Options for housing my elderly mother

dx052

My mothers in her late 80's and wants to move into a bungalow as she says she cant cope with the stairs anymore and isn't very mobile. When I took a glance at Rightmove I noticed there isn't much properties were she would like to live and they are not cheap. Is it a bit late in the day to moving from one home into another? Is a bungalow a possible short term fix? and are retirement proprieties an option? although I am not looking to my my mother into care. I am thinking this could be a logistical nightmare as I would be doing it pretty much single handed. Is a stair lift a fair option? Thanks

lincroft1710

My father moved into a bungalow when he was 86. Retirement properties such as those built by McCarthy and Stone (other developers are available) are suitable for those with limited mobility, they are not care homes.

Stairlifts are a possibility, but are not cheap. If the house is too large for her anyway, this would only be a partial fix. She may be eligible for warden controlled local authority or housing association bungalow/flat.

Linton

I dont think Rightmove is the best place to look. Warden controlled bungalows and retirement complexes are the best bet I would have thought. Both these would have the advantage of ensuring she doesnt get too isolated. Even though she is presumably self-funding it could be worth talking to the local council social services to find out what's available.

PasturesNew

Age is immaterial - mobility/functionality and mental faculties are key to deciding what's best.

I'd say it's best to try to get into special warden controlled bungalows in a little complex - but they can be as rare as hen's teeth. Investigate all the housing options in your area, as they are different in every area.

I phoned up Guinness about their complex once - and was told to apply but it could be a loooooong wait. I did apply and then got a letter just 1-2 months later offering me a viewing - it was too late by then as things had changed dramatically - but from the initial phone call I didn't hold out any hope for years to be honest.

Ask everybody/locally what's about, what's where - how places are run, how you get them, how much are costs ... then take a walk round the areas too.

In my opinion stairlifts are to be avoided, especially if somebody's not insisting on staying in their own home until they're carried out feet first ... they are very expensive, then there's maintenance, I'm sure they can cause issues if any forgetfulness sets in - and, ultimately, when it's time to sell the house it all has to be stripped out and nobody wants to buy them from you, all at a time when you're trying to organise the house to get it on the market (preferably without the stairlift in the photos as that will be offputting to some people to even see it in situ).

She'll ideally need to be "around people just like her" - with access to options and choices. e.g. where do the local old age clubs/Age Concern centres, church lunches operate from - and do they do a minibus pickup and where is on their route?

moneyistooshorttomention

I guess it depends to some extent on the price of stairlifts.

I'd not thought they cost that much and, if I hazarded a guess, would say around £1,000.

But I may be wrong on that of course....so I dont know if anyone has had one put in recently and would know what they were charged for it?

sparky130a

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I guess it depends to some extent on the price of stairlifts.

I'd not thought they cost that much and, if I hazarded a guess, would say around £1,000.

But I may be wrong on that of course....so I dont know if anyone has had one put in recently and would know what they were charged for it?

... And the rest!

Try £1300 and that's before install.

Mojisola

Depending on the staircase and the walls at the top and bottom of the stairs, it may not be possible to fit a stairlift.

My parents found theirs very useful - my Dad used to say that it gave them the upstairs back. Before it was installed, they came down in the morning and usually managed not to have to go back upstairs until bedtime. Afterwards, they could nip up and down whenever they needed to.

Concerned75

Depends how much money you've got which is the factor of what you want and what you can get.

Rodders53

This all depends on the existing house and if access to it and garden are easy/difficult. If all is easy and stairs are straight then a stairlift may be an option? Plus a ramp and handrails, if needed to the door(s) and in bathrooms/toilets.

We recently (Sep 16) had a simple, but good quality, straight lift installed by an independent retailer for £2.5k including 5 years warranty, annual service and emergency call-out support. This one motors the seat into a position for alighting at the top of the stairs. Cheaper ones are manual swivel which is less than ideal as that movement needs some physical strength (so do look for this feature). It's not always used every day but is a godsend when needed. (Which reminds me, I've still not had a ride on it!) Search for places that can demonstrate units for 'hands on' experience by Mum.

Bungalows are always more expensive than houses for the same floor area in the same locality. Which (sort of) is how we ended up with a house this time, moving from a bungalow in another area.

They occupy too much land for modern developers so are in really short supply. Others buy them to develop into houses because of the larger garden space. So those that need / want them for what they are (single storey living) are unable to buy!

IMHO Avoid retirement complexes - too many seem to charge a premium price and then large 'fees' for re-selling when the inevitable happens. Unless you go into them with eyes wide open having read the contracts etc.,. in detail.

Should you find a suitable smaller bungalow in the area your Mum wants to stay in, then the actual moving process should be pretty simple. All decent removers offer a packing service so - other than a major de-clutter and sort out starting today - it can all be taken care of by them. The extra costs are not unreasonable, either!

xylophone

Would a ground floor flat be a possibility?

sparky130a

dx052 wrote: »

My mothers in her late 80's and wants to move into a bungalow as she says she cant cope with the stairs anymore and isn't very mobile. When I took a glance at Rightmove I noticed there isn't much properties were she would like to live and they are not cheap. Is it a bit late in the day to moving from one home into another? Is a bungalow a possible short term fix? and are retirement proprieties an option? although I am not looking to my my mother into care. I am thinking this could be a logistical nightmare as I would be doing it pretty much single handed. Is a stair lift a fair option? Thanks

Where to start...

Budget?
Location?
Transport?

Bungalow's are out there, but it depends where, and at what price.

The parents moved about two years ago and have a stunning place in Devon. But they both drive, and frankly where they are need to.

Logistics aside i'd say your mother needs a sense of community around her. It's so often underrated.

Anyway, i guess a stairlift is an option. But how open to a move is your mother?