Aunty has a few weeks/months to live

[Belgianbuns]

I really need some advice. My aunty has terminal cancer and this year will certainly be her last Christmas. She lives alone is a first floor flat with no lift and is now pretty much home bound.as she could not manage to walk the stairs - going down is probably doable but no way could she get back up. She would love to visit the shops for a coffee or lunch and has mentioned seeing the lovely Xmas decks locally one last time. I would love to take her but how on earth would I get her back up? No lift, wide stairwell etc. Does anyone have any useful advice as to how I can do it. Been racking my brains but just cannot think of any suitable way or equipment. Thank you all

Is she in touch with Macmillan or the local hospice? They may gave some ideas. What a lovely thought. Hope you can make it happen

Hi so sorry to hear about your Aunty.

Has she had a continuing healthcare assessment or any input from local hospice services? They would be the first people I would contact. They should be able to advise you as to what care options she might be able to have and as part of that they should be able to support her with getting outside. Failing that your local council adult services may be able to help with adaptations and short term carers to help.

My mum died in March of bowel cancer and leading up to her death she became stranded upstairs as she was unable to make it downstairs and so carers from the short term adult services team at the council initially came in 3 times a day to help her and then she had the hospice help her move downstairs. She stayed downstairs for a few more weeks until she felt unable to manage and then continuing healthcare NHS assessed her and she was eligible for full nursing home funding and was moved to a hospice / nursing home for the remainder of her days.

Hi OP, does she have a Macmillan nurse? Perhaps they might know of a service that could help or perhaps occupational therapy could suggest equipment that could help improve her access to outside.

Mega is for the replies. Yes she has Macmillan nurses but unfortunately no one has come up with any way to get her out and about. It is the easy option to keep her home and all GP’s and nurses visit her there. I just want to get her out but cannot think of a way to get her up. It would literally be a case of lifting her unfortunately