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[GillyA]

My brother suffers from steadily worsening seizures, which unfortunately are not controlled. The council have agreed to replace his bath with a shower to help manage his falls risk. I’m rather concerned though as I think they made some incorrect assumptions about his financial circumstances and haven’t discussed money with him. Their website isn’t at all clear.

He’s lucky in that he lives in a local authority who tend to err on the slightly more flexible side for adult social services, so he may be ok. But does anyone know if this sort of adaptation could be done free despite some modest financial savings above the threshold that would count for care services? He’s in the obvious situation of this running out at some point, but it’s not a good idea to get things wrong as he’s likely to need increasing support. I don’t want to push him on this unnecessarily as his mental health isn’t great at the moment.

thanks in advance for any help out there

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

Hi im not to sure Usually it is free

But saying that it's been social housing

Maybe someone will come along I got walk in shower and stool etc

No cost discussed and was free this waa without a grant just an assessment no savings fee discussed

But not 100 % sure though

Theres a grant available as well

Is gray area

Hopefully it's free

If it was not

You woukd think they would discuss cost etc maybe

P.s off track

In under pension or on pip

These adaptions

Usually get you the care higher rate or good chance

[GillyA in reply to OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

Thanks for this response. His financial situation is better than you’d expect because of a legacy a few years ago which paid off his remaining mortgage and gave some savings (not a huge amount, but some). He’s really fortunate in this, but it’s made the whole benefits/care situation more complicated.

We managed to support him through getting PIP, although the living element is lower and mobility full. He found the whole process incredibly difficult and we are all reluctant to appeal because of the impact on him and the system is so brutal that he may end up worse off rather than better.

It all feels so difficult and my sister and I are caught between a system where he has to initiate/work with them, but really isn’t capable of doing so. Our help to try and stabilise things is impacting us and our relationship with him.

I accompanied him to a hospital visit last week, had an 300mile round trip to do so, and ended up in tears myself as I watched him have two seizures at the hospital and ended up in tears myself. One positive is that this was in front of the consultant who is now working harder to try to help him.

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA in reply to GillyA]

No good about the seizures Good consultant seen them

And working harder as well

I the long processes and hurdles

Can't be made easy for everyone

Fingers crossed even a grant is available for adaptions

The pip you are right

It's the small chance you could lose current award and all the stress

Best leaving going through all that for extra £30 a week

Hope it ll turns out OK for yous

[RR25]

Does your brother have a social worker and occupational therapist? If he does, the OT can assess and see what equipment he needs. This would be from the NHS.If he does not, ask his gp to refer him to social services and OT and take it from there.

Hope this helps.

[GillyA in reply to RR25]

The shower is coming through a council OT assessment. So far he’s refusing to engage with social services on care issues, although the consultant said she’d refer direct. Keep your fingers crossed for him, his life is pretty difficult at the moment

[wxy123]

You may be able to get help from Citizen's Advice or Turn2us. Good luck

[lgd333]

Citizens advice, Occupational therapy and GP referral will help. This was done for my shower ie rails and more.