Question about adapting homes for people with disabilities

Prit2037

Hi all,

I am looking for advise about my father, he has ataxia which is a condition which causes him to lose balance. The condition has worsened to the point where he is really struggling to get up and down stairs (which has resulted in a few bad falls). The local council has assessed the property but have confirmed it is not suitable for a stair lift due to the width, length and height of the stairs.

The property only has one bathroom and this is upstairs. Are my only options to relocate my parents to a new property (E.g bungalow) or one that has adequate width for a stair lift? They would struggle to downscale their property any further. Has anyone else been in this situation? And how did you overcome it?

Thanks

Sam_Alumni

There is lots of information about housing here @Prit2037

What area are your parents in? 

Prit2037

Hi Sam, they are based in Newcastle.

[Deleted User]

If the council can't give access to the upstairs - could they build a washroom downstairs? Check out Disabled Facilities Grants.  They'll do the minimum required to 'facilitate essential access to the home' - so whilst gardens etc are off the agenda, a place to wash and toilet are definitely essentials! Also @Jean_Merrilees may have something extra to add?

Sam_Alumni

@Stripes do you have any ideas?

Stripes

Hello Sam_Scope

Yes I can offer some general advice and guidance to Prit237. I would be able to help them build a case on why they need these adaptions to the house.

If they wish to drop me an email to Ian.jones@scope.org.uk with some contact details then I would be happy to help them compose a letter/email asking for the council to consider giving them a disability facility grant

Prit2037

Great. Thanks, I will get in touch now.

Thanks all for the advice.

Sam_Alumni

Fantastic! Thank you @Stripes

Hope this helps @Prit2037

Fundamentalist

Hi from Fm. What if you have severe misophonia? I bet you can't get a soundproof home! Fm.