Aids and adaptations.

[Nettiemac]

Does anyone know if I can get any help with aids to help me. I have a walking stick. Which is becoming more difficult to use due to the pain in my shoulders, neck, elbows, wrists and arms. I asked my gp but no joy there. Any ideas , help, I am becoming a recluse.

[Dazakella2010]

Hi...

you need to ring your local council and ask to be put through to the department that deals with o/t assessments.... an occupational therapist will ring you and do a quick assessment over the phone then decide if they can assist you further. If it’s they feel they can they will arrange to come to your home to do a full assessment to find out what adaptions or aids you might need.

Hope this helps.

[Nettiemac in reply to Dazakella2010]

Thank you so much. I thought I needed to be referred by someone but I didnt know who. This is great thank you.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff in reply to Nettiemac]

I know in Scotland, you can self refer to occupational therapy - not sure about rest of UK

[Dazakella2010 in reply to Nettiemac]

No worries.... hope they can help you x

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello, great reply from Dazakella, this is why the forum is helpful with any advice we can read about, I hope you speak to your local council soon and get some ,much needed help to assist you, Here’s to you moving forward and getting out alittle more , take care.

[Manaan2009]

Feel the same myself,shoulders and elbows cant hold a walking stick anymore,considering buying a mobility scooter

[Nettiemac in reply to Manaan2009]

My son suggested the same thing. I assume they are very expensive. I am fed up spending out on things. I have just bought a new bed because I couldnt get up out of my old bed, it was too low, plus the mattress was extremely soft so struggled to get out of bed and was in a lot of pain all night. I hope I can get some kind of help so I can get out. Especially when the weather picks up. It's difficult mobilising isn't it?

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi there, I see you have left your post unlocked to this community only. For privacy reasons you may want to think about locking this and future posts.

It is not a rule to lock your post post but one I always personaly advise

Momo

[Masil]

Hi sounds like you need to ring adult social services and get a occupational therapist who will visit you at home talk to you about your situation and what adaption and aids that they can offer to help you with I will get you the number tomorrow if you want ? Do you have any 1 that can help support you through the process of this ?

[Nettiemac in reply to Masil]

Hi. I have my daughter, she is my carer, but she is only 24, other than that no. The number would be really useful thank you. All this is new to me. So far its cost me a fortune and I really cant afford anymore so need help. Any help would be good.

[maxine05 in reply to Nettiemac]

Hi, you could also try the Red Cross. My doc referred me to ot and they've installed bed rail to help me out of bed, a bath rail n seat so I can take a shower, a toilet rail to help me up off the loo and council put me another banister in on the stairs. I bought a stick but can't use it due to pains in my hands. Doc tried to refer me again but because of covid no one is taking on at the minute. Xx

[Mobill]

Hi,Speak to adult services and get yourself a self referral for occupational health.That is what I did,from that I got a shower seat,bath seat,zimmer,trolley,arm crutches,a perch stool a grabber and a step to use with bath seat,as I am a bit vertically challenged.I hope that helps.Take care.

[Zari0800]

Hi, to all that did manage to get done adaptations, what can you ask for pls? I had a telephone consultation with OT now waiting for a visit I was advised that it could take 6 months for them.

Thanks

[Confused01]

Hi,Just to say also that if you purchased your own walking stick then be careful as a walking stick should be specifically set up for your height (not the 3” apart push in options on stick that can be purchased).

Mine was provided by my local hospital physio Dept. They adjusted the height to me personally.

My stick worsens my arm, neck, shoulder pain. It’s a catch 22 as a chair would be the other option which I want to avoid. More restricting tho as no other option when stick isn’t sufficient/helpful.

X

[Nettiemac in reply to Confused01]

I got my stick from the physio. I also bought a fold up one to keep in the boot of the car. But my main one is from the physios

[Sugarhobbit]

Hi there.

I was referred by my gp to the community physio and occupational therapist. First of all to help me with my weakness in my muscles, I have always had weak muscles from a rare muscle waisting disease as a child, put that with chronic fatigue syndrome I have had since 1992 and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia last September. I have been given some strengthening exercises. They got me a commode for downstairs. A perching stool and kettle tipper in the kitchen. A second stair rail. A shower stool, toilet frame rails and they also got funding to alter the 2 steps to my cottage because I struggled to get in and out without difficulty and help and a hand rail outside. I am 51 also they gave me a different walking stick. They were all very helpful. Just ask for a referral from your gp to the community physio as you are struggling with mobility.

Kind regards and good luck.

Sugarhobbit xxx

[Wordsearch1]

Hi there l had the same problem and l now have a four wheeled walker which I use all the time l was in danger of becoming House bound before l had this they come with a seat and usually a small bag that hangs underneath so you can put things in it and with the seat you can sit when you need to . Mobilityshops sell them and so do Ebay and Amazon. I am sorry hear that your GP could not help as they normally suggest them. Hope you manage to sort something out take care

[Flowerc]

I had to contact a OT through my local council as my doctor wouldn’t help either they couldn’t have been more helpful very easy to sort out yourself good luck

[Dazakella2010 in reply to Flowerc]

As I said before this is the best option.... I did this myself and got the best help possible.... I got a wheelchair, bed post and stair rail within 3 weeks and am having a shower fitted in my cloakroom. The council arrange it all for you, you do not have to do a thing.