Forced to live in one room?

[SausageMonkey2]

AIBU that this is a shocking situation in 21st century Britain.

So my mum just had an above the knee leg amputation so is in a wheelchair.

When she went into hospital she had full use of both of her legs, could climb stairs, hang out washing etc etc.

Now she is in a position where she is fit enough to leave hospital as she no longer needs “medical” care but she needs help with personal care / has no downstairs washing or toileting facilities (or bedroom).

Her doors are too narrow to get through in her chair. But she isn’t ambulatory at all.

She will be brought home by ambulance and the fire brigade notified.

She will have to use a commode in the one room she will be put in - with no ability to empty it herself. The same room as she will eat, sleep and live in.

Because she gets more than £280 a week in pensions she has to fund it all herself - but essentially is willing to be wiped out savings wise (plus an extra £10k from us) to get alterations done so she can stay at home (she’s only 69 and there’s nothing wrong with her apart from she’s missing 3/4 of her leg).

OT (the third one we will have seen) can “come and assess for minor adaptations once she’s home” but she’s not willing to go
home if it means eating / pooing / sleeping in the one space.

AIBU that this is an affront to
dignity and respect in this day and age.

Could she move in with a family member while the work is being done.

@SausageMonkey2 - what makes you think she can't get carers?. You can have up to £23K in savings and Social Services may still pay. I know you say that she has income of £280 per week, but until a needs assessment is worked out and the cost of her needs is set against her income, how can you be sure that she won't get any help at all?

I assume she is being returned to her own property, so you need to be very clear that if she goes home, without any carers it is an unsafe discharge. You also need to be absolutely clear, that you cannot do everything that will be required for your Mum. SS will try to apply lots of pressure on you and the family to do all the caring or most of it and if they think you will they won't provide carers etc.

She needs to have a 'Needs Assessment' once she IS home by SS who will then be able to advise what help she needs and some equipment may very well be provided Free of charge

She should also hopefully get 6 weeks 're-enablement' carers coming free of charge when she is discharged. Although not every area of the country provides this currently - but make sure you enquire

As someone said above, don't let them Bully you and refuse to let her go home until it is safe for her to do so. Stand up to them

More difficult if she the Garage conversion is in your property, not hers , but the principal is exactly the same. Don't tell them that you can 'manage' or you'll get sod all help and eventually be on your knees trying to do it all

@SausageMonkey2 Sorry - just realised it is her Garage being converted. Missed that first time around when making my post

I would have thought the hospital would ask Adult Social Services to do an assessment before letting her go home which would include a free care package for 6 weeks. Does your hospital have a frailty unit where patients who aren't ill enough to be on a ward but not well enough to go home without help stay until they are properly assessed?

Also I thought you could go in a care home for 6 weeks free if you have less than £23,000 in savings. Or ask about rehabilitation centres which are also for people who aren't ill enough to be in hospital, but help them with physio etc to enable them to go back home.

But beware carer's allowance as if you go even 50p above the earnings limit, you have to repay the whole of the carer's allowance. This is why there has been so much on the news recently abut carers owing thousands of pounds.

You're right, this is not an acceptable or dignified way to live, but it is the standard they work to when arranging care for older people.

I've seen good care homes, but also ones rated CQC 'Good' with most residents living in one room with a room commode, getting no showers, mainly wet wipes for staying clean, and a bowl of luke warm water brought sporadically, but then towels having to be shared with several others (bleurgh) to reduce laundry costs, no working tv/radio in rooms, only in the inaccessible to most communal lounge, (room held 15 but 60 residents) and most fed on low budget food, on room trays.
People still stuck eating, pooping, washing, existing, in the same space. It wasn't malice, it was just money driven.
The days of 'absolutely thrived' in a care home may not be within the grasp of many these days.

Yeah it’s hers. When that is done, the house will be fit for her needs. It can be started in about 6 weeks.

She could move in with me, but I’m 150 miles away and then she wouldn’t have access to physio etc. not sure she could
tolerate the journey at the moment, she’s still in a lot of pain.

Agree with this though she is willing to go into any sort of accommodation that isn’t home. We are currently discussing if she could stay at a local hotel, and carers come to her there. She would then have a bathroom, bedroom and could eat in their restaurant.

She had a two week stay in a local care home for rehab when they thought they could
save her leg. They mismanaged her medication, name called and bullied her.

Advise the you need to be present during the 'discharge meeting.'

It is the norm sadly - essentially all do to funds

The community OT will itnally provide minior adaptations and this could inc door widening or not

if one owns their own home and qualifies for what are deemed 'major adaptations' - you will be financially assessed as well but not the case if you are renting

they will provide equipment and carers free of charge I think for a certain period

It is the norm

Have you applied for a disability facilities grant? These are for minor and major works....
The hospital OT usually starts the process although its slightly different process in each area..
This is available for anyone with needs...

We have been told not eligible for DFG due to £380 weekly income and £14kish in savings.

She won't be eligible for Attendance Allowance until she's needed help for 6 months.