Grandmother moving in with me

superpup

Errata wrote: »

Superpup, you don't make the rules so don't feel guilty. Clearly your nan won't be doing a lot and will need assistance with some things and someone on call during the night - you. It may well be that you don't actually know what and how much of it she can manage without a bit of a struggle as you haven't stayed with her for a long period of time, and in any case we all make an effort when someone else is around.
The OT will be a great help in assessing what nan can do easily and what not and will also be able to give you assistance in filling out the form and also a supporting report. You'll be registering her with your GP as soon as she moves in and she'll get a full MOT which will give you an even fuller picture of her capabilities. Don't hold back, it could be coming out of my tax..........and I don't mind !

Aw, you are sweet . I'll ask for them not to take it out of your tax as you've given lots of advice so have contributed to the cause already

I think the OT is going to be a big help. So you reckon I should wait for the OT to come before I fill in the form? (Or just send it to elsien's Dad..? :cool: )

I'm looking forward to going to the Dr with her. I bet she hasn't told me half of it.

superpup

margaretclare wrote: »

I have not yet gone on to old ladies' Aertex knickers - at 73, when do I have to start wearing these? I've worn Sloggi pants for many years, and I now find that Sloggi Romance maxi-briefs are the most comfortable.

No, no! Stay away from the Aertex, they'll put years on you. Stick to the Sloggis!


When you're talking to social services about the bath seat etc, remember they can install hand-rails and grab-handles. It's not much use having a bath seat if there isn't a grab-handle to help you into the bath.

Will they organise them or do we arrange it after they've advised?

DH and I have just come back from a 15-day holiday and then another weekend (political) conference - no, not THAT one! We have become connoiseurs of the different types of shower, bath, how to get in and out of (or not). The interpretations of our request for a 'walk-in shower' have been many and various. The only times we actually found a walk-in shower were on the Stena 'Hollandica', a hotel in northern Germany and another one in Holland, the Bastion group of hotels. This last weekend at the Hilton Leicester, we had a bath with shower over, and the only way to get into it was to sit on the side of the bath (for which I needed DH's help) and grab the handle at the other side, swing legs over, which again I need help for. Unless you have difficulty in doing normal things like get in and out of the bath, it's difficult to appreciate just what is involved and the damage you could do yourself if you slipped and fell. If I did that I couldn't get out again on my own and I can't risk fracturing my pelvis a second time. (NB: Now feeling less guilty about getting Attendance Allowance - people have said I don't need help: yes I do).


HTH

Yes, I'm doubtful about the 'swingy legs around and over' aspect of getting her into the bath. And out of it again of course. I'm thinking standing her outside and jet washing her may be quicker and easier... JUST KIDDING! I threatened her with this last time I saw her and she saw the funny side of it once I'd got her to understand what a jet wash was

You've got me thinking... are big boats fairly friendly to people with mobility problems? I think a break away in the sun would do her the world of good. She loves the sun and will happily sit and bake in it in the garden, if there was any (sun not garden). A cruise kind of thing has never really appealed to me but I would quite like to take her on a short one while she could still enjoy it.

A good use for the extra pennies?


sp x

callow

I don't know how urgent your central heating is but with your Grandmother living with you you may be entitled to a Warmfront Grant.

http://www.warmfront.co.uk/do-i-qualify.htm

If eligible it does take around 6 months.

superpup

callow wrote: »

I don't know how urgent your central heating is but with your Grandmother living with you you may be entitled to a Warmfront Grant.

http://www.warmfront.co.uk/do-i-qualify.htm

If eligible it does take around 6 months.

Thanks Callow. I did look into this but although my Nan would currently qualify in her own home (she already has central heating), as she won't be the homeowner when she's living with me, we're not eligible.

But thank you and I hope someone else will see the link and benefit from it. I'd never heard of it until around a month ago. I bet there are loads of people who would qualify.

Errata

superpup wrote: »

Yes, I'm doubtful about the 'swingy legs around and over' aspect of getting her into the bath. And out of it again of course. I'm thinking standing her outside and jet washing her may be quicker and easier... JUST KIDDING! I threatened her with this last time I saw her and she saw the funny side of it once I'd got her to understand what a jet wash was

You've got me thinking... are big boats fairly friendly to people with mobility problems? I think a break away in the sun would do her the world of good. She loves the sun and will happily sit and bake in it in the garden, if there was any (sun not garden). A cruise kind of thing has never really appealed to me but I would quite like to take her on a short one while she could still enjoy it.

A good use for the extra pennies?


sp x

Looks like nan might not have had a bath for a while, just washing down as far as possible and up as far as possible, then washing possible ! Won't do her any harm as long as it's done regularly. There may be a day centre near you which will take older people for a bath, it will have walk in/wheel in showers and bath hoists if she fancies a fairground ride !
A UK port start and finish cruise might be a change for her, but not a fly/cruise, and they have good medical facilities on board but you would need sufficient medical insurance to medevac her if necessary.
Something to think of next spring when the weather starts picking up - perhaps a quick cruise round the Med?

superpup

Errata wrote: »

Looks like nan might not have had a bath for a while, just washing down as far as possible and up as far as possible, then washing possible ! Won't do her any harm as long as it's done regularly. There may be a day centre near you which will take older people for a bath, it will have walk in/wheel in showers and bath hoists if she fancies a fairground ride !

Ha! Yes, she has got a stool she puts in the bath but I don't think she's used it for a while. I expect social services will be able to give me info about day centres that will take her in for a bath.

A UK port start and finish cruise might be a change for her, but not a fly/cruise, and they have good medical facilities on board but you would need sufficient medical insurance to medevac her if necessary.
Something to think of next spring when the weather starts picking up - perhaps a quick cruise round the Med?

I may suggest a little cruise once she's settled here. I'll see what's available leaving from Plymouth.

Edit - er... nothing! Maybe have to try Southampton!

margaretclare

Hello again

Will take your point about Aertex knickers. I'm really relieved that they're not obligatory for old ladies. I'd hate to have to go round looking for them and I'd hate even more having to wear them. By the way, David Nieper have a nice range of underwear and they also have silk-and-wool vests! See http://www.davidnieper.co.uk/soft-jersey-cotton-vest/GB/2/catalogue/031/ST/SLIP/9721/

Well, a suggestion for you and Gran. You could go by Stena 'Hollandica' night crossing, a Captain's class cabin and there is a walk-in shower. Then stay at any of the Bastion group of hotels throughout Holland - again, one of the few places we found a walk-in shower. Holland is a lovely civilised little country, everyone speaks English (they're insulted if you even ask them: 'Of course I do...') and there is lots to see. Try www.stenaline.com and www.bastionhotelgroep.nl

It would be possible to plan a nice little holiday based on Stena/Bastion. You mention 'when the weather starts picking up' - well, how about the Dutch bulb-fields?

Travelling by car and ferry is a lot, a lot more civilised than any airport.

At present I am still saving most of the money because we don't know what our needs may be in years to come - the 'rainy day' has not yet arrived! But to have a lovely holiday like the one we've just had was worth all the thinking, planning and spending. It was nice to be able to think, we don't have to skimp, we can do this, why not.

Re Plymouth - Brittany Ferries have an overnight crossing to Roscoff, Brittany, which we may do next year because DH has never been to Brittany. They also have a longer one, to Santander. Depends where you want to go after that.

I have tried this washing at the basin - wash up as far as possible then down as far as possible - but it only works for one day, because I'm used to a daily shower. I had to do it when we stayed for 2 nights in Cologne, a very old hotel near the Rhine, a very historic place in the oldest part of the city. There was a shower over the bath but even DH had difficulty climbing into the bath - and he has longer legs than me! I just did not do it and was so pleased that the next place we came to had a proper step-in shower. I can't do with feeling stinky!

HTH

seven-day-weekend

P & O Ferries do a mini-cruise from Portsmouth-Bilbao (northern Spain), on the Pride of Bilbao; there are several decks but all are available by lift, I'm sure it would be OK for a wheelchair.

And I've just noticed it's 2 for the price of one at the moment.

http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/minicruise_minicruises_from_Portsmouth_minicruises_from_Portsmouth.htm

and this link tells you about their facilities for people with mobility difficulties

http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/onboard_portsmouth_-_bilbao_onboard_accessibility_accessibility.htm

superpup

margaretclare wrote: »

Hello again

Will take your point about Aertex knickers. I'm really relieved that they're not obligatory for old ladies. I'd hate to have to go round looking for them and I'd hate even more having to wear them. By the way, David Nieper have a nice range of underwear and they also have silk-and-wool vests! See http://www.davidnieper.co.uk/soft-jersey-cotton-vest/GB/2/catalogue/031/ST/SLIP/9721/

Ooh! I think my Nan would think they're a bit too 'racy' for her

Well, a suggestion for you and Gran. You could go by Stena 'Hollandica' night crossing, a Captain's class cabin and there is a walk-in shower. Then stay at any of the Bastion group of hotels throughout Holland - again, one of the few places we found a walk-in shower. Holland is a lovely civilised little country, everyone speaks English (they're insulted if you even ask them: 'Of course I do...') and there is lots to see. Try www.stenaline.com and www.bastionhotelgroep.nl

I'd like to go to Holland.

It would be possible to plan a nice little holiday based on Stena/Bastion. You mention 'when the weather starts picking up' - well, how about the Dutch bulb-fields?

Now you're talking! She would love the bulb fields

Travelling by car and ferry is a lot, a lot more civilised than any airport.

At present I am still saving most of the money because we don't know what our needs may be in years to come - the 'rainy day' has not yet arrived! But to have a lovely holiday like the one we've just had was worth all the thinking, planning and spending. It was nice to be able to think, we don't have to skimp, we can do this, why not.

I'm glad you had a lovely holiday. Absolutely why not!

Re Plymouth - Brittany Ferries have an overnight crossing to Roscoff, Brittany, which we may do next year because DH has never been to Brittany. They also have a longer one, to Santander. Depends where you want to go after that.

That's an option then but now you've told me about the bulb fields I think that has clinched it.

I have tried this washing at the basin - wash up as far as possible then down as far as possible - but it only works for one day, because I'm used to a daily shower. I had to do it when we stayed for 2 nights in Cologne, a very old hotel near the Rhine, a very historic place in the oldest part of the city. There was a shower over the bath but even DH had difficulty climbing into the bath - and he has longer legs than me! I just did not do it and was so pleased that the next place we came to had a proper step-in shower. I can't do with feeling stinky!

HTH

You sound far from stinky

thank you :A

sp x

superpup

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

P & O Ferries do a mini-cruise from Portsmouth-Bilbao (northern Spain), on the Pride of Bilbao; there are several decks but all are available by lift, I'm sure it would be OK for a wheelchair.

And I've just noticed it's 2 for the price of one at the moment.

http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/minicruise_minicruises_from_Portsmouth_minicruises_from_Portsmouth.htm

and this link tells you about their facilities for people with mobility difficulties

http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/onboard_portsmouth_-_bilbao_onboard_accessibility_accessibility.htm

Thank you probably too soon for me to grab the 2 for 1 at the moment but good to know as I can look out for them in the future.

The accessibility link is really useful too. Thank you.

sp x