to think holiday accommodation suitable for restricted mobility should be easier to find!

[UmamiMammy]

I'm going out of my mind trying to find a suitable holiday apartment for my parents. My father has restricted mobility and needs somewhere on the ground floor (or with a lift), parking close by, a walk-in shower and an armchair that isn't too low. They would like to have nice views across a harbour/river/waterfront.
I can't find one anywhere!!!! It's crazy...........the main issue is the furniture ..........so many places have really low modern sofas that immediately rule them out.
It shouldn't be this hard to find!!!
I can find websites for wheelchair friendly but they don't need hoists, wet rooms and wide doors.
Anyone know of a suitable property?

Booking.com and Hotels.com you can set the filter to your preferences

On air B&b you can filter for various access / mobility needs

Sandringham Hotel Isle of Wight
Think has lift
Beach View
Don't know your budget or preferred location ?
Then we can all help you

Most holiday cottage sites, you can filter your preferences too

If you hired a chalet, wooden lodge or static caravan, you would get more room to sit outside the bedroom

Are you saying your df does not need hoists, wet rooms and wide doors.?
Even if he does not need them
You can book that place as it will meet his needs in other ways
You don't have to use the hoist

If you book wheelchair friendly it will meet his needs
You not obliged to bring the wheelchair

Can’t help you out but I share your pain. One tip from when my mobility was severely restricted for a long period, check ALL of the facility is accessible. I’ve stayed in a B&B where I could access the accessible room but not the breakfast room or reception. Sadly not a one off.

www.booking.com/hotel/gb/mill-cottage-tunstall.en-gb.html

Something like this bungalow ?

It is hard - I need a free standing shower as I may not be safe climbing into a bath. I will take an accessible room but feel I am depriving someone who does need full wheelchair access and a wet room.

As the population in the UK ages I think hotels could get extra custom with rooms between fully accessible and “normal”. High backed chairs, some extra room, easy access shower. I suppose the risk from hotel POV is people booking and it not being suitable as they have more needs.

What shocks me in some places is that they don’t think I may want the things from other rooms. They pare back so much and take away bedside lights, maybe not have the same plug sockets. (I’m usually staying with others so compare rooms.)

www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cottages

Can filter to accessible & near seaside

Can view the bathrooms, furniture, etc

@Embracelife

If you book wheelchair friendly it will meet his needs You not obliged to bring the wheelchair

Unfortunately the ones I have looked at don't have suitable seating.... Low squishy sofas!!!

It's so frustrating that "accessible" has no standard meaning. I used the accessible filter on one site and it brought up penthouse flats with no lift 🙄

Can you arrange to hire a winged chair with arms to be delivered to the accommodation?Once you identify an area, search local Red Cross (who loan equipment) or speak to shops in the area who sell disability equipment who may either provide this service or be able to point you in the direction of someone who can.

Try joining some of the holiday cottage Facebook groups, you can post exactly your requirements & dates and only suitable properties will reply.

I have a holiday cottage but sadly not accessible, but I do provide a full Access Statement on my website in an attempt to allow people to make their own judgement.

I can't do low sofas and find this a problem wherever I go. I bought a very comfortable folding camping chair that is kept at my daughter's for when I visit. It is surprisingly stable and easy to get up from.

This is it, no longer available but something similar might do the job

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00YPQ645K?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

There is a huge gap in the market. My MIL has very low mobility, needs a hoist, has a profiling bed and a commode or large bathroom. It's very hard to find anywhere. Obviously all needs to be on the level as well!

I used the accessible filter on one site and it brought up penthouse flats with no lift 🙄

Yep. Loving all the “just use the filters” responses.

It is difficult, and made worse because it is really difficult to actually contact places to discuss what you needs. We have no end of trouble finding the right accommodation. It shouldn’t be so hard.

This is a brilliant Facebook group, there are loads of accessible accomodation owners and people are really helpful: www.facebook.com/groups/Accessible.hols.places.days/?ref=share&exp=3bcf

You could contact age uk - mum and dad have had loads of advice off them

[quote ClaireandTed]This is a brilliant Facebook group, there are loads of accessible accomodation owners and people are really helpful: www.facebook.com/groups/Accessible.hols.places.days/?ref=share&exp=3bcf[/quote]
Thanks...........just joined.

I know it's not what you're asking, but have you/your parents heard of elephant feet? They go under chairs or sofas to raise them to a more suitable height. My dad needs them on normal height chairs so he can stand up from them, and my parents carry a set any time they travel. They might help make more options a possibility - but you do need someone to be able to lift the furniture to put them underneath.

www.nrshealthcare.co.uk/bedroom-seating-aids/furniture-raisers/elephant-feet-pack-of-4?gclid=CjwKCAjwv_iEBhASEiwARoemvFRnBbQBOsDHbCdLc0wfNIOJhrS0-UfyFe6cm9LfWpWo88-PBQoLKBoC6jMQAvD_BwE

It’s a real problem. My darling sister had restricted mobility due to brain tumours and had to go into a nursing home in her 40s. (Single parent with two young teens who couldn’t cope).

She hated it so I’d take her away whenever possible. A lot of holiday homes say they are accessible because of ground floor bedroom and rails in the bathroom. Don’t mention three steps to the front and back door that we can’t get wheelchair into. Narrow doors that don’t accommodate wheelchairs.

Disabled friendly Hilton hotel room was well kitted out but no non accessible rooms nearby which meant I had to sleep on cushions on floor because she needed help for toileting and would also go wandering. (Radiotherapy induced dementia). It had advertised interconnected rooms.

We did get suction rails which were great if we had somewhere with smooth tiles. Didn’t work on textured tiles.

Filters don’t work because people do not understand accessibility.

www.vrbo.com/en-gb/p10796317?noDates=true&r=VERTICAL_GALLERY&uni_id=5826778

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have found a hotel that ticks all their boxes and the booking has been made