Occupational therapist

[Betsy50]

Happy easter everyone hope you are well today. Has anyone had a walk in shower put in through an occupational therapist and did you pay for it ? My hip slightly better doing physiotherapy but gp said it's going to take some time to heal I'm struggling getting over bath into shower any feed back be appreciated

[Bevvy]

Contact your local social services and ask for an assessment of need. You may be contacted by a community care worker first which is common practice in most local authorities these days. They will initially look at other options first such as Bath board, grab rails and so on. Even a Bath lift might be viable.

To be honest it is doubtful they will consider a long term solution such as a walk in shower for an injury that is not permanent.

With regards paying it depends on how much you have in savings but like I say to carry out such a major adaptation they will first try other options and am doubtful they will consider unless significant permanent damage.

Of course there is nothing to prevent you pursuing this privately.

[Betsy50 in reply to Bevvy]

Hi bevy thanks for the reply. I have long term chronic pain had back surgery and recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia so it has bern a struggle but obviously the hip not helping

[Bevvy in reply to Betsy50]

Ahh ok. Then worth pursuing via social services BUT they won’t consider a walk in shower as first option but will consider less expensive and less intrusive options first.

[Hellytheelephant]

Hi Betsy, yes we had our whole bathroom turned into a wetroom- all organised by our OT. We had a grant for the whole cost. I imagine that this will vary depending on where you are. I was under 50 when we had it done, and this might have been a factor.

Happy to answer questions if you want to message me.

[Betsy50 in reply to Hellytheelephant]

Hi hellytheelephant thanks for the reply. I've been given aids from occupational therapist at hospital through rheumatologist who diagnosed me with fibromyalgia plus had back surgery in 1999 suffered chronic pain ever since. How do you get the grant ? I had back surgery aged 29 I'm now 52

[Betsy50 in reply to Betsy50]

Ment to say community occupational therapist coming to see me tmz

[Hellytheelephant in reply to Betsy50]

You need to ask your GP to refer you for an Occupational Therapist home visit. Tell the GP that you are really struggling to bathe because of the pain you are in. The OT will ask you about daily living tasks you are having a problem with. We had tried and failed with several different options that they had lent us, before we got the grant.

I am 54 now and was 50 ish when it was done. They did ask us if we had any plans to move before we had it done- obviously it is a costly process, and they won't do that unless it's your forever- home.

[Betsy50 in reply to Hellytheelephant]

Hi okay so I'm at that point tmz did they ask if you had savings ?

[Hellytheelephant in reply to Betsy50]

No, it wasn't means tested- I don't know if that's different in different parts of the country. I hope the OT is helpful tomorrow x

[Hellytheelephant]

Forgot to say that there are loads of aids that can help around the house and with bathing.

[Nanny23]

I had a hip replacement in September 2020. In the beginning I put a chair in the tub. With physical therapy I improved quickly. I’m 72 years old. The more I walked the better I felt. Wish you fast heeling. Feel better.

[Betsy50 in reply to Nanny23]

Hi nanny23 thanks for the reply. Yes I'm going exercises see a little improvement but the longer I walk the more painful it becomes so I need to pace myself. Wow great for your age amazing well done to you. Thank you take care

[Helipad]

My occupational therapist gave me a bath lift, which is really good and I didn’t have to pay for that but not sure about a walk in shower as I would have thought this would require a lot more work and money. I referred myself by contacting Essex council as I was initially asking about parking spaces.

[Betsy50 in reply to Helipad]

Hi helipad thanks for the reply. Okay I've got a bath board and put rail on my wall at shower I guess got to try this first so see how it goes. The lady was really nice and the guys very quick sorting it all out I also got a stool so I can sit at worktop in kitchen as standing killing me right now. Hope you are well take care

[Helipad in reply to Betsy50]

They mentioned to me about the stool, do you find it works well?

[Betsy50 in reply to Helipad]

Hi helipad it definitely takes the strain off my hip n back but I'll keep you posted

[MaggieSylvie]

My bath sides are not as high as other baths (I had a friend who was having trouble getting in, and I said "Do it this way" and her bath was higher than mine. I couldn't get in either. So perhaps you could find a more shallow bath that you can step in like mounting a horse. I have a bath board, too, so that I can sit down in the shower. There is no room for a separate shower in my little bathroom. While our bath is relatively shallow, it's still deep enough for a good soak, and I use an inflatable cushion to lower myself in and raise myself out.

[Helipad in reply to MaggieSylvie]

I’ve just read your reply to Betsy50 and I’m very intrigued by your inflatable cushion you use for the bath. Can I just ask how it works?

[Betsy50 in reply to MaggieSylvie]

Hi maggiesylvia thanks for your reply. Yes my bathroom very small indeed. How does the cushion work if you dont mind me asking ? Everyone been great with their responses I really appreciate it

[MaggieSylvie]

It's cordless, so you have a separate pumping unit which you charge up over 24 hours and then when you're ready for a bath, fit the cushion in the bottom of the bath (it has four octopus suckers that keep it in place). Then you unplug and take the pump into the bathroom, push the cushion's air tube into the unit and press a button to inflate the cushion (I don't inflate it completely until I'm ready to get out of the bath.

These things are expensive to buy and I got mine because I am looked after by the Blind Veterans Society; my partner is blind and so they look after me because I am his carer. The make is Mangar International, who are in Wales and the unit is Airflow.

[MaggieSylvie]

It's cordless, so you have a separate pumping unit which you charge up over 24 hours and then when you're ready for a bath, fit the cushion in the bottom of the bath (it has four octopus suckers that keep it in place). Then you unplug and take the pump into the bathroom, push the cushion's air tube into the unit and press a button to inflate the cushion (I don't inflate it completely until I'm ready to get out of the bath.

These things are expensive to buy and I got mine because I am looked after by the Blind Veterans Society; my partner is blind and so they look after me because I am his carer. The make is Mangar International, who are in Wales and the unit is Airflow.

[Betsy50 in reply to MaggieSylvie]

Hi oh that sounds good I'll need to look it up thank you very much for that. Aw bless ye he lucky to have you admire you