Funding help

[dpford]

My dad is currently in hospital and we are trying to get him home, but after assessment he needs a stairlift. Adult Services want us to fund this as they tell us it's too long a wait to put in a grant application. Does anyone have any advice on this kind of subject, as it's all very stressful and help so far hasn't been good. Thank you

[NannaB]

I live in Kent and know several people who have had to have a stair lift fitted, us included. They and we were told they don't fund stair lifts. They were prepared to fit a lift in the corner of the lounge going into the bedroom though. At a PSP conference we went to, an OT who spoke at the meeting said they would never recommend stair lifts for people with PSP because of balance problems. We ignored the advice and bought one anyway but my husband had two years extra sleeping upstairs than he would have had without it. Our dining room is now upstairs and his bed down stairs but with help he can still use the lift for family gatherings, meaning he can join us for family meals, or banquets as our grandson described the last one.

You can hire stair lifts so if your dad is likely to have to be moved downstairs in the not too distant future, this may be an option.

It is stressful making these kind of decisions so I hope someone on the site can give more positive information.

X

[Katiebow in reply to NannaB]

Dear NannaB, I too anticipate that Ben will have to move downstairs as our staircase isn't suitable for chairlift. We haven't had OT in to assess the house but feel sure that part of the garage can be converted into wet room and accessed from the hall. Trouble is that i can't find the words to discuss this with Ben but do feel that we should be making preperations so that things are in place when the need comes. His balance has become noticeably worse and he has fallen twice in the last week, once backwards downstairs stupidly trying to carry something in each hand and not holding on. He promised that he wouldn't take such silly risks but continues to do so.

Any advise on how to go about things and when, driving me mad running all of these things through my mind but not being able to discuss or action anything. Xx

[abirke in reply to Katiebow]

You might actually record when he falls and at night or some suitable time, discuss what the record says. This gives him more proof of how and when and what caused it. My husband used to fall 8-12 times a day or more. He now only falls two or so times a day. And I'm happy! Recording his falls helped him to see where his areas of weakness were....always the bathroom, and getting in or out of the garage or lanai door. He has a ramp now which he can walk down without his walker!!!I'm so happy!

Anyway record the falls have proof on hand of when where and how and then discuss it.

AVB

[Katiebow in reply to abirke]

Thanks for the advise, will keep a record as from now. Xx

[NannaB in reply to Katiebow]

That's what we have done. Part of the garage is now the wet room. He fell in the bath just before the wet room was finished so it was completed at the right time. I told my husband that people on this site had suggested getting everything ready before it was needed. I suggested converting the garage. He didn't think it was necessary but I said if he could no longer get into the bath he would have to have bed baths or strip washes for the rest of his life and never have a shower again. A few days later he was looking on the Internet for builders. If you do go ahead make sure the builders know it is for a disabled person. The doors and turning circles must be big enough and the area should be able to accommodate a wheelchair not a chair fixed to the wall. There should also be enough room for a carer to be in there as well and space for her to get round him or room for the chair to turn a full circle. The OT would advise you but they do sometimes suggest things forgetting that it is your home being changed and you have to live with it. I think the area we live in may determine what help, if any we can get. We had to finance the build ourselves but we were exempt from most of the VAT. We also get a reduction in community tax. Telling you about it now, I look back and wonder how I managed to organise it all myself. I had to hire a skip to clear the garage, order a shed ( which ended up a summerhouse with shed attached) to hold tools, lawn mower etc, but I did it so I'm sure you will find the strength to do what you need to. It's just so sad we have to deal with all these things without the support we are so used to isn't it.

X

[Katiebow in reply to NannaB]

So true NannaB, thankfully the garage, shed and loft isn't too bad as my son helped to sort things as his dad obviously couldn't. Both sons have moved too far away to offer regular help so all down to me now. Help!

Thanks for the advise will soon have to pluck up courage to tackle this head on.

Take care

Kate xx

[MarkatHMSTC]

Hello dpford,

These people have done brilliant work for the Herts MS Therapy Centre in Letchworth, where I work. They cover a large part of England (London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Northamptonshire, Cambridge and Berkshire) See more at: emslifts.co.uk Maybe they can help. They are good with people. I trust them.

All the best

Mark

[gypsywoman1947]

I'm sorry to hear of your problem, our OT also advised against stairlift for my PSP suffering husband and we have been managing with bed in the lounge. We could not get any financial help with garage conversion and finally now we are having to move from our family home into a pint size bungalow, I will just about break even financially and I have to make bungalow bathroom into wet room. The stress is crippling but probably better now than in another 2 years time.

I don't think the services people understand these problems we all face , they are not living them are they ??

I think the idea of hiring might be a short term solution for you , they also do reconditioned stair lifts , this might be an option also. My best wishes to you , hope you get sorted real soon.

X

[Hidden]

In 1998 my mother collapsed from longstanding heart valve problem for which she refused surgery. Whilst she was in hospital my father paid £1800 to have stairlift fitted. During the following month she was at home ten days and used the lift during that period, then she died in hospital. My father contacted the company that had fitted the lift and they came and removed it and gave him £500. Think carefully before buying a lift.

[formercarer]

We bought one, but when we didn't need it anymore, we were unable to sell it. The second hand market is apparently saturated.

I suggest you advertise for a free one on sites such as Freecycle.

Good luck!

[Katiebow]

Why are the authorities so short sighted not working in unison to get emergency funding to get folks out of hospital and back into their own home. Must save money in the long run.

Best of luck getting everything in place awaiting his return. Xx

[Amilazy]

Hi we were given same advice by OT and PSPA guidebook, and at the time M was more mobile so she would see stairs go up and round the half landing and then fall down, I fitted a child gate but not successful. So we sold family house of 35Yr, bought a bungalow and had it adapted: replaced shower room (after a couple of smashed shower screens) with expanded wet room, widened doorways for wheelchair access, and had a kitchen diner created, flat access to front and rear doors. Though expensive best thing we ever did, had funds as we had been planning to go traveling when I retired, that dream taken by PSP. M's mum (96) has recently moved into a care home which has stair lift needed to get to her room, we tried it but not successful M could not transfer safely at top of stairs, so her mum comes down to see us. I think the chairlift would have been a temporary solution but as mobility deteriorates becomes less use. Maybe better spending cash on adapting downstairs for the patient, straight off. I agree with pattz every case different but think carefully before buying. Tim

[abirke in reply to Amilazy]

I agree. Progressive means that what works today will most likely not work in the near future.

AVB

[NanBabs]

We had a stairlift fitted last December, the day before P came home from emergency respite. I really don`t know how we would have managed these past months without it. I resented the expense but tried to just compare it to going on a good holiday !

I hate the sight of it but it is definitely a necessity for us.

Like others have said, you can hire lifts or have seconds hand ones,

Good luck.

[NannaB in reply to NanBabs]

I feel the same NanBabs. We used it every day for two years and as our dining room is now upstairs, with help my husband got up there at Easter, I don't think he will now though. It does come in handy though. I send all my laundry upstairs on it. My dining chairs go up and down, depending on how many people are eating with us, my grandchildren love it, under supervision of course. Twice a month I have a group of ukulele players playing in our upstairs dining room. Cups, kettle, biscuits etc all go up on the lift. Ours was reconditioned and I don't pay a maintenance contract as I know I won't get any money for it but as I found it invaluable when I injured my back, am not rushing to get rid of it yet.

X.