The "have a look at this!" thread II

yoyoegg

I would feel distinctly uneasy in a home thats probably seen more than its fair share of sadness and frustration.

That, plus could you ever get rid of the smell of floorboards soaked in urine?

StumpyPumpy

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I think that counts as the saddest house I've seen for a long time.

There's just a strong impression of someone who didn't have much of a life because of illness and didn't even have the money to maintain the house reasonably (presumably loss of income caused by the illness).

It must have been so depressing for them having to continue living in that house and try and make it do - on top of the illness itself:(

I confess that my main worry about that house (as a potential buyer) would be not so much the work needing doing on it - but I would feel distinctly uneasy in a home thats probably seen more than its fair share of sadness and frustration.

I disagree entirely.

Not everyone wants whizz-bang up-to-date decor and it actually looks reasonably maintained to me. Most houses look barren when they have been stripped of their contents like that one has. Maybe they liked the decoration that way, or just didn't care one way or another.

Seems to me that it would be a waste of money to update, for instance, the bath. Firstly because it works as a bath, and second because they probably don't use it. Same with the stairs. The wheelchair modifications don't look recent, so maybe they did the job perfectly well and didn't need updating. And there are still signs around the rooms of lots of display cabinets, shelves etc.

Rather than immediately think that it was inhabited by someone sad and frustrated, why not imagine all those cabinets filled with souvenirs of foreign travel, great times out and the like. It is just as likely a scenario as yours. Not everyone in a wheelchair is miserable and housebound, you know?

SP

Strapped

I thought it was sad, just because it's clearly a probate sale.

lessonlearned

yoyoegg wrote: »

That, plus could you ever get rid of the smell of floorboards soaked in urine?

That's a rather tasteless, disrespectful remark. Apart from which it may be totally unfounded and only serves to show your ignorance.

Being in a wheelchair does not automatically make someone incontinent.

On the plus side a bathroom that is large enough to take both a full sized bath and a disabled friendly shower unit, plus a loo and wash-hand basin is going to be a fairly decent sized room.

As you know I'm currently looking for a property suitable for my husband so that I can bring him home. I actually found the pictures quite useful.

I have a modest budget but had ruled out terraced properties partly because of the size (although of course there can be some very generously sized terraced properties).

My aunt lived in a very beautiful Edwardian town house. It was huge but didn't look like it because it was a mid terrace. From the outside you had no idea what awaited you on the inside. Of course we called it "The Tardis":rotfl:.

An internal lift and a revamped bathroom would be easy enough to install. No I had ruled terraced properties because of access, but that ramp to the front door proves it can be done. I had assumed I would need at least a semi but I see now that it's do-able. Rear access to a nice sunny garden can be achieved by patio or french doors.

Food for thought there - so thanks for that.

gallygirl

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I think that counts as the saddest house I've seen for a long time.

I disagree - as others have. It has a lovely hall and nice big rooms (bit unsure about view from pic 3 showing a door though...... ). May well have been someone who had lived a long and fulfilled life and I'm sure they would love to see it restored to glory. Would love to take it on

John_Pierpoint

The nearest vision of Hell that I can remember, was going round a care/nursing home full of old women (and a man or two) waiting to die.

I think most old people prefer to stay in their own home, if they can, because of memories and because they know exactly where they are, if they need to get up several times a night.

lessonlearned

I agree.

This is why I am trying so hard to find the right property to bring my husband home.

Adult social services did offer to convert our garage into a bedroom/shower room but even so - it would have been unworkable.

As nursing homes go it is actually rather good. I've done what I can with his room, turning it into a mini bedsit, but as you say it's not the same as being at home is it.

I have a similar issue with my parents now as well....

It's going to take an army of carers to help me and I'm determined to make a go of it so that he can at least spent what time he has left somewhere nice.

Maybe I should just buy a huge house and turn it into a "mini-nursing home".:rotfl::rotfl:

But then you'd probably have to cart me off in a strait-jacket....

lessonlearned

Strapped wrote: »

Nice shot of the urn, should make people feel comfortable:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-40570034.html

Mmmm - whilst not wishing to be disrespectful to either the deceased or their relatives - it has to be said an urn could hardly be termed a decorative object.

However, what does one do - it seems equally disrespectful to simply shove an urn in a cupboard.

A friend of mine came up with what I think is a lovely solution.

She has a small courtyard garden and has dedicated a small corner where she keeps the urn containing her husband's ashes. She had a sort of corner wall/planter thingy built, the urn sits inside protected from the elements. She has planted a tree behind it, and then has a small discrete headstone, and the whole thing is surrounded by flowers and shrubs.

She will go and sit there and "talk" to him. If she has to move house she can take simply remove the urn and take him with her.

I know I make it sound rather morbid, but in reality it's rather cheerful. The grandchildren have "planted" butterflies on sticks and a windmill. When they walk past they always say "Hello Grandpa". It's a nice sunny spot and even the dog lies next to it to sunbathe.

I know it might sound a bit weird but I think it's much nicer than some soulless crematorium gardens that no-one ever visits.

phoebe1989seb

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

The nearest vision of Hell that I can remember, was going round a care/nursing home full of old women (and a man or two) waiting to die.

I think most old people prefer to stay in their own home, if they can, because of memories and because they know exactly where they are, if they need to get up several times a night.

Completely agree - but having both parents with various forms of Dementia has unfortunately rendered this scenario unavoidable in my own case........I do so wish it could be otherwise though

phoebe1989seb

lessonlearned wrote: »

I have a similar issue with my parents now as well....

It's going to take an army of carers to help me and I'm determined to make a go of it so that he can at least spent what time he has left somewhere nice.

Maybe I should just buy a huge house and turn it into a "mini-nursing home".:rotfl::rotfl:

But then you'd probably have to cart me off in a strait-jacket....

DH and I discussed doing exactly the same thing only recently - with three parents between us all with Dementia it seemed something worth considering, especially as the care package in their own home idea didn't work for us

Unfortunately DH's dad sadly passed away yesterday and we do have my parents in a pretty good place - but I know what you mean, it's not the same as being in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own home......