General Chat

We got a good well priced mobility scooter from them

They also do mobility ramps


http://www.betterlifehealthcare.com/browse/mobility-ramps/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-NeD14fT1wIVA54bCh1-Rw4QEAAYAiAAEgLr0_D_BwE

Thanks Rollo, as far as I recall when the council did the ramp for my mum it took about 4 or 5 months from application to completion, and it was a job well done.

I'll print off the info from the link that Kucinta posted and send it to friend, then she will have it front of her if she can be persuaded to contact the council. I'll keep the link myself, the way my knees are going I may need it sooner rather than later!

Kucinta has it on the button for funding.

My OH needed a wet room which went from a proposal to a finished job in about a year. It was not means tested in any way but it was ok to add to the pot so as to get a neater job. We had to sign an undertaking to repay if we moved within five years.

I don't see why a ramp could not be funded in the same way, much safer than d-i-y.

Thanks Inky1, certainly worth knowing about that site. It would have to be a long ramp as the slope would need to be very gradual, she is able to walk with care but is unsteady, and will need rails to the sides . Ideally she needs what we used to have, so I will push her to try for that, ( lol not literally!)

Some three years ago I installed 2 ramps for elderly relatives. One of whom required a wheelchair. They were both bought from this company.

https://www.theramppeople.co.uk/premium-non-folding-wheelchair-ramps

Earlier this year I made (ie diy) a wooden ramp for a near neighbour for her daughter who uses a wheelchair. You do not state the needs of your friend. Is she a wheelchair user or possibly can manage to walk a ramp, but not able to get up/down steps?

The latter may also require installation of (safety) handrails? And for both the ramp slope needs to be considered. And therefore its length and the available area.

If only :-)

Emma, I've often said if I could get all these ladies I know to move close to each other it would help a lot lol, they'd be good company and could share home shopping deliveries etc :-)

That is a shame Rose as you could have been able to help if she
lived beside you.
Not much you can do if she won't accept strangers help either.

Emma unfortunately she's not local or I could do more, we're about 2 and a half hours away by train and taxi just to get there.

I've not been able to get up there this year and really she needs someone on the spot to deal with it all for her, but at the same time isn't one to want strangers around to help.

My goodness Rose that is terrible, I would be lost without my aids
to help me and have the OTs to thank for them.

If your council were to have a look surely they would
sort it out, she can't be left like that.

Emma, thereby hangs a tale ;-)

Friend decided, rather than approach the council which I suggested over 6 months ago, to get her friend's OH who is a landlord in the area to get his 'team' to put a ramp from side door to car port while they have been there replacing a window that was lose.

They have put in the window ok, though making a lot of un-necessary mess in the process apparently, they also fixed the garage doors ok, fair enough.

But instead of putting in a ramp they have cobbled together another wooden step to go below the two concrete steps down and two wooden posts to hold onto, totally useless to her as the steps are the problem in the first place...she is distraught and now can't even get down at all as they have removed the wall grip that she could at least cling to before Now they have disappeared of on other important jobs for the landlord leaving the mess behind them :-(

Don't know about your council in England Rose, but a joiner or someone who lays slabs could help.
I have my own house and not on benefits.

I could not handle going down stairs to get to my back garden, too high,
so got decking made level from kitchen door and patio doors to help.
Also man who laid slabs at front of house to build up level from steps
and make it a ramp shape for easy access for me.

Some ideas for your friend that may help also OTs would help. :-)

Thanks Sharron...it is a balancing act, because as with many elderly people she is reticent about any 'interference' and it's stressful to her when the social services etc get involved. It took a good few weeks to get an occupational therapist out after friend had been in hospital, and longer to supply her with just a walking aid.

Although it was all done for me while Fred was still in hospital, I think it might be worth contacting Social Services as they know where to go to get what might be necessary. Other things may be available in home as well and, if it works out cheaper than putting somebody into care, they will view it all favourably.

Thankyou Kucinta, that sounds just what is needed, I will read and pass on the info. :-)

Thanks Shirley, she did try Age Concern locally for something else and they were about as useful as a chocolate teapot :-D

When my mum was alive we had a ramp fitted, organised by the council, but that was 20 years ago so I've told friend to ask the council if that's still the case. Whether she will or not is another thing!

Might be worth reading this page?

https://www.disability-grants.org/disabled-facilities-grant.html

"What is a Disabled Facilities Grant or DFG?
A Disabled Facilities Grant or DFG is available from Local Authorities to pay for essential housing adaptations to help disabled people stay in their own homes.
It is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland..."

"What does it pay for?
The grant is able to pay for changes the council consider essential for the disabled person to live an independent life. The changes must be "necessary to meet your needs" and the work must be "reasonable and practical" gov.uk website."

Not a ramp but when hubby was agreeable to consider a chair lift I contacted Age Concern (he already went to one of their day care facilities)

They put me in touch with one of the contractors they endorse for a no commitment quote.
It really was a no hard sell and they had to have a set charge with no extras for the type you wanted. It was take it or leave it no bother but if you could get like for like elsewhere they would match the price

Age Concern did double check after the installation to check we had no problems with the way of the quote and the quality of the lift

Dont think for a ramp the council needs to give planning consent but it may be worth checking first

They may also give you a trusted contact or even do the job and charge for it

you can also buy removable ramps

Anyone have recent experience of having a ramp installed? I'm trying to advise housebound friend in her 80s who needs a ramp to get out of her back door now. It's her own house not council.

What I really want to know is whether approaching the council is likely to be the way to go ? irrespective of who pays for it ( she's not on benefits).

I'd be grateful if anyone has advice :-)