How do you go about getting adaptations for a house?

[Gelatibon]

I'm currently sitting in Mum's living room while she and an ambulance crew are upstairs with Dad. I'm not sure what will happen or how ill he is, but I'm filling the time wondering what I can do to help.

He's been unwell with reducing mobility and a lot of pain for a while (81yo). He's so far refused any adaptations on the basis they're not needed because he will get better, and of course he has mum running around after him. She also suffers some pain after a broken hip, but is much more stoic.

Whilst waiting for the ambulance, mum has finally agreed that it's time to make whatever adaptations can be made to make everyone's life easier are put in place. Also that making life less difficult now won't stop any recovery. They can pay whatever it costs. Where would we start finding out what is needed/what can be done?

Contact your local social services and ask for an assessment from an occupational therapist- they will identify what’s needed and may be able to provide or fund some of it. Some things are financially assessed. They may be able to advise on some benefits too.

Adult social services would be the first call. They could arrange an OT to look at the house and advise on rails, handles etc.

Would they consider moving to a bunaglow? Is there a downstairs bathroom in their current house? Are the stairs wide enough for a stair lift?

DH's FIL had a stroke last year. He is now bedbound with carers. Social services have provided a hospital type bed and a wheelchair. MIL has asked about a bathroom adaption so they can wheel him on a commode to shower, but was told the wait to be assessed for bathroom renovations is very long.

Stairlift?
We got one put in in under 2 weeks when DM broke her hip. You can get companies that fit reconditioned ones.

Accessible bathroom?
We got bath removed and replaced with walk in shower and half height doors so carers could help without getting wet.

Grab handles.

Elderly Parents board here on MN is very helpful.

Adult social services - they can provide alit if help and support .

Also worth contacting your local carers centre to see what support and advice they can offer you and your Mum, not just on this but on all aspects of being / becoming unpaid carers.

Hope your Dad makes a good recovery.

I'd start with accessible bathroom with walk in shower, grab rails, and stair lift.
Place furniture strategically so they can use it for support to get round the house.
Remove rugs and anything else they can trip over.
Also think about walking aids - some great ones around which incorporate bags and seats so they can still get out.
If they have room maybe also a mobility scooter

In a very similar situation a few weeks ago, following my father’s fall in the night and four hours on the floor. An assessment and rehabilitation team visited the next day and we’ve now got a hospital bed downstairs with a commode next to it, a perching stool in the utility room so that carers can wash him and a walking frame. We couldn’t fault the service at all. It’s de-risked the situation considerably now that he’s not using the stairs and the commode means no more dashing to the loo and tripping up.

Ask your local council for an OT assessment, they will look around her home and suggest aids and adaptions to help( and provide them)
im disabled and my OT was amazing.
I’ve had a Wetroom and adapted kitchen, perching stools, and safety bar next to the toilet.
im currently sat in a riser recliner which I was given too
Im 60 and have Moderate Cerebral Palsy.

You mentioned reducing mobility - GP can refer to community therapy teams (NHS) who can visit at home and provide equipment/adaptations but as well as this can provide physio type stuff like balance assessment, walking aids and exercise programmes. Certainly round here the council only offer the OT bit so worth a chat with the GP.

The ambulance service cancelled refer to community teams as well, or if he's admitted/goes to ED the hospital can.

Hope he's doing ok @Gelatibon