Compression stockings

I don't know if your mother-in-law has told them she won't/doesn't want to wear them? Or is it just that they are hard work and she would wear them but needs help?

If she would wear them if she was able to get them on then help is clearly the answer.
Someone with more knowledge of the benefits system will come along shortly but there are definitely funds available for this service if required and no money to pay.
It may be that she doesn't want to pay but has the cash...

As an aside, my mother in law just refused to wear hers "too hot too awkward, too uncomfortable". Eventually (ten days ago) she was sent to hospital for scans etc after a nurse in the eye clinic (!) noticed her legs.

They were getting much worse over a period but until the nurse told her to she wouldn't see a doctor about it.
Now, after scans she has been given medication for her heart which appears to have reduced the swelling dramatically. She is 99 and her legs have been getting steadily worse over three years or so.

Could she have a check-up maybe to rule out her heart? Does she know the root cause, is she on any medication for it?

Thanks NotSpaghetti. She has a heart issue and Lymphedema which is why they’ve been prescribed. She would wear them but, physically cannot get them on. I spent some time with her over Christmas trying to help her but it was just too difficult for her to do on her own.
She realises how important it is to wear them and is really worried that she can’t put them on. It’s not so much a matter of not being willing to pay it’s just that she worries about what seems to her be a huge additional outgoing every month. We’re also worried about how we go about choosing a carer. This is just something we have no experience of and it seems daunting.

I can see her problem Cloudscapel my husband has Lymphedema and has been wearing the stockings for several years and they are hard work to get on he is only 65 and still has very good upper body strength.
I don’t know much about the benefits system but could she not apply for Attendance allowance this would help with the cost of care. Perhaps talking to her GP would be a start or Age.Uk

Age UK have a UK helpline. Could you call them?
0800 678 1602

They also have some info on line regarding some of these issues.
www.ageuk.org.uk/

Are they full length? I had to wear knee length ones and had a good device that helped me fit them smoothly and easily. I don't think they'd do for full length ones though.

Thanks. AgeUK is a great idea. I’ll give them a call today. Aveline, they are just knee length ones.

My DH has been wearing knee length compression socks for years. Tried every brand but think we've now found one that works. I was looking on Amazon and a brand came up that has a zip just past the ankle. They really are a game changer. Seem to be well made.They're 15-20 mmHg. The brand is called "Ailaka". Definitely worth a look. Good luck.

I do think she would be able to apply for attendance allowance. My 89 year old mother does really need a carer to help with personal care - she could easily afford this but won't have people she doesn't know in the house. Her accountant visited her a few weeks ago and told her she is entitled to this benefit so I'm assuming it isn't means tested (she didn't apply for BTW)

Thanks Rosie1959 that’s very reassuring and helpful. I’ll look into attendance allowance.

Thanks @Kiwiqueen123 and @BladeAnnie.
Wow! This is all so helpful. Wish I’d thought of posting here earlier and saved us all some sleepless nights 😊

Kiwiqueen that is certainly a game changer for anyone who needs compression ‘socks’ when MissOops had her knee ops it was a nightmare trying to get her compression socks on, she has bad arthritis in her hands, plus it hurt her knee so much at the time, so I had to do it for her. I’m surprised no one has advertised these zip up ones before.

Your MIL will be entitled to an attendance allowance, this is not means tested and could give her around £400 a month.
This would go some way to paying for care.

This is the device I have. The inside is very smooth and the outside is rough. Simply feed the sock on to the end, drop the whole thing on the floor and use the long tapes to pull it up.

Keeping fingers crossed for you Cloudscape1 - hope you find d a workable solution for her.

Sago

Your MIL will be entitled to an attendance allowance, this is not means tested and could give her around £400 a month.
This would go some way to paying for care.

Just what I was going to add Sago, I know the form is long-winded and complex but well worth the effort.

I've recently had compression stocking following surgery and they are really difficult.....I am quite short and all those prescribed were way too long although I was told by the nurse on the ward "do NOT fold the tops down". I have never worn anything so blooming uncomfortable!

I do hope the lady can get some assistance - if she has been recently discharged why wasn't an Intermediatry Care Package set up - these are funded by the NHS for 6 weeks I think.

It could be a long wait for assessment for an intermediary care package knitandnatter, currently 14 weeks in this area. People are discharged with no support unless a private arrangement. No, it’s not right but as a neighbours daughter was told because you are entitled to something it doesn’t mean it’s available. There are simply no staff. It is very area dependent, the lack makes me more than cross.

There are two types of compression stockings- the white fairly flexible variety given post-operatively. Almost but not quite one size fits all.

The other type comes in the flattering colours of beige or better still black. These are measured and one can choose whether the toes are enclosed or open. I have lymphoedema and I chose black and open. These cost just under £100 to make. I can get mine on but getting them off is a nightmare because frequently my legs have swollen.

I am 80 and have lost a lot of the power and grip in my hands.

If she goes to a clinic for a fitting they would be the best to advise her re the cost of helpers. It would be better if she could cope without as she would be spending her days waiting for folk to help her put them on and off.

Hospitals/GPs ought surely to test people's ability to put these on at home before embarking on the fitting process. It seems an inefficient use of caseworker time if not visiting for any other reason.

I asked a nurse about the compression stockings with zips. Apparently, they are fine as long as you have someone with you who can hold the two sides together whilst you close the zip. I hope you find a workable solution.

I think you should investigate Attendance Allowance You should then look at what she can no longer do but has learned to do without as she hasn't got help as this will help her claim too. Have a look here as it gives you more information: www.independentage.org/get-advice/money/benefits/attendance-allowance?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzoHO1_TrgwMVLZRQBh0BFQFJEAAYASAAEgI2wPD_BwE

I agree that she should apply for attendance allowance, but is care the only option ? It seems a very expensive outlay if the only reason she needs it is to get the stockings on and off. Is there not a trusted neighbour who could help ? From my own experience, my mum waited three months for a care needs assessment and has to pay nearly £150 a week for what amounts to seven hours care a week - I realise that depends on circumstances but few people these days meet the eligibility for free home care. Not to mention that the Local Authority may not agree that there is a need for care if the only issue is the stockings. I would get some advice from Age UK as they, or possibly the prescriber, may be able to suggest an alternative.

Rather than having an expensive domiciliary carer come in, could you advertise for a private carer who would arrive promptly at the same time morning and evening to help with the support stockings. You would probably need 2 or even 3 different carers as no one could commit to 7 days a week. Perhaps there are a few trustworthy neighbours who would help out. A private carer in this area charge £15 whereas a domiciliary carer is double that. The AA would cover the private carers so no additional outgoing. They would only need 30 minutes max at each call. I would get Age UK to do the AA application as it is very important to use the right terminology on these forms. Your mother would get the lower amount as she probably does not need support in the night. She would need to have the consultants notes and anything else applicable when Age UK visited to do the form, they have a 97% success rate apparently in this area.

I used a frame thing to help Mum with her stocking (tights?) - it made a lot of difference. I do think that I or the carers helped with it though.

Great advice here. It would be no harm to have some system of carer visit coming as other matters will no doubt arise in coming years. I also do not live in the UK but might have paid for medical expenses including care home and offset it against our tax at saving of 20%. I think this option might be more generous in other countries. I know of a friend living in France who did this for her mother in law living elsewhere. My mother also lost strength in her hands not helped by a fall that broke some fingers but it became a problem for her even with meal preparation.