What help is available for a temporary disability?

silvercar

Unfortunately I have fractured my pelvis while on holiday abroad.

I am now home and wonder what help is available and how to access it. I have crutches supplied by the hospital overseas and that's it. A friend has offered the loan of a wheelchair, but our home isn't really set up for wheelchair use.

Currently I can just about get around on crutches, nervously managing the stairs. OH works from home 3 days a week, so I am only home alone 2 days and friends will visit. 

I have a stable fracture, no operation required; google reckons 6-8 weeks on crutches, 9-12 months to full recovery.

elsien

What sort of help were you thinking you needed? Practical, financial? 

You probably need to see your GP here now you’re back to discuss what happens next.

silvercar

elsien said:

What sort of help were you thinking you needed? Practical, financial? 

You probably need to see your GP here now you’re back to discuss what happens next.

I doubt I would be entitled to financial help.

I want to access whatever services could aid my recovery - physio?

Is there such a thing as a temporary blue badge? When I am able to go in a car, I doubt I can manoeuvre myself between cars easily on crutches.  

elsien

Physio would need a GP referral. 

The blue badge would be discretionary, so you would need to check with your local council as regards to their criteria.

beanielou

Sometimes you can self refer for physio.
Or maybe consider private physio which is sometimes better as they can do hands on.
A occupational therepy assessment may well be helpful too.

binao

GP.  And council adult social care.

Many years ago I broke an ankle and two young ladies came round and the next day delivered all sorts of aids., even a frame to support bedding etc.

 The best way to negotiate the stairs is on your backside. Not sure if a broken pelvis would  be different. 
Up and down crutches and some string.

 Good look.

Savvy_Sue

Red Cross also loan equipment, and will assess eg the right size and kind of wheelchair 

prettyandfluffy

Ask your GP to contact Occupational Health (Social Services) on your behalf, they should be able to send someone out to assess your needs and arrange for equipment etc. to make your life safer and easier.

Indie_Kid

prettyandfluffy said:

Ask your GP to contact Occupational Health (Social Services) on your behalf, they should be able to send someone out to assess your needs and arrange for equipment etc. to make your life safer and easier.

You can self refer 

HillStreetBlues

You won't get a Blue Badge for a period of 6-8 weeks while you are on crutches, for that kind of time period they expect you to make short term adjustments.
Like everything there seems to be a waiting list, you might be lucky in your area, but as equipment goes, you might get it after you no longer need it.
I just waited 3 months for physio got some excises do,  when back 3 weeks later said keep doing exercises and come back in 4 months, so unless you pay, don't expect much.

prettyandfluffy

Indie_Kid said:

prettyandfluffy said:

Ask your GP to contact Occupational Health (Social Services) on your behalf, they should be able to send someone out to assess your needs and arrange for equipment etc. to make your life safer and easier.

You can self refer 

Yes, you can; but a GP can request an urgent or expedited response.  I waited 10 months after a self-referral, asked my GP and got the visit within 2 days.