Can anyone advise please?

teabag29

Ok so my mum is now 70 and has various health conditions. She has COPD which was diagnosed a few years ago and has various inhalers and medication. The night of her 70th birthday she ended up in hodpital as she couldn't breath (worse than usual). Her blood pressure was something like 198 over 70 (I think thats what they said) and the paramedics said if it had have got any higher she would've had a heart attack. (She has been back and fourth to hospital for various scans and xrays over the past 6 mths due to pains in her chest but nothings showing up).

At the hospital they did lots of tests and were concerned that her sodium levels were very low. She stayed for 3 days until they were back up and they released her but we still dont have any answers to whats wrong, she has to go back for another scan, xray and bloods at the end of the month. What we were told is that chest infections are common and much worse with COPD and they cant cure that but can help it, also that she has fibrosis of the lungs. They were worried about lung cancer due to her sodium levels being so low but then they went back up so that was disregarded. (my Grandma died of stroke and aunty of heart disease).

Anyway, this has given us a real shake up and we want to make mums life easier any way we can. The paramedics asked if she has a nebuliser at home or stairlift and she has none of these but they'd make her life so much easier.

She is a home owner but lives alone. She gets very out of breath just walking to the kitchen and so everyday tasks really take it out of her. Would she be entitled to any help with things like a stair lift or shower putting in, nebuliser at home or any form of disability benefit? She currenlt gets pension that's all. Any advice would be really appreciated

Tehya

Hi Teabag,

She won't qualify for DLA but she can apply for Attendance Allowance. Age Concern can help with filling in the forms they were very good to my aunt (76) who cares for her husband who has dementia as well as a few other things.

As for adaptations get onto your local council's adult social services department (my local council has the initial stages i.e. telling them what problems and needs the person has on their website so yours might do that too) and ask for her to be assessed. My aunt now has a stair-lift and wet-room but they did have to contribute but that was because they both have good pensions and savings.

My husband has a nebuliser at home which was supplied by the local hospital's respiratory diseases clinic. it's a clunky, old looking thing but it's more than up to the job.

Sorry I can't help more but I'm sure they'll be others along to advise further but I thought it might give you a starting point at least.

Mojisola

teabag29 wrote: »

She is a home owner but lives alone. She gets very out of breath just walking to the kitchen and so everyday tasks really take it out of her. Would she be entitled to any help with things like a stair lift or shower putting in, nebuliser at home or any form of disability benefit?

She currenlt gets pension that's all. Any advice would be really appreciated

As Tehya says, get help to claim AA and ask for a benefit check. She may be entitled to Pension Credit as well.

Ask AgeUK about day centres. Even if it's only once a week, it's good to know she has been taken out of the house, had a good meal and some company.

Ask Social Services for an assessment. Make sure that there is someone else there when they come round because older people often underestimate the amount of help they need/are getting from other people.

Ask for an assessment from the Occupational Therapists. They will be able to suggest things that will help around the house and may provide some aids for free if she doesn't have a lot in savings. They will also help with claiming grants towards a stair lift but grant money is very tight and there may be a long wait.

If your Mum was ever in the services (or her husband was), look at the forces charities - SSAFA and the Royal British Legion. Some types of jobs also have charities that support ex-workers so there might be some grant money available there.

sheeps68

Most mebulisers have to be purchased privately although some hospitals will prescribe. However the question to ask first is does she need nebulised medication and who prescribes it. There is no point in getting a machine if not prescribed the drugs. The next question is what time of machine. A home neb runs off the mains and really only useful for planned regular drugs. If she needs to travel with it there are a variety of portable machines with some being better than others. My portable nebs are life savers literally and give me a life although my issue is not COPD but severe asthma that can turn in a split second.
To make life easier a stool in the kitchn helps, cook for several days at a time and reheat. Nicer and healthier than ready meals. Maybe a bath board for the bath.
I'd also ask GP if there is a community respiratory team that can offer advice. I found out about them years after problems started. I'd ensure she knows about pacing herself.

teabag29

Thanks guys for all the advice. Have since found out that mum has nodules on her lung and she is awaiting a ct scan for that too. I am about to fill in the attendance allowance forms but I have a concern, perhaps somebody could answer for me?

On the form I obviously have to list all her illnesses however, she isn't aware of the severity of her lung problems and so how do I get round this? Obviously it needs to go on the form but we dont want her to find out just yet because she will only worry herself silly. Will they disclose this to mum or is there any way they can keep this confidential and not disclose it to her if I write a note on the form explaining the situation?

Mojisola, my dad was in the war and when he died 13 years ago mum received war widows pension (not sure if this is what she still gets or if its now just standard pension).

Thanks for all the info on where/how to get help guys. I'm gonna look into it all this week bit by bit and see if we can get some help for her