Add a downstairs WC if possible.

Boohoo

GDB2222 said:

I’ve just had a new kitchen priced up by B and Q. Cabinets, worktops etc were £1700. Fitting £3500.

 That’s without any new appliances, but I assume Dad would be happy to keep his existing appliances? If so, cost might be comparable. A builder could possibly do the work more cheaply. 

My FIL would need a new cooker as it's 20 odd years old plus a new one would have to be built in as they are higher up so he would not have to bend down so much.

FIL only has fridge, cooker, washing machine and microwave as tall freezer is in the dining room.

OutdoorQueen

Consider looking at and applying for Attendance Allowance.  It’s not means rested. The money from this could then help towards any extras.

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/attendance-allowance

Also, I would suggest future proofing the new toilet area.  Consider a raised toilet and also look at handrails or a frame. I would also ensure you have space to transfer from a wheelchair, in case this is needed at a later date. Also make sure door is wide enough.     

An Occupational Therapist would be able to advise further as to the different options available.  You may be able to get a referral via the Parkinson’s Nurse or your local County Council Adult Social Care team.  

Boohoo

OutdoorQueen said:

Consider looking at and applying for Attendance Allowance.  It’s not means rested. The money from this could then help towards any extras.

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/attendance-allowance

Also, I would suggest future proofing the new toilet area.  Consider a raised toilet and also look at handrails or a frame. I would also ensure you have space to transfer from a wheelchair, in case this is needed at a later date. Also make sure door is wide enough.     

An Occupational Therapist would be able to advise further as to the different options available.  You may be able to get a referral via the Parkinson’s Nurse or your local County Council Adult Social Care team.  

Thank you for that info.

He is having some people come to his house in December (no dates yet) to assess him and do a memory tests to see if he is worse or the same.

One of his neighbours had MND and it took them nearly 2 years to get a wet room installed via local council grant and 10 days after completion he died. I know these things take time and I will get the missus to look at AA claim for him.

Bigphil1474

OP, whilst DFG's are means tested, it's not a given he wouldn't get anything as it's based on income and a tariff income from savings. I don't deal with it myself, but it's not impossible that he could get some help. It's also worth getting some input from the assessment team as they will have seen it all before. I'd recommend at least getting in touch with them.

Section62

Boohoo said:

...
My FIL has been diagnosed with Parkinson's a few months back and has other ailments and is struggling with the stairs so has been using the sink as toilet for number 1's. He also has a son live with him who has mobility issues due to a stroke four years ago.
...

Sorry to raise a sensitive subject, but is there a plan for where your BIL will live when your FIL is no longer with us?  I.e. will he continue to live in the FIL's house, or will that be sold to share FIL's estate between siblings?

The reason for asking is if both of them have mobility issues then continuing to live in a property which is problematic for people with mobility issues might not be the best solution - spending the bulk of the FIL's savings on adaptations which don't add much to the overall value of the property (and which might in fact reduce the value) may not make sense.

You (as a family) also need to bear in mind the disruption and dirt created by building works - doing anything major to a house makes it difficult to live in when you are fit and healthy, but more so if you are unwell or less mobile.  Could FIL and BIL move out for between two weeks and a month while the building work is done?

Obviously the option of moving depends whether there are more suitable properties in the area, and what they'd cost relative to the value of his property. But spending some of his savings moving to a more suitable property could be a more effective use of his resorces.

Clearly that would be a big decision to make... and I suspect the initial response might be another 'NO NO NO'.  But perhaps he would be more willing to give the idea some consideration it it were presented as being for the long-term benefit of your BIL as well?  If his health were to deteriorate further as well then they could be in a position of trying to fit two people into ground-floor-only living in a property which really isn't set up for that.

Boohoo

Section62 said:

Boohoo said:

...
My FIL has been diagnosed with Parkinson's a few months back and has other ailments and is struggling with the stairs so has been using the sink as toilet for number 1's. He also has a son live with him who has mobility issues due to a stroke four years ago.
...

Sorry to raise a sensitive subject, but is there a plan for where your BIL will live when your FIL is no longer with us?  I.e. will he continue to live in the FIL's house, or will that be sold to share FIL's estate between siblings?

The reason for asking is if both of them have mobility issues then continuing to live in a property which is problematic for people with mobility issues might not be the best solution - spending the bulk of the FIL's savings on adaptations which don't add much to the overall value of the property (and which might in fact reduce the value) may not make sense.

You (as a family) also need to bear in mind the disruption and dirt created by building works - doing anything major to a house makes it difficult to live in when you are fit and healthy, but more so if you are unwell or less mobile.  Could FIL and BIL move out for between two weeks and a month while the building work is done?

Obviously the option of moving depends whether there are more suitable properties in the area, and what they'd cost relative to the value of his property. But spending some of his savings moving to a more suitable property could be a more effective use of his resorces.

Clearly that would be a big decision to make... and I suspect the initial response might be another 'NO NO NO'.  But perhaps he would be more willing to give the idea some consideration it it were presented as being for the long-term benefit of your BIL as well?  If his health were to deteriorate further as well then they could be in a position of trying to fit two people into ground-floor-only living in a property which really isn't set up for that.

Q1. BIL and my partner will get the house and the other useless sponger will get a third of which he has had nearly all that now 

Q2. BIL intends to live there until he dies unless he gets bad but at the mo he copes ok. Something to think about for the future.

Q3. Useless other son makes excuses about not being able to see FIL and when mentioned about FIL staying for a week that was met with we can't and other excuses. At the moment he is still getting used to the meds and seeing other medical people for appointments it's hard to find a few days for him to get away anywhere. 

Q4. He/we have looked at bungalows near him but most are more than he would get for his house and I am not sure the upheaval would be good for him.

Q5. We don't live near them but if there's an issue we will get there but what you have said does make sense but you can take a horse to water but you and you know the rest.

OutdoorQueen

Boohoo said:

OutdoorQueen said:

Consider looking at and applying for Attendance Allowance.  It’s not means rested. The money from this could then help towards any extras.

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/attendance-allowance

Also, I would suggest future proofing the new toilet area.  Consider a raised toilet and also look at handrails or a frame. I would also ensure you have space to transfer from a wheelchair, in case this is needed at a later date. Also make sure door is wide enough.     

An Occupational Therapist would be able to advise further as to the different options available.  You may be able to get a referral via the Parkinson’s Nurse or your local County Council Adult Social Care team.  

Thank you for that info.

He is having some people come to his house in December (no dates yet) to assess him and do a memory tests to see if he is worse or the same.

One of his neighbours had MND and it took them nearly 2 years to get a wet room installed via local council grant and 10 days after completion he died. I know these things take time and I will get the missus to look at AA claim for him.

They might also be able to long term loan small bits of equipment, eg perching stool, toilet frame, bed raisers, bed lever to help turn.  My dad has quite a bit from the OT and we can ask for a review when situation changes.    In some areas, grab rails are fitted free of charge, for those with health conditions, because they prevent falls.   

GDB2222

Equity release mortgages are an expensive way to raise money, but that’s a possible solution to financing the work required. Or, simply all family members dig into their pockets a bit if Dad is only a little bit short of what’s needed.

Working_Mum

I know this might sound a bit random but how long is the hallway?? Is moving the doorway into the lounge down the hallway a little bit, close up the kitchen door and make a downstairs loo in that space an option?? The loo door would be off the hallway. and could give enough space to navigate a loo and sink - maybe even a small shower??

You'd potentially have to install a new door to the kitchen from the dining room and that may give the opportunity to freshen things up there too.

I closed up a doorway from my hallway and it opened up lots of space (relatively!).

Good luck, I hope you get something sorted for him.

WM