Major adaptations

oxcat1

I've recently come out of hospital after an 8-week stay (over 100 hospital admissions in the past 10 years....) and I'm completely dependent on oxygen and unable to manage the stairs. my bed is now downstairs and I have carers coming in to help wash and dress. I am 34.

The Occupational Therapists who have been helping me have advised me to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant to see if I could get a downstairs washroom built - at the moment I have to wash in the kitchen sink. I understand that this is means-tested, and the amount of assistance varies depending on your income. However, I wonder if you could help with a couple of questions:

1) My husband and I have a combined income of around £21,000.00. Are we likely to receive any financial assistance?

2) I understand that a shower is likely to be the preferred option for the OT, but would it be possible to pay to get a bath installed as well? I prefer bathing when very short of breath and find it easier when I've got a PICC/Hickman/other form of line that needs to be kept dry, as I do now.

3) The space that would be turned into a washroom currently has the washing machine and hot water tank in, with a tiny toilet just off. Do you think it is likely that they would agree to making this a utility and washrooom combined, as there is really nowherre else that these could live?

I realise that any answers will only be based on your own experience, but all help much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

oxcat1

Any thoughts on either of my questions? Any info gratefully received!

Carmen8781

I would think you would have to pay the extra bit yourself, if you wanted to change it into a utility and washroom combined. They will only pay for the bare minimum. So they would pay for the shower and special floor covering, tiles , sink etc. If there is extra work turning it into a 'utility' . whether it be rewiring, electrics etc you have to fund that yourself out of your own money. And that will be between you and the builder.

On the bath thing I have no idea. Like you say the OT, would not recommend that. They are all 'wet rooms' now. For safety reasons. May be if you are desperate for a bath, get it done after the grant have done all the work. Then it’s your business.

I was lucky to get a DFG myself, I wanted a shower cubical, so it looked less sterile and clinical. But the OT said they won’t do that, in case in future you need to have a carer, they couldn’t get you in the shower. With a wet room shower they can. As it’s all on a level floor.

Best of luck with it all. The sooner you apply the better, as there is really long waiting list for DFG. It took a year from start of filling in the forms, to the end of building work, for me.

Rosemary_Jane

Can I recommend getting the Disability Rights Handbook?

There's a really useful section in there about the DFG. One thing I found out that although the law gives a strict time limit on giving the grant after the receipt of the application forms, your local council will put you on a waiting list to get the application forms (without telling you) and no, the OT request isn't the application form!!

When I found out, I'd wasted 18 months waiting. Then I got shirty, and got the work done pretty quickly after that - but you need a lot of energy, so I expect you'll need to get OH or outside help to be very proactive. Some friends of mine have only just had the work started on their child's extension, having been waiting over six years.

I also struck at having the cost put on as a charge on my house. The council will tell you that they have to put the cost on as a charge. I said no way, as the work was for a child I am fostering, and as she is life-limited, it is unlikely that the works will be needed for over five years which is the stipulation for paying it back. So the charge wasn't placed 'as a special concession'.

There's loads of really good stuff about the grant (including eligibility) - and other useful stuff in the handbook, I really recommend it. I've got each year's issue for the last five or so years, with 2 disabled sons and disability fostering, it's incredibly helpful; especially as many professionals don't know what they don't know.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1903335566/
http://www.radar-shop.org.uk/Detail.aspx?id=62

It's cheaper from the radar shop if you are claiming benefits (I know you say you have a higher income, OP, but others might be helped)
HTH Rosemary

Errata

3) The space that would be turned into a washroom currently has the washing machine and hot water tank in, with a tiny toilet just off. Do you think it is likely that they would agree to making this a utility and washrooom combined, as there is really nowherre else that these could live?

I think electrical equipment like a washing machine in a bathroom is a very big Building Regulations no-no.

Owain_Moneysaver

Errata wrote: »

I think electrical equipment like a washing machine in a bathroom is a very big Building Regulations no-no.

It's possible to have a washing machine in a bathroom subject to zoning i.e. how far it is from the bath - and in most cases it must be hardwired in not plugged in to a socket.

However if the room is a wet room them I think the entire room counts as the shower tray and Zone 1, so you couldn't have a w/machine in it.

If there is space then there are a number of suppliers of pre-fab pod bathrooms that can be craned into place (over the roof if necessary) and bolted onto the back of the house to make an instant extension.
http://www.portableoffices.co.uk/content/19-POD

oxcat1

Thanks so much for those replies, most of which are entirely new to me! Lots of reading to be done, so thank you. Can't imagine where the washing machine would go if it did have to be moved. All so much more complicated that I could have ever imagined!