Accommodation for the blind

[maslinpan]

DM is early 80s, fairly healthy but almost completely blind. She currently lives in a large terrace which has lots of stairs and is much too big, she is constantly getting lost indoors. She has live in care 24 hrs a day, but has suddenly decided she needs to move somewhere much smaller and on one level. There is no way she can cope without carers. Has anyone got any insights on what kind of accommodation might be feasible for her? She has plenty of capital, and is based in North London. The key problem is her sight, I have no idea if a normal care home is even a possibility. The RNIB used to have a few specialist homes, but they are few and far between. Where do I start??

housingcare.org/housing-care/facility-info-159670-bradbury-oak-house-east-dulwich-england

Also if you search "care homes for visually impaired" there are loads that come up that say they cater for visually impaired people, it's just a case of looking through them and filtering out the ones in the right location.

Does the RNIB have a helpline? I imagine they've a few bright ideas, even if they don't have space in a specialist care home.

RNIB do indeed have a helpline. I think there might be a big difference in a care home for blind and visually impaired people and care homes that will cater for blind and visually impaired people.

If you do go to care homes to have a look, ask them things like what activities they do and how often. When was the last time they cared for someone who is blind. What sort of facilities would they have for her?

Sorry, pressed post too soon.

Would a retirement village suit her do you think? My DM lives in one. You have your own flat and carers can be paid for. There are also pull cords usually where she can call for some help, say if she falls.

I've just found this from the RNIB which might help.