Help with repairs for elderly person

tanith

I have an elderly friend whose house is falling into disrepair because she has no money to maintain it. She is 84 but with my help manages to stay independant and looks after herself very well. Her grown up children have abandoned her so I help by phone calls and a monthly shopping trip I live 65 miles away.
She claims nothing although she could and she will not undergo any Social Services accessment so doesn't help herself in that respect but I was wondering if there is any way she could get help with some repairs to make the house safe again , for instance her back door is falling apart and needs replacing but she really has no savings of any kind just a large house , she won't hear of equity release believe me I've tried she is very hard work. I tried Age Uk but their Handyperson scheme only do minor works.. so if anyone has an idea I would be grateful.. I've offered to contact her GP but she won't hear of it.. although what good that would do I don't know.. she's becoming very depressed and agitated about the state of the house...

Anubis_2

How about getting in touch with a benefits adviser and see if she will allow them around. They will then be able to advise on what she should be claiming and what help they can give regarding the house, if any. Do you think she would allow the BA in with you there for support?

If she is able to claim pension credit for example, then even if there is no help for house repairs, she may be able to pay out of her pension credit.

However, it sounds like you may have your work cut out. The back door is essential to get fixed. Another avenue could be appealing to some charities or, for the back door specifically, some local businesses - you never know, someone may offer to repair it free. Good luck!

However,

Mojisola

tanith wrote: »

I have an elderly friend whose house is falling into disrepair because she has no money to maintain it. She is 84 but with my help manages to stay independant and looks after herself very well. Her grown up children have abandoned her so I help by phone calls and a monthly shopping trip I live 65 miles away.
She claims nothing although she could and she will not undergo any Social Services accessment so doesn't help herself in that respect but I was wondering if there is any way she could get help with some repairs to make the house safe again , for instance her back door is falling apart and needs replacing but she really has no savings of any kind just a large house , she won't hear of equity release believe me I've tried she is very hard work. I tried Age Uk but their Handyperson scheme only do minor works.. so if anyone has an idea I would be grateful.. I've offered to contact her GP but she won't hear of it.. although what good that would do I don't know.. she's becoming very depressed and agitated about the state of the house...

Anyone that is available to help will need to do an assessment to be sure that she is entitled to the help.

The time has come for her to make a decision - either she accepts she needs help and allows an advisor to put in claim forms for her or she lives with the house falling down.

Time for a bit of tough love.

We found the advisors from the Pension Service were lovely. They do understand that some older people are very resistant to what they think of as "charity" rather than "entitlement".

formaldehyde_perfume

http://www.careandrepair-england.org.uk/

http://www.foundations.uk.com/about_home_improvement_agencies

tanith

She did have a benefits advisor round 5yrs ago but she ended up arguing with the very kind lady and showed her the door... so I don't think she will go there again although I will mention it again next month when I go to take her out and shop. thanks for the links I'll take a look at them to see if anything looks promising..

Mojisola

tanith wrote: »

She did have a benefits advisor round 5yrs ago but she ended up arguing with the very kind lady and showed her the door... so I don't think she will go there again although I will mention it again next month when I go to take her out and shop. thanks for the links I'll take a look at them to see if anything looks promising..

It sounds as if the deterioration of the house will force her to change her mind. It may be hard for her but there are no other options - accept help to claim benefits or let the house fall down around her.

davsidipp

if she wont have a benefit check im afraid your banging your head against a brick wall being stubborn will get her nowhere no way will she get help without a check of some sort.you seem like a good friend but some people regardless of age are beyoned help.