Advice

[Miss1234]

Hi all I have been diagnosed with fybromyagel and I'm really struggling in my home with stairs I'm able to ask for a bungalow any advice would be appreciated.Thanks for reading .

[CM1EDSUK]

Hi - I'm not sure there's a question in there, such as can you ask for a bungalow? This obviously may be ideal for you, but if you're renting may take quite some time to find. Renting privately may be an option, but difficult if perhaps your sole income is benefits, so like many things it all depends, & you haven't given enough information to be able to advise.

It may be worth asking for a needs assessment, which you can request online: nhs.uk/conditions/social-ca...

Again unfortunately this can take some time, but an occupational therapist will visit you at home to see if they can put in place some measures to help you.

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to CM1EDSUK]

Hi, may I just add. If the OP is talking about getting a council bungalow. Age would be a factor and severity of disablement.

Also some councils will be willing to fit a stair lift to existing council homes that can not climb stairs.

[CM1EDSUK in reply to Dizzytwo]

Totally agree, & it can be difficult for someone to get their 'ideal' property; age may come into this, as some are only available to those over a certain age despite their disability.

As yet, I don't think there's enough info to advise, as mentioned, tho a needs assessment 'may' help with such as a stair lift as you rightly suggest. The waiting list to even get an OT out seem to be over 6 months as far as I've read recently.

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to CM1EDSUK]

Been someone who went through the process of getting a council bungalow I would just say please dont believe everything you may read.

10 years on I would also add I can totally understand council's as rule of thumb not letting bungalows to those under 60.

I was 56 and my neighbours were 70 up to 90. I am still the young kid on the block lol. Different generations. Different thoughts etc. Unless you have loads of friends or family it can become very isolating. Just a few thing to take into consideration. A bungalow is not for everyone. And the majority are no bigger than a rabbit hutch.

[CM1EDSUK in reply to Dizzytwo]

I'm unsure if you mean to keep replying to me. I don't think we're disagreeing, but you say, 'please don't believe everything you may read....'

Again I would say, as with everything, it all depends. I comment due to both trying to help a lady find suitable accomodation as a wheelchair user (she was also in her 50s), & reading about other people living in accomodation that has become unsuitable due to their disability, & the long wait it may now take to find somewhere, tho adapting their current home is a possibility.

I don't know if council bungalows are smaller than my residential Park Home, which is only 10 x 40 foot. Location, etc. of course matters, & I live only 6 homes away from my son in a wonderful community with lovely neighbours.

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to CM1EDSUK]

I was just giving another view point for those who may think moving into a bungalow may solve their problems. Sadly this is not always the case.

While I am happy you live in a lovely place with a nice family close by this may not apply to many looking to move.

When I said please dont believe everything you read. I simply meant not everything is so black and white.

You were correct I was not disagreeing with you. So sorry if you got that impression.

I know you like to give out a lot of information. All I was saying is reality can greatly differ from the information given out from different help lines. If that makes sense. And people should be aware so they wont be disappointed. I will leave it there 😊

[CM1EDSUK in reply to Dizzytwo]

Apologies for giving a lot of info (certainly not from any help lines). Anyway, easily remedied.

[Bolognese2022]

Hi Miss1234

If it’s your home you can apply for an assessment of your needs via social care for aids and adaptations. They will assess your needs and should advice you about a Disabled Facilities Grant to adapt your own home with something like a through lift or alterations to your home. It’s usually occupational therapists who do the assessments.

You can access information on line about the grant I mentioned.

Good luck

[1whitestar]

I have this trouble to. I have to rails I use to go up my stairs slowly. I have a grab rail for the bath. There were days I had to just stay up stairs with crutches to get about. If your housing association. I would call them thats what I did and also if you need a shower wet room they can help you just need a letter from the doctors. But may take time. I usually shower. But I am waiting for the bath to be taken out as I need a seat. The days I can not shower I just have to do a basin wash or just wait. Hope this helps .

[Debsdelight72]

Hi, Miss1234,

It would be lovely if we could all get a bungalow, people are living longer now and there is a huge shortage nationwide.

However there are other options,I live in a private rented house,I called my land lord (lovely man) He said yes to every thing we request within reason.Our bathroom is downstairs so i called the O.T, There visit was short,No to stair lift because they don't fit onto mini landing, corner thing incase I fall,(often)But they put a lot of rails up around and elephant feet under bed and fave chair.So after much scrimping and holiday money used we had it fitted ourselves Sit down and think ready for visit what would make your life a bit easier,

Would it be cost effective? Moving into a small bungalow or get a stair lift? (approx 1000)If your lucky to get a bungalow think of the size difference, You may not have enough room for all your furniture etc,To privately rent in my area the least I have seen is 750 a month for a 1 bed or 500 for a 2 bed ground floor flat (NW) Take a look on the estate agents sites and Zoopla,remember the council tax may go up. It just depends if you are on benefits or not and if you are social housing or other, You could got go on a waiting list It really just depends on your needs.I hope you get what you need,

Try not to let the process take over and get you downhearted.

Take care

Debs

[fmlife in reply to Debsdelight72]

they have lifts that travel through a square in floor advertised on telly, so if the sit down, motor down rail on stair type do not fit at least there be another option. i bet you ll would panic at this though when say can i put a hole in floor. stay safe xxx

[fmlife]

a stair lift may be easier to source than a bungalow, can apply for a disability grant to provide changes in home, perhaps talk to citizens advice, and also get assessed in home.

[Brianmurphy963]

The big things that made a difference with me and my living situation were, having a family with three kids, my physical ability and the housing association I rent from. The home I was living in didn't have a stair lift and occupational health said I needed one, it was cheaper for them to move me to a property with a stair lift than to put one in. They wouldn't let me have a bungalow because I was in my mid 20s and needed the extra room for the kids. There were others in worse condition than me that could use a bungalow too, at the time I wasnt in a wheelchair. Best thing to do is to get in touch with occupational health and the housing association and ask what they can do to help

[Midori]

I was lucky enough to be offered a bungalow (300 miles from home), and fortunately due to an inheritance I could afford it.

I was having stair trouble too, and the placement of doors in the house would not allow for a stairlift.

TBH, I'm not keen on through floor lifts, a few years ago a little girl got crushed to death by one as she was playing underneath and there was nothing to prevent her getting under it. It could also be a problem if there are any pets.

If you can get a letter from your doctor to take to the Council, stating how difficult you find it to manage stairs, you may be able to bid on a bungalow, but they are hard to find. In the mean time, ask the Council to recommend you to Occupational Therapists, (or your doctor could also refer you to them).

If you get PIP, you will also get help more easily.

Cheers, Midori

[fmlife in reply to Midori]

unfortunately have too be a certain age to get a bungalow even then they refuse the bid, then make the age higher next time, it does not matter if on any disability benefit. They always want you to stay where you are.

wow 300 miles well done that be a lot of stress to move your treasures. Its like a book read recently, your very inspiring👍

[Midori in reply to fmlife]

Most of my 'treasures' got left behind; when you move to a bungalow, you have to be ruthless, but I still have too much stuff! 😀

[Bacaloca]

My partner and I both have mobility problems, we lived in an upstairs flat so we had 11 stairs outside and 13 stairs inside to climb up. It got to the point that neither of us could leave the flat. We depended on other people to do everything for us. The council finally found us a bungalow after 5 years of living like this. Whereas my friend asked for a bungalow on health reasons and got one within 6 months. So I really don't know how the council lists work.