castle(3 flights of stairs)hounded by charity bloggers and religious zealots and constantly battling abusive telephone calls from accident help lines,indeed a parallel universe.

My advise to Barb63 is take your time my love,if that person really wants to talk with you they will wait until you are ready to receive them,embarrassment is reserved for the person who finds it difficult to accept us how we are.Take heed of the technical and security tips you have been given but do not be put in fear of the outside world that we all need contact with.................love and best wishes skis and scruffy cat

[barb63 in reply to skischool]

Thanks for the advice.

[undine]

I used to have the same problem so put a notice on the door saying please have patience as I am disabled and will get there as soon as I can - only problem is you always feel you have to hurry even though you have the notice. Now I cannot get to the door so have a key safe for my carers, district nurse etc. However, as I also have parcels delivered etc. that I do not want to give out the key safe number to I usually tell the carers to leave the door unlocked - ok before you all say bad idea - I live in a cul de sac of bungalows with what I call curtain twitching neighbours - bless them - so not an area you would casually go around trying front doors on the off chance they were unlocked - also I have tied a chain with an old brass bell to the internal door handle so that if the door is opened the bell rings a few times with the momentum of the door - so I know when it is opening as I cannot unfortunately see from the window if someone is at the door. So when the doorbell rings I can call out for the person to come in as the door is unlocked. Maybe not the best but works ok for me. If I was not renting I would maybe have tried to have a security camera, intercom and a remote control lock on the door but as I rent I cannot. Anyway good luck whatever you decide.

[barb63 in reply to undine]

Thank you for your reply. I might consider leaving the door unlocked.

[undine in reply to barb63]

If you feel safe enough to leave the door unlocked that's fine but please make sure your area is a safe one would hate to advise you to do anything that would put you in danger - I also have a call button I wear around my neck which I only have to press and they will phone me, via a loudspeaker on a special box, so have also always thought if worse came to the worse and someone came in I didn't know, I would only have to press my button and not only could I alert someone, but the very fact that they would also hear the voice over the loudspeaker that in itself might scare them off. Anyway whatever good luck. xxx

[belzy in reply to barb63]

I leave my door on th latch 4 couple hours in mornin + my postman chucks parcels in 4 me + i sit where i can c aproach 2 my door + shout out 2 cold callers ""not interested thank u"coupled wiv my note on door most hawkers jus move on 2 nex house.i hav only had 1 continue 2 try + get me interested in his gardenin skills i shouted i would ring police + start screamin if he didnt leave !!!.......+ he did xxxx good luk my friend x belzy x🌹👍💗💚👽💙🔮🗿💋