Help for my Mum.

stripey

My Mum has cancer and is having chemotherapy. Unfortunately she developed a rare side effect that caused her to have blood clots in her leg and sadly her leg has been amputaed.
SHe is a pensioner who lives alone in her own property.
My question is will she be able to stay in her own home?
She would be devaatated if she had to move as she is very independant and her life revolved around walking her dog.
I woudl be grateful for any advice from people who have experience of this type of situation.
We are all just in shock and worried about her future.Thanks.

Morglin

stripey wrote: »

My Mum has cancer and is having chemotherapy. Unfortunately she developed a rare side effect that caused her to have blood clots in her leg and sadly her leg has been amputaed.
SHe is a pensioner who lives alone in her own property.
My question is will she be able to stay in her own home?
She would be devaatated if she had to move as she is very independant and her life revolved around walking her dog.
I woudl be grateful for any advice from people who have experience of this type of situation.
We are all just in shock and worried about her future.Thanks.

If your mum has cancer, is she getting support from the MacMillan Service? They are very good with helping people to deal with agencies.

http://m.macmillan.org.uk/home

Give them a ring.

She needs to have a home assessment, to help with her remaining at home, so either ask the hospital to refer her, or you can phone your council (Adult and Disability Social work Team) so that they can come out and discuss her needs.

She can also claim Attendance Allowance, if she is not already getting it.

https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/overview

Lin

margaretclare

You haven't given any details of what her property is like. The question of whether she'll be able to remain in her own home will depend on what adaptations she will need and how she'll be able to cope with the limitations of her leg amputation. The OT/rehab people at the hospital will be the best people to advise you.

We've recently had to consider this because it was a distinct possibility that my DH would have an above-knee amputation. We live in a bungalow but even so, doorways are not quite wide enough to allow a wheelchair.

Will Mum be able to get into bed, will she be able to use her kitchen and bathroom? Practical considerations. She'll have excellent physio and rehab, if our local hospital is anything to go by. She'll be 're-educated' to walk, ultimately with a prosthesis. Motivation is everything. If she wants to get back home and walk her dog, that's the best motivation in the world.

stripey

Thanks for your replies.
My mum lives in a two up to down terraced house. Her stairs are very steep and go round a corner. It's an old house.
I've had a call from the OT who is doing a home assessment on Tuesday so hopefully they can advise on the next steps. I have been told that the ward have referred mum to a social worker and a physio is involved at the moment. I can't be with my mum all the time because I live miles away and don't drive.
Thanks again.

margaretclare

Steep stairs may be a problem, but it seems that everything is in hand. OT doing home assessment and everything is progressing. You can't do any more at the moment.

You don't drive, but does mum?

stripey

Yes my mum does drive.
Thanks for your help.

margaretclare

That's good. It will help to keep her mobile. Depends on kind of car, though. With an automatic, you don't need your left leg at all.

Savvy_Sue

stripey wrote: »

She would be devaatated if she had to move as she is very independant and her life revolved around walking her dog.

You say she'd be devastated because she's quite independent, but would she be better able to retain that independence in a different house, or a bungalow, or even a ground floor flat with a garden?

stripey

I think you are right really,a new place would probably be better for her. But she has lived in the same area all her life and its where all her friends are. She is very clear that she does not want to move area. It's just all too much to take in at the moment.

In February she was a fit and healthy 68 year old and now to put it simply she isn't and its hard for her and for me and my sister to take in.

janiebquick

First all, I am so sorry to hear about your mum. It is no wonder that you are all in a state of shock.

Secondly, I wouldn't rush into doing anything at the moment. Your mum needs to decide herself when she's ready to move. If she was fit and active before the treatment, then she will probably be willing to at least try and cope.

Good luck.

stripey

Hi and thanks for your reply.
My sister has spoken to the local disabled organisation in Oldham who have told her that any grants or funding to adapt my mum's house could take 6 months to a year to sort out.
Obviously that is too long - we don't even know what will happen in terms of the cancer as mum is refusing to have any more chemo.
I think you're right and we shouldn't rush into anything but my sister is so panicky currently and is worried that mum will be placed in a home or something like that.

We have talked about paying for the adaptations ourselves but for me that would mean remortgaging my home or getting a loan and I'm not sure I could afford it.
Thanks for reading this.