Caring for Grandma and grant to modify bathroom

dellxps

Hello everyone

My gran lives with us and recently went on holiday. Whilst there, she suffered a stroke. My mum and dad flew out there and they came back today.

She has lost all feeling on the left side of the body and it looks as if she will need full time care. My mum currently has a part time job which she has had compassionate leave from, but we think she'll have to give this up as she does everything for my gran.

The money that my mum was earning was really needed and i was wondering where we would start in terms of looking at carer/disability benefits?

Also, we desperately require help in creating an accessible bathroom, as currently we have to lift her and put her on a plastic chair in the actual bath which is ok in the short run but not forever. Also because of the way she has to be lifted she is now also experiencing shoulder pain. Are there any grants available to help us modify the bathroom.

She has not yet seen a doctor in the UK, he is coming tomorrow. Would he refer us to the necessary bodies?

Many thanks

Babshubbie

Had your Gran been admitted to hospital following a stroke in the UK, the occupational therapists at the hospital would have assessed her home needs before discharge. They could have provided raising attachments for chairs, bed, and toilet, perching stools, a swivel seat for the bath, grab rails at the doors and rails if applicable for the stairs. Modifications to the bathroom and major work like that is generally means tested and is the province of the local authority, I believe.

I would imagine your GP would know the procedure for cases such as you outline.

sleepless_saver

This must be very upsetting for all of you, especially with your gran having become ill abroad.

She should be assessed not just for equipment and adaptations in the house which you should certainly get help for, but also for rehabilitation which it is really important to get started as soon as possible. Ideally she would be referred (by the doctor) to a stroke team which would have the kind of mix of skills needed. At the minimum she would need assessment by a physiotherpaist, an occupational therapist and a neurologist. This applies no matter what age she is (I mention this just in case you are unlucky enough to have a doctor who thinks it's less important to rehabilitate older people). She should also have access to social care services and it sounds like there may be a need for respite care as well for your mum. Ask the doctor (I assume this is her GP) about all of this.

The bath problem might possibly be dealt with temporarily by phoning social services and asking for a swivel bath seat as a matter of urgency - it's not just painful for your gran, but potentially dangerous for whoever is lifting her. This would be just until longer term adaptations can be made.

As to benefits, your gran should be entitled to higher rate attendance allowance (if she is over 65, but if not it would be Disability Living Allowance). And your mother could certainly claim carers allowance - it would be as well to have a full benefits check done as carers allowance is not a straightforward benefit, plus there may be other entitlements.