Housing

[Redjune1]

Does anyone have experience of moving to a council property because they can no longer stay in their own home?

We own our terraced house but it is very small. Recently I realised that we won’t be able to stay here much longer as Phil’s MSA worsens. Our bathroom is upstairs and we have no room to put another one in downstairs. Our rooms are small and not suitable for manouvering a wheelchair round. I think we need a bungalow or ground floor flat, but unfortunately, our house isn’t worth as much as a bungalow, even with the savings we’ve got. So the only alternative is to try and get a council property, housing association or similar. Also, I would like to move across the country to be nearer my daughter and Phil’s sister as we don’t have any family here , but don’t know if that’s possible.

At the moment we are managing, but I know the time will come when Phil will need a wheelchair and I want to be prepared.

[Janeyl]

I would recommend getting an assessment of your husband’s needs from your local adult social services. That will also flag you up as a carer.

[Redjune1 in reply to Janeyl]

We are still waiting for him to be assessed, it should be within the next month.

[Courgettegrower]

I cannot give you any information but I wish you well. With love, Jenny

[Paul_and_Sue_Wood]

Hi

Sue and I had a similar dilemma in that the property we owned wasn't suitable as sue needed a hospital bed.

As we were both mature we could not afford an increase in mortgage so do we sell and rent?

I decided to rent a bungalow and rent out our property to cover most of the costs.

Then I spent 3 months trying to find the property I wanted. But remember that a landlord wants to make sure that you can afford the rent, like you will do also.

Council grants are available via social services and occupational therapists to adapt existing properties although each council seems to have their own rules.

Hope this helps.

Paul

[Hidden]

Hello sorry I don't, but I would get your daughter to start making enquiries with her local authority about eligibility, in case there is a waiting list that you should get on. Or even if she has a local carers centre they might be able to give tips about approaching the housing department. It might be a question of first moving to a rented house near them, even if it is not suitable, because it may be that you have to reside in the area already for the authority to start helping you. Kx

[Redjune1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I hadn’t thought of doing that. It’s a good idea.

[Hidden in reply to Redjune1]

No worries, it's great that you are thinking ahead. I think the important thing to stress with the authorities who may not have heard of the condition, is that it is much more rapidly progressive than Parkinson's for example, and they need to act in a timely manner. They need to know that you may require ongoing support from a community occupational therapist, as symptoms change. And that if it's your husband's wish to be cared for at home as he progresses, that this can be possible with good support. X

[Diane831]

Have you joined the MSA trust. The social welfare officer, Jane (or Sam, Jane is retiring ) will talk to you about this situation and I am sure that they would be able to help you understand the issues.msatrust.org.uk/support-for...

We were fortunate that we have a house with enough space for a through floor lift and could manage without moving, I don’t envy you but you are certainly doing the right thing thinking about it sooner rather than later.

Diane

[Redjune1 in reply to Diane831]

Yes I’ve joined the MSA trust and will definitely get in touch with the social welfare officer. I didn’t know about them, thank you for letting me know