Disabled living
Discussion
As my wife is now unable to manage the stairs we are looking for a bungalow but with a wet room, as getting in and out of a bath is extremely difficult, none of the normal property search companies has any adapted bungalows.
So does anyone know of an alternative or can point me in the right direction, Local Authority too busy helping others to be worried about my wife and I who are indigenous and I am in employment.
We could probably afford to have a bungalow converted but we would then have to convert it back when we leave unless we could get a very long term let but the agents only go year on year!
We just want somewhere to settle down in our twilight!
So does anyone know of an alternative or can point me in the right direction, Local Authority too busy helping others to be worried about my wife and I who are indigenous and I am in employment.
We could probably afford to have a bungalow converted but we would then have to convert it back when we leave unless we could get a very long term let but the agents only go year on year!
We just want somewhere to settle down in our twilight!
Well, there's this: http://accessible-property.org.uk/start.htm
Does your missus want/prefer a shower, over eg a bath with a lifting seat to help her in and out or similar? Or a proper shower stool in an ordinary shower cubicle, along with a grab rail or 3?
Renting can be a real problem when you need bigger "adaptations" (which is what a true wetroom will generally be seen as) - keep looking by all means but if there is a way to make it possible for her to safely and comfortably use the bath or a regular shower (obviously I don't know her impairment, what she needs now and whether that might change in the future), then use it if you can.
All the very best of luck.
Does your missus want/prefer a shower, over eg a bath with a lifting seat to help her in and out or similar? Or a proper shower stool in an ordinary shower cubicle, along with a grab rail or 3?
Renting can be a real problem when you need bigger "adaptations" (which is what a true wetroom will generally be seen as) - keep looking by all means but if there is a way to make it possible for her to safely and comfortably use the bath or a regular shower (obviously I don't know her impairment, what she needs now and whether that might change in the future), then use it if you can.
All the very best of luck.
I'm slowly getting less mobile, and recognised some time ago that I'd be better off in a bungalow, so made the move....
It really did give me a health boost.... Not having to climb stairs etc....
Anywho, I'm literally in the process of converting my bog standard bathroom... You know the sort, toilet, sink and bath in one smallish room, into a wet room.... Finally I'll have all I need to make life easier...
I planned it all out myself, and sourced my own materials.... And one thing I learned is, that I don't have to pay VAT on the conversion.... Well worth bearing in mind..
Also consider a "comfort" toilet, higher than normal and easier to get on and off... I've also gone for a built in seat in the shower area..
Check out the net, and look for DOC M specs.. This will help with ideas of what's available, and costs etc...
It really did give me a health boost.... Not having to climb stairs etc....
Anywho, I'm literally in the process of converting my bog standard bathroom... You know the sort, toilet, sink and bath in one smallish room, into a wet room.... Finally I'll have all I need to make life easier...
I planned it all out myself, and sourced my own materials.... And one thing I learned is, that I don't have to pay VAT on the conversion.... Well worth bearing in mind..
Also consider a "comfort" toilet, higher than normal and easier to get on and off... I've also gone for a built in seat in the shower area..
Check out the net, and look for DOC M specs.. This will help with ideas of what's available, and costs etc...
We're moving to a bungalow later this month as I'm having problems with the stairs now.
Something a couple of "experts" have pointed out is that once a home is made disabled frieindly, people tend to stay for a long time and so they don't come on the market very often.
I imagine the rental market for an available disabled friendly home is virtually non existant.
Some of the suggestions like a raised toilet, a few hand rails and a fold down seat in the shower have made the world of difference to me.
Don't expect much help financially though without a fight for it.
Something a couple of "experts" have pointed out is that once a home is made disabled frieindly, people tend to stay for a long time and so they don't come on the market very often.
I imagine the rental market for an available disabled friendly home is virtually non existant.
Some of the suggestions like a raised toilet, a few hand rails and a fold down seat in the shower have made the world of difference to me.
Don't expect much help financially though without a fight for it.
Edited by stuartmmcfc on Monday 7th October 20:15
Our holiday let is disabled access / wheelchair friendly and it always amazes us how few other holiday lets even think about this. We were told by visit England that at any time up to 12% of the uk population is disabled to some extent. And a lot if our guests take photos of our facilities and send them back home to their plumbers saying please build us one of these!
Bolebroke said:
Our holiday let is disabled access / wheelchair friendly and it always amazes us how few other holiday lets even think about this. We were told by visit England that at any time up to 12% of the uk population is disabled to some extent. And a lot if our guests take photos of our facilities and send them back home to their plumbers saying please build us one of these!
I wish there were more like you! Cos it's not just that 12% either it's that we want to go on holiday with our parents, kids, 91 year old Zimmer-frame-using grandmas and everyone else. When I was a nipper the family used to go on holiday en masse, within the UK - anywhere between 12 and 20 of us. That stopped when my grandpa couldn't manage stairs any more with advancing Alzheimers and Parkinson's disease. Have a look at http://www.chuc.org.uk/ - I can't encourage you enough to consider putting a ceiling hoist in next time you're doing work as there are a huge number of people who just don't GET to go on holiday because those facilities aren't there... portable hoists exist but aren't easy to use, can be unsafe for people with some conditions and require at least one physically very strong caregiver.
My wife has MS and this year it has ben really bad (as opposed to the normal bad!)
As a result of contacting the local MS Society, we contacted the local Social Services for the first time this year and they have been BRILLIANT. I mean it only took us 15 years
We now have an Occupational Therapist who has been around and done a site survey. As a result they have fitted several handrails around the house. They have also supplied several gizmo's and gadgets to help when times are bad (kettle pourer; large handled cutlery; jar opener; sock putter on-er; plus several other items). They also supplied a stool for the kitchen and another for the shower but these didnt work for Mrs O so they took them back, no bother.
We also managed to get on the physiotherapy list and she is having that now.
She is getting assessed for a wheelchair next week and we are looking at having a shower converted to a wetroom. This will be funded by us probably as it is means tested.
I suppose where I am going with this is that I have learned 2 things from this:
1) Contact your local branch of whatever disability is the issue. They will know who to speak to; telephone numbers that you/I would struggle to locate; and may be able to offer some assistance (financially or otherwise)
2) Contact Social Services as they exist to do all these things I mention and have been really great
We only moved a year ago and couldnt find a bungalow for love nor money so had to move into a 2 storey property. These adaptations are helping plus we will be getting a stair lift installed in Nov (again paid for by ourselves although the MS Society do give grants).
PS As a thankyou for the MS Society' s help Im doing a collection for a couple of hours next Weds at Tesco in Cirencester if anyones around and wants to throw a few coppers in the bucket
Best of luck OP
As a result of contacting the local MS Society, we contacted the local Social Services for the first time this year and they have been BRILLIANT. I mean it only took us 15 years
We now have an Occupational Therapist who has been around and done a site survey. As a result they have fitted several handrails around the house. They have also supplied several gizmo's and gadgets to help when times are bad (kettle pourer; large handled cutlery; jar opener; sock putter on-er; plus several other items). They also supplied a stool for the kitchen and another for the shower but these didnt work for Mrs O so they took them back, no bother.
We also managed to get on the physiotherapy list and she is having that now.
She is getting assessed for a wheelchair next week and we are looking at having a shower converted to a wetroom. This will be funded by us probably as it is means tested.
I suppose where I am going with this is that I have learned 2 things from this:
1) Contact your local branch of whatever disability is the issue. They will know who to speak to; telephone numbers that you/I would struggle to locate; and may be able to offer some assistance (financially or otherwise)
2) Contact Social Services as they exist to do all these things I mention and have been really great
We only moved a year ago and couldnt find a bungalow for love nor money so had to move into a 2 storey property. These adaptations are helping plus we will be getting a stair lift installed in Nov (again paid for by ourselves although the MS Society do give grants).
PS As a thankyou for the MS Society' s help Im doing a collection for a couple of hours next Weds at Tesco in Cirencester if anyones around and wants to throw a few coppers in the bucket
Best of luck OP
oblio said:
My wife has MS and this year it has ben really bad (as opposed to the normal bad!)
As a result of contacting the local MS Society, we contacted the local Social Services for the first time this year and they have been BRILLIANT. I mean it only took us 15 years
We now have an Occupational Therapist who has been around and done a site survey. As a result they have fitted several handrails around the house. They have also supplied several gizmo's and gadgets to help when times are bad (kettle pourer; large handled cutlery; jar opener; sock putter on-er; plus several other items). They also supplied a stool for the kitchen and another for the shower but these didnt work for Mrs O so they took them back, no bother.
We also managed to get on the physiotherapy list and she is having that now.
She is getting assessed for a wheelchair next week and we are looking at having a shower converted to a wetroom. This will be funded by us probably as it is means tested.
I suppose where I am going with this is that I have learned 2 things from this:
1) Contact your local branch of whatever disability is the issue. They will know who to speak to; telephone numbers that you/I would struggle to locate; and may be able to offer some assistance (financially or otherwise)
2) Contact Social Services as they exist to do all these things I mention and have been really great
We only moved a year ago and couldnt find a bungalow for love nor money so had to move into a 2 storey property. These adaptations are helping plus we will be getting a stair lift installed in Nov (again paid for by ourselves although the MS Society do give grants).
PS As a thankyou for the MS Society' s help Im doing a collection for a couple of hours next Weds at Tesco in Cirencester if anyones around and wants to throw a few coppers in the bucket
Best of luck OP
I'd agree with this but add that in my case my MS nurse set the ball rolling with OT, Social Services etcAs a result of contacting the local MS Society, we contacted the local Social Services for the first time this year and they have been BRILLIANT. I mean it only took us 15 years
We now have an Occupational Therapist who has been around and done a site survey. As a result they have fitted several handrails around the house. They have also supplied several gizmo's and gadgets to help when times are bad (kettle pourer; large handled cutlery; jar opener; sock putter on-er; plus several other items). They also supplied a stool for the kitchen and another for the shower but these didnt work for Mrs O so they took them back, no bother.
We also managed to get on the physiotherapy list and she is having that now.
She is getting assessed for a wheelchair next week and we are looking at having a shower converted to a wetroom. This will be funded by us probably as it is means tested.
I suppose where I am going with this is that I have learned 2 things from this:
1) Contact your local branch of whatever disability is the issue. They will know who to speak to; telephone numbers that you/I would struggle to locate; and may be able to offer some assistance (financially or otherwise)
2) Contact Social Services as they exist to do all these things I mention and have been really great
We only moved a year ago and couldnt find a bungalow for love nor money so had to move into a 2 storey property. These adaptations are helping plus we will be getting a stair lift installed in Nov (again paid for by ourselves although the MS Society do give grants).
PS As a thankyou for the MS Society' s help Im doing a collection for a couple of hours next Weds at Tesco in Cirencester if anyones around and wants to throw a few coppers in the bucket
Best of luck OP
Plenty of help out there as long as you're prepared to take the first step yourself (no pun intended
) and ask for help.A lot of things are means tested but tbh that's not a problem, to a certain extent, as I'd feel guilty taking something I could pay for myself, there's only so much money in the pot and there's far more deserving than me!
Edited by stuartmmcfc on Wednesday 9th October 17:49
BlackVanDyke said:
Well, there's this: http://accessible-property.org.uk/start.htm
Does your missus want/prefer a shower, over eg a bath with a lifting seat to help her in and out or similar? Or a proper shower stool in an ordinary shower cubicle, along with a grab rail or 3?...
It's certainly worth giving thought to what would work best (with an OT) for eg a wet room may be real hazard if you're walking badly.Does your missus want/prefer a shower, over eg a bath with a lifting seat to help her in and out or similar? Or a proper shower stool in an ordinary shower cubicle, along with a grab rail or 3?...
I don't know if it's been superceded, but since 2009, local authorities (and pub sec generally) have been required to promote the issues affecting disabled people - even if that means achieving equality by more favourable treatment. Read up a bit on it and try your local council again, and then local councillor if that fails.
A quick Google found this advice to local authoities which will give you the gist (though there's more detailed info to be found, I'm sure)
http://www.sheffieldccg.nhs.uk/Downloads/Equality%...
I'd agree about your relevant health charity but if you don't get far, also try the CAB, or even http://www.spinal.co.uk/ who, being a large organisation now and well used to this sort of issue, would most likely be able to help.
O/t agree entirely about holiday accommodation. It makes economic sense, esp in the context of an ageing population, how many older folk would be able to access your services and more likely to come back. Likewise shops.
daveparry said:
We live in rented so having adaptations done is not easy i.e a stairlift would simply not fit as we live in a small terraced house.
Taking the rented problem out of the equation, have you investigated the stairlift situation fully?When I looked into it, I seem to remember there were options to accommodate narrow stairways available
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