How long for a decision on household adaptations?

[Champagneforeveryone]

DH has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's, not a huge surprise and has actually opened up a raft of resources that weren't available to us before now that we have a name.

DH is VERY routine driven (with previous undiagnosed ND which was also picked up at assessment) As a result of this he is very routine driven and showers every morning. In 20 years I could count on two hands the amount of times he hasn't showered without a good reason, like going to the barbers and wanting to shower after.

I'm obviously extremely keen that this continues and that he's able to remain independent as long as possible. We live in a new build house with a high narrow bath with a shower over. Neither of us ever bath and it's always been our intention to remove the bath and replace it with a large shower cubicle. We've not been able to afford it so have let it go as a "for the future" job.

DH has been classed as a "high falls risk" and is very unsteady on his feet. He already struggles with the height of the bath and with a recent broken shoulder was unable to access it without significant help from me.

We are awaiting assessment from SS with a view to adaptations, but there's obviously a list of things they need to exhaust first before they will agree to fund fitting a shower. The first idea is a bath board which I'm certain will not work due to DH's abilities and the set up of the bathroom. We've remained on board and have said that we're keen to try it, however I'm 99.9% it won't work. I had previously already planned to remove the bath myself (DH used to be a plumber and we have renovated several houses ourselves so it's not a big ask. More that I have other things in my mind just now)

Does anyone have any experience how long the assessment period is likely to take? We've been advised that he qualifies for funding, but the longer it goes on the greater the opportunity for him toppling out the bath and making the situation 100 times worse gets. I work full time shifts so cannot be around regularly to make sure he's able to shower safely and independently every day. I can do the conversion myself if I source items from Marketplace (this wouldn't be an issue for us, we've done it before) and I'm tempted to think this is the best way to ensure DH is safe. OTOH I am wary of appearing "too capable"
so early in our journey.

Any advice on timeframes or the best way to approach SS would be greatly appreciated 🙂

SS were super quick for my mum. And they didn’t seem at all phased when we had already gotten ahead (eg fitting a stairlift because we had just left it too long to contact SS). Just reach out and see what they say. They were very pragmatic and supportive. And the seeming too capable thing isn’t really a thing. They just met my mum and dad right where they were.

Thank you @Makingsenseofitall that's really reassuring. I'm hoping the OT will be out in the next week or so and we can have a frank conversation from there 🙂

In our area you would be looking at a year minimum. The entire equipment provider for the local NHS has gone bust and currently it’s a struggle even to get bath boards etc - we are having to ask people if they can buy them. I’d try to pin the OT down hard on social services contact details and how long the last adaptations took.