General Chat

Its been an uphill struggle .literally, for hubby to agree for his own safely we need to have a stairlift.

His balance is so off ,he had another fall on Tuesday, I am so worried he will fall down the stairs

Grandson was up at ours on Friday and Sat repainting the hall and stairs for us and he had a good talk to grandad about his safety . he pointed out that if he had a fall down the stairs and ended up in hospital the social services may inspect the home and say its not safe for him and he could go in a home. Its his dread he may end up in a home.

Grandson also told him Nan isnt getting younger ether so its not just you!!!

We got him agreeing to a home visit that was today and now he has ordered a stair lift from an AGE UK associated supplier which will be going in in the next couple of weeks

Very pleased too with the price.

His sister had a stair lift put in for her hubby ,although he passed away 18 months ago she hasnt had it taken out as she uses it too even if its only to send the washing down the stairs and the hoover up !! she sometimes too goes up the stairs if her knees are playing up

Funny how he was so against and now can't wait for it to be installed

I think grandchildren can get though when others can't. Works with my parents too. :-D

Enjoy your stair lift

Good result in the end.

Why do men never see sense ?

Think its stubbornness and an unwillingness to accept your health is going down that you are at the next level of needing help

Mind you he is a stubborn old git too !! :-D

Men! Most of them (including my DH) think they're still in their 20s!!

Funny you should mention a stair lift Shirley as we are due to have one fitted very soon.

Has your husband had an assessment by Social Services? We went through all that in the Autumn and, as a result, an Occupational Therapist came out to see us. She recommended all sorts of things which would help with my husband's mobility issues and make life safer for him.

She was able to tell us that, as our local council had received a recent grant from the NHS, he would qualify to have a stairlift and have the bathroom converted to a wet room - for free.

Two young men from a stairlift company came yesterday to assess the situation and will submit their quote to the Council. They told us that the delivery could be very soon.

They also said that, if we were thinking of replacing the stair carpet, to do so before rather than after the stair lift is fitted. :-D

As for your husband's stubbornness, it's understandable really. It must be dreadful to have been the 'strong, manly' one for so many years, only to be reduced to being dependent on others for so much.

Hope all goes well............ Cx <3

New carpet is being fitted next Tuesday which is great . The price does include a bit of carpentry too as its a requirement for the bottom three stairs to have a handrail and spindles put in ,it's open plan at the moment which doesn't meet current regulations .The handrail too needs to be changed over from the right to the left as it will be taken off fro the new stairlift to go on that side of the stairs and there must a handrail for walking up and down .

We didn't think about asking the council but to be honest I don't think hubby would accept them coming in to assess him he is too indendent and wouldn't want them to know his business .

He goes to an AGE UK. dementia day care centre on a wed so was ok with going with them for the chair lift

That's what we persuaded my MIL to do Cynthia. They were on the brink of getting a secondhand one, but we managed to dissuade them saying they didn't know which sort was best for their stairs, the cost of fitting etc. They have now been assessed and will get one FREE too. (the actual cost they won't have to pay will be about £3450). Also the maintenance of it will be free. Luckily the lady who came managed to persuade them to have a walk in shower fitted and proper ramps to their front door, again for FREE. We had been trying to persuade them to do this for about 2 years as well, but they are very independant and suspicious of anything that's free. They listened to her whereas they wouldn't take any notice of us!! They are just waiting to be notified when it will be done now.

They were the same when they needed a new boiler a couple of years ago and couldn't afford one. We told them we would get them a free one via the warm front scheme and they didn't like it one bit and tried to get a loan! They said that they were fitted by cowboys, were no good, all without really knowing, just because of fixed views that free things must be no good!! Of course once it was fitted it was the best thing since sliced bread and they haven't stopped singing it's praises since!! :-S

Sirley, I am so pleased you will have a stairlift to help your hubby, it will save you a bit of energy too, if you use it sometimes. A shame you can't have more free help because of your hubby's pride but this is a good start and it will be great for your hubby to be safer.

Hope the installation of carpet and lift goes well.

Lizx

FINALY HAD MY STAIR LIFT FITTED,IT'S GOOD,VERY GOOD

Good for you Gwen, hope it helps you get around your house more easily.

Lizxxx

We had a visit from someone from the Parkinson's Society. She advised us never to buy anything before checking with social services as there is so much available to help older folk these days.

Also, I understand that councils are willing to provide these items as it is far cheaper than subsidising someone in a care home - they are very keen on care in the home.

We now have a toilet frame, raised toilet seat and bath seat. Hopefully the stair lift will be arriving soon and she also mentioned about grab rails and some cushions which help to support a person's back etc. No means test was required.

Definitely worth getting in touch with Adult Services. :-D