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Unfamiliar with healthcare in UK
We are very concerned about my father-in-law. He lives, alone, in the UK. (His wife passed away last year). We live in the US and are his only family, to speak of, other than two nieces in Sweden. He has MD and gets around with GREAT difficulty, using two canes. He owns a small home there that has been fitted with a chair lift so that he can access his bedroom/bathroom. He is able to drive but I don’t know for how long. His doctor has advised him to consider an electric wheelchair. This would be of no use to him because it wouldn’t fit into his home. We can see his condition worsening and he is losing weight.
We don’t know anything about the healthcare system in the UK or what resources are available to him. We’re worried that he could suffer a catastrophic injury or illness that would make him unable to walk or care for himself. We’re also worried that his home may be unsuitable for the near future. Any information and guidance as to what steps we could take to advise him would be greatly appreciated.Re: Unfamiliar with healthcare in UKIt is difficult to give specifics but there are humorous NHS services available, some have to be paid for, some is subsidised and some is free, depending on his circumstances. There are grants and assistance available for adaptions to the home to help, even with such changes as using a wheelchair.
Does he see a Physiotherapist and/or an Occupational Therapist? They are the most connected and can give assessments and help with equipment and adaptions.
There are Regional Advisors who can help with information and assist in various ways, his local one can be located HERE
For general house maintenance and adaptions there is an organisation called “Care and Repair”, the one local to his will have lists of ‘trusted traders’ professionals who can help with home improvements etc.
I'm always the animal, my body's the cage
I blog about nothingness www.amgroves.com
Re: Unfamiliar with healthcare in UKWelcome Darla,
Sorry you have these worries, it must be difficult dealing with things from another country.
AMGmod has given you the exact people who will help your father. The Regional Advisors for MD were
vital in my case and experts in all aspects of MD.You worry ihis condition might get worse. Sadly MD is progressive and will get worse. We see the Americans
Hotly debating healthcare issues and many decrying Social Healthcare. Thankfully for your father the UK has
a fully Social Healthcare system with most medical services free at the point of delivery. He will get the
care he needs. Just a one off prescription charge of £ 7.85 for medicine (free for low incomes).Thanks for asking.
"Even if you are not paranoid, it does not mean they are not out to get you!".
Re: Unfamiliar with healthcare in UKThank you for your replies. This forum is very helpful and informative. Yes, he does see an Occupational Therapist, who has arranged for several adaptations to be made (adjust toilet seat, heighten sofa, provided walker, supplied kitchen chair…). These things have been very helpful but don’t address the question of how my father-in-law will be able to manage in the near future when he will no longer be able to get by with using canes. My father-in-law, like many of us, seems to be ignoring these concerns and living on a day to day basis. We don’t want to interfere too much, but would like to offer suggestions. One real concern is that if something were to happen suddenly, such as a fall or illness that prevented him from taking care of himself, would his healthcare provide him with a caretaker?
Re: Unfamiliar with healthcare in UKThat is moving more towards “Social Care”, where carers come to the house however often as is organised to help with washing, dressing, medications, meals and hot drinks etc. The Government Agency known as “Social Services” will likely assign him a social worker who can help with organising his care needs, often this is done by a private agency contracted to social service or his local council, it can be free or heavily subsidised depending of personal circumstances.
if living at home really truly is no long viable, there are several options, “Sheltered housing”, these tend to be flats or bungalows in a complex which have onsite emergency help if needed and can offer greater in-home assistance.
Then there is the residential/nursing care homes.
I appreciate that his next major hurdle is adjusting to using an electric wheelchair and you wonder how he is going to manage duly living.
There are private companies that offer a meal service, they deliver frozen meals which can then be microwaved – a very well mown one is Wiltshire Farm Foods
I'm always the animal, my body's the cage
I blog about nothingness www.amgroves.com
Re: Unfamiliar with healthcare in UKHi Darla1
We have a system called Lifeline here which is an alarm system that allows someone on their own to call for help. It comes either on a pendant worn round the neck or there are bracelets too. You press the button and you someone in a nearby centre will speak to you through a special unit connected to your phone line. The centre will have a list of contacts the user provides to attend or can call the necessary services e.g. Paramedics.
It gives me peace of mind, reduces anxiety about managing on your own. Different areas have different policies and system providers – which county in the uk are we talking about?
A learning experience is one of those things that say, “You know that thing you just did? Don’t do that.” - Douglas Adams
Re: Unfamiliar with healthcare in UKAgain, thank you for your posts. I apologize for writing such vague, random questions but we are new to this and don’t really know where to start. He lives in Buckinhamshire, near High Wycombe. He does have the Lifeline. The frozen meal delivery could really be useful to him. Where could I learn more about the “sheltered housing”? Is this usually a private community or one run by the healthcare system? That might be a very good option for him in the future.
Re: Unfamiliar with healthcare in UKIt is very good he has had input from the O.T services in his area. This shows he has
at some level been assessed and deemed in need of their services.These people or a social worker will be monitoring him and when appropriate he would
have further “assessment of needs”. If they feel he can manage at home with help from
the O.T.’s and the “Lifeline” that may be all he needs currently. There is even a “Falls Prevention Service”
that visited me and installed 20 safety grab-rails. Maybe instead of a stick a walking frame,
or a walking frame with a seat, or a mobility scooter. There are lots of options. Maybe
he just needs a nurse or care worker to visit periodically.If he was assessed by these qualified people as not being able to remain in his own home only
then would there be options like moving to a warden controlled flat or into full residential care
when he needs nursing care.If he has funds, he can pay for any of these options at any time. If not our system
will provide them at the time of need.The current theory is to keep people in their own home by providing support and it is
just wonderful that they do.Here is the website of Wiltshire Farm Foods http://www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com/
They are gorgeous food !"Even if you are not paranoid, it does not mean they are not out to get you!".
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