87 yo mil needs a stair lift or can’t come home

[MollysMummy2010]

We don’t have the money nor does she. What do we do?

Can't things be adjusted in her home so she can manage? Many elderly people in the same boat, move their bedrooms downstairs.

What's the back story? Who is saying this?

If she qualifies for funding the council can put one in but it's not a fast process. Can she have her bed moved downstairs?

Can you approach Social Services?

Has it been definitely ruled out that a bedroom downstairs would work? With a commode and carers?

Otherwise it might be approaching a charity or crowd funding for money.
Does she have any connection with armed forces? Any other impairments and you could seek out those charities - rnib/arthritis uk etc. Do you have a rotary club/age uk/church who may be able to offer direction/help/advice? Have you tried asking any stairlift companies for the price of reconditioned units or any finance/rental plans?
Not had a stairlift, but these are somethings I would start with. Hope someone else has some better ideas.

She is currently in hospital with a spontaneous broken hip. We live two hours away. She has a torn muscle in her shoulder which means she can't use her zimmer frame. She is totally refusing to have her bed moved. Not the easiest woman.

So she could be discharged to downstairs living but is refusing?

Well she doesn’t get a choice does she ! It’s move the bed or quite likely a care home. Can’t imagine she’ll be allowed to stay in hospital for long once medically fit. (So to speak given broken hip).

Has ot assessed as suitable for stair lift? Can she transfer on/off safely?

Bargebill19 yes she does. Her husband was in the Royal Navy.

@Mollysmummy2010 ssafa may help, but it would require the ot assessment to evidence it was safe and appropriate.

@ @MollysMummy2010 @MichelleScarn beat me too it!

@Bargebill19

Well she doesn’t get a choice does she ! It’s move the bed or quite likely a care home. Can’t imagine she’ll be allowed to stay in hospital for long once medically fit. (So to speak given broken hip).

This. Go in there, move her bed, make things look nice as possible and put her back.

Brush over her complaints with kind briskness.

"Oh dear I know, well that's how it is as you've been unwell! Now you're home and can get better!"

Sort of thing.

@MollysMummy2010

She is currently in hospital with a spontaneous broken hip. We live two hours away. She has a torn muscle in her shoulder which means she can't use her zimmer frame. She is totally refusing to have her bed moved. Not the easiest woman.

What does she think should happen then?

What does she want to happen?

Is there an option she goes to a rehab bed or temporary placement?

Is it a straight staircase? A straight stairlift is much cheaper, you can get a reconditioned one for around £800 near me. SS might rush through the stairlift if it's blocking discharge but depends on the council, and still likely to take weeks.

So what does she suggest?

We would like a stair lift, but our stairs are not wide enough. ( room for knees ) So that would be a problem, you just HAVE to move the bed downstairs or go into a home. She can't be a permanent bed blocker, especially with Covid now a days.

We had this with my mother in law. My parents in law ended up with a bed in the living room.

Your mother in law may not like it but if she can't move home and has to be discharged she may find her only option is a home...

If she doesn't have the money for one I would have thought she could get a grant? My mil had a stairlift paid for by the council (at least I think it was the council) Anyway, wherever the money came from she didn't have to pay anything at all.

Intermediate care it is then. Lots of physio until her social situation improves. Do not bring her home to your house.

She needs to apply for a grant via the OT at the hospital.

leave this with the hospital. From bitter experience, you can only get help if you don't help the person yourself. By leaving it with the hospital, they either have to sort out a rehab place or they have to go through procedures to get stuff installed. Absolutely do not bring her to your house - no authority will help her then, you and she will be totally fucked. By trying to do something kind, you give the state the excuse it needs not to help.

I know when MIL had a stairlift the local council fitted it, and then they took it back when it was no longer needed. They came out to assess the stairs etc.

We rented one for my mil. I think it's about £40 per month. They came to fit it and will come out to problems within the rental cost.

I had this same problem with my grandad. They kept him in hospital then moved him into a care home until we sorted downstairs living.
My gran changed it back two weeks later
They've now been told 4 years later the house is unsuitable for a stairlift. It's too narrow and he has Parkinson's and dementia so won't be able to use it.
I wish he'd stayed in the care home the way he and my gran try to livening that house os worrying but there's no telling them

I don’t think a stair lift is the answer as she is at risk of falling and needs to move downstairs anyway now.

Stay well back from this because she will only blame you for making her move downstairs and it’s not your fault.
Back away. All the best.