Bath/Shower

inspirespirit

I just cannot get into my bath any more to have a shower or bath (shower is over the bath).
I am living on Care Allowance as my son has disabilities, and past 12 months I have been struggling with arthritis in both knees.

Are there any grants available does anyone know, to help with the costs of having a walk in shower? I haven't got a cat in hells chance of trying to save up for one myself.
Thank you.

MrsManda

I think you need to ask for an assessment of needs through the adult social care services at your county council. They'll do an assessment of your home and if they assess you as requiring a walk-in shower you may be entitled to funding for this to happen.

daska

Or it may be that a simpler solution can be put in place faster, even if it's just temporary to help while you wait. Have you tried a bathboard and a leg-lifter, that's the cheapest/simplest solution that an OT will start with. The board goes across the bath for you to sit on. The leg lifter looks like a stiff dog lead and collar, the idea is that you can hook your foot in one end and help to lift your legs over the edge of the bath. (Personally I hate using a bathboard and sitting in the shower but I guess it does it's job.) There are also bath seats that can help to lower and raise you in and out of the bath. I have a Mangar bath cushion which I find brilliant but, as with a lot of these solutions, they're not suitable for everyone. Why not see if you can self refer to the Occupational Therapists at your local hospital (I can in my area I don't know if it's possible everywhere).

munchings-n-crunchings

The funding for such an adaption would be from a Disabled Facilities Grant. through your council. For this you will need to have the OT assessment.
There is always a long wait for these to happen.

As daska has said, the OT has a duty to look at the most cost effective solution to your needs, so prior to a walk in shower, other things will be offered.
Even when the assessment has been carried out, there may be a wait for any money to be available.

In my case, when I requested an assessment to change the heating system in the house from an open fire, so that my disabled son could be independent, to gas or oil fire central heating, the first thing to be offered was an oil filled radiator for his bedroom.

Regards
Munchie

inspirespirit

Thanks everyone. I'm not sure about a bath board. I'm quite big and things like that make me really nervous. I tried to self refer to an OT but you cannot do that anymore apparently. I am seeing my doc tomoz so will ask him to refer me.
Someone at my local 'hub' council, told me that certain charities will help towards costs and there are also grants but I wouldn't know where to start looking, so I'll go down the OT route.

daska

inspirespirit wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I'm not sure about a bath board. I'm quite big and things like that make me really nervous. I tried to self refer to an OT but you cannot do that anymore apparently. I am seeing my doc tomoz so will ask him to refer me.
Someone at my local 'hub' council, told me that certain charities will help towards costs and there are also grants but I wouldn't know where to start looking, so I'll go down the OT route.

A good OT will make sure that they don't just abandon you without making sure that they've addressed any problems/concerns you have. Does your arthritis cause any other problems around the house or when caring for your son? You're entitled to an assessment of your own needs by social services to see if you need any support. Even if they can't offer anything they might have some useful suggestions.

DUKE

inspirespirit wrote: »

I just cannot get into my bath any more to have a shower or bath (shower is over the bath).
I am living on Care Allowance as my son has disabilities, and past 12 months I have been struggling with arthritis in both knees.

Are there any grants available does anyone know, to help with the costs of having a walk in shower? I haven't got a cat in hells chance of trying to save up for one myself.
Thank you.

My 73 year old Mom's in a similar position to you & has been waiting 5 years. The local council did tell her that she could have a shower tray then changed their minds twice. She was told in October 2010 that she could actually have a wet room but Social Services now say that due to the new goverment she can't. The latest news is that she can have a shower tray, but she has to wait yet again! My Mom even offered to pay the council (she lives in a council bungalow) to do it but they refused, but that's another story. Don't give up! Ring Social Services & get an Occupational Therapist to come out & see you & assess your needs. If they ask you to climb in the bath tell them you can't. My Mom forced herself in & out of the bath for them which caused her great pain, due to this they said that she couldn't have a shower tray as she was capable of getting in & out of the bath. They also said if she could stand at the sink & have a wash down then she was ok. Keep on at them & good luck!