Care needs assessment

[Marie__ALUK]

Here at the helpline, we have been speaking to a number of callers over the last few days who have been having problems with various aspects of their care needs.

Many of our callers are struggling with their personal care due to breathlessness and exhaustion and are finding it difficult to manage the simplest of tasks at home such as getting washed or dressed.

Some of our callers are also having trouble getting upstairs or using their shower or bath.

If you are struggling with any aspects of your care, please get in touch with us at the helpline on 03000 030 555 for further advice.

Thank you.

[O2Trees]

Very thoughtful Marie, thanks

[onamission]

I struggle with the shower and dressing spend most of the time sitting on the loo getting my breath in-between getting dressed I now have a towel robe I use instead of a towel.

[Marie__ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation in reply to onamission]

Hi onamission, thank you for your reply.

Do you find that the steam from the shower makes you breathless or is it something else?

You can always ring me on the helpline on 03000 030 555 if you need any advice.

Many thanks,

Marie

[jimmy1c in reply to Marie__ALUK]

Hi I have been keeping well recently but I still get breathless bathing. I think it is psychological because it happened previously it is sure to happen again. I too find a robe beneficial

Jimmy1c

[Marie__ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation in reply to jimmy1c]

Hi jimm1c,

thank you for your reply.

If you need any advice on a bathing assessment you can call us on the helpline.

Kindest wishes,

Marie

[onamission in reply to Marie__ALUK]

I find its the steam mostly even though our shower cubicle is fitted with a extractor fan

Thank you for your reply and I will copy the post so I always have it to hand

[Nottobad in reply to onamission]

I have a bath seat in my bath and I use it when having a shower I also have a towel robe. Being out of breathe when doing things is normal. I also have a stool to sit on when doing washing up and ironing

[Marie__ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation in reply to Nottobad]

Thanks for your reply Nottobad.

Did you have an assessment from social services for the equipment in your home or did you purchase them privately?

Kindest wishes,

Marie

[Nottobad in reply to Marie__ALUK]

Hi Marie I bought the things myselfe. I also have a 3 wheeled walking aid witch I got from the physio at the PR classes I attended

[Marie__ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation in reply to Nottobad]

Do you think you would benefit from an assessment to see if you could have any more equipment put in place Nottobad?

[Nottobad in reply to Marie__ALUK]

I think I have every thing I need at the moment. If not I just have to phone my community resp team

[onamission in reply to Nottobad]

Hi nottobad the towel rob is a great help I also have lower back problems so bending is out for me I take a robe when I go swimming fantastic things

[Nottobad in reply to onamission]

Hi onamission. Yes they are a great help. I also sit on my bed to get dressed. I also have bad arthritis in most if my joints. So the things I have to help me helps with both my copd and arthritis

[katieoxo60]

Thank you for your suggestion and the helpline number, many of us who struggle at home are not entitled to care help at home only if we arrange it ourselves. I am a regiatered disabled person with the local council but even when discharged from hospital following an operation no assistance at home was given even though it was less than 24 hours after an anaesthetic, I even had to walk to my GPs to get antibiotics for water infection due to poor care at the hospital. However I do have bath aids, plus other items to reduce the effort required including a self purchased stair lift, adapted pans,knives infact many items to assist independent living which is fine in theory but not in practice . I.E how do you change a light bulb to see what you are doing ? Personal care does not cover the basics of independent living I can't even open a medicine bottle without some gadget, so realise how others feel.

.

[Marie__ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation in reply to katieoxo60]

Hi katieoxo60,

Thank you for your reply.

I am sorry to hear about your bad experience with the hospital, unfortunately I have heard stories like yours before.

Local authorities have a duty of care to assess people for any help they may need at home, such as help with personal care needs or adaptations and a financial assessment should take place to determine how much the care should cost.

Some councils have a "handy person" service which for a small fee, can carry out small jobs such as fixing things in the home, to gardening and fitting smoke alarms.

Age UK have a handy person service and have good information about the services they provide - please see the link here:-

ageuk.org.uk/home-and-care/...

I hope this information is useful but if you need any help, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Kindest wishes,

Marie

[katieoxo60 in reply to Marie__ALUK]

Thank you Marie, I am aware of Age Uks services as I am a volunteer in my home town so am governed by local council and Age Uk but was not aware of a council service too. So now I have learn't something new to help others .

[Marie__ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation in reply to katieoxo60]

No problem,

Glad I could help Katieoxo60.

Kindest wishes,

Marie

[Snatam]

Thanks Marie

[Snatam]

Thanks Marie.

I decided to call out my gp yesterday and they reluctantly agreed to put me on another course of antibiotics for 5 days.

It’s very helpful to know that you have a number to call.

It’s also great that you do singing groups.

I will be in touch soon as I’m well enough to talk.

X

[Marie__ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation in reply to Snatam]

Thanks Snatam,

Glad to hear that you are doing ok.

Please do call us on 03000 030 555 if you need any help.

Take care,

Marie

[wheezyof]

I'm lucky that my husband is now my carer.

He is really good, doing all the housework, cooking, laundry and most of the shopping. He reaches for anything higher than my shoulder height - as a tall person I find it odd not being able to get things for myself!

He helps me in and out of the shower, hair washing and washing/drying my feet.

I have my toe nails cut by Age Concern. A great service for over 55's. £16 every 6 weeks.

Before this I was at a consultant appointment. He did his usual glance at me, said how I looked well. I told him how difficult life was getting. I related how stairs and slopes were my Nemesis. His expert advice? Take it easy on the stairs.

I now use a wheeled walking frame with a seat when out of my home. Invaluable for taking the weight of light shopping, handbag etc and for sitting for breathing breaks.

I wish I'd known sooner how easy it was to get my husband as my named carer. Carer's allowance is a pittance but before we claimed he was doing it for nothing.

[Marie__ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation in reply to wheezyof]

Hello wheezyof,

Thank you for your reply.

I am so happy that you have adaptations in place and are more independent in your home now.

Carers play a big part in looking after someone and the pay is never equal to the care they provide but I am glad your husband is now claiming an allowance for helping you.

A lot of people with respiratory conditions struggle with stairs and it can appear as a mountain to some but adaptations like a stair lift or even bannisters on both side can be a great help.

The only problem is it can take a while for a large adaptation to be put in place as it involves a big cost through the disabled facilities grant, but it depends on the council and what availability they have.

If you need any help please don't hesitate to get in touch with me and I will be happy to help you.

Take care,

Marie