Diary of a benefit claimant.

Franbern wrote I have written on another thread of really checking prices on mobility equipment.

It is perfectly alright to add a link.

If you don't know how to do a link, if you post in ordinary text the name of the thread and the page, I'll try to find it and add a link.

If you would like to learn how to add a link I will gladly try to explain.

Well done, Franbern. I am impressed. Just shows how much mark up there can be. Mobility shop prices vary hugely. The one in my town is twice as expensive as the one in the next town. And bargains to be found on local f-b—k pages.

I have written on another thread of really checking prices on mobility equipment. I have used a mobility scooter for several years, and it has given me so much freedom. However, not able to take this on buses, etc. and not able to take this with me when I go on long journeys to stay with any of my children.

So, I have been looking at Power Chairs. Small, electric, easily folding wheelchairs. These go on buses etc. Found an ideal one in a Careco, but so very very expensive. Most items there are listed without VAT and they just show how much VAT would be put on if person purchasing it is not eligible (highly unlikely). Back home I spent a long time looking up these power chairs on line. Amazingly I found the identical one on Amazon, supplied by a London based company for about two thirds of the price - a savings of some seven hundred pounds.

Contacted Careco, sent them a screenshot of what I had found, and they have now offered me a complete price match for this. Well worth my time on the laptop!!!! This is the sort of item that I use my attendance allowance to pay for.

My chair up .

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202208/medium-960914-img-20220813-073335019-hdr.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202208/medium-496272-img-20220813-073327261.jpg

MissA I am sure there is a grant of some sort to get your bathroom changed. Talk to the falls department of your local council. A friend of mine had a seat in her bath so she could shower it collapsed under her. Luckily her neighbour came into her everyday at a set time. But she had been stuck in the bath with the shower running for a hour. The fire brigade had to get her out and then was checked over by the ambulance men. They covered her the best they could with towels but still it was embarrassing for her she was in her 70's when it happened this was years ago . My dad got stuck mom managed to get him out. I had been in to them for years to have the bath out . Finally they did and wished they had it done sooner. In my old house we had the bath out made life so much easier for all the family. These are pictures of my shower room

Have you considered having talking therapy to get your head around things?
I started talking to a therapist around Christmas time as things were absolutely awful; both with my health, and even worse, DH’s.

Hi MissA
I’ve got this to get in and out of the bath. It was recommended by Riverwalk, who was a nurse.
It’s actually quite brilliant.

Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare Bellavita Lightweight Reclining Bath Lift with Blue Covers (470100312) amzn.eu/d/4t0uJjJ

Good points.
Just in case seems like something I would do.
We have a pretty good charity shop here that sometimes gets mobility aids in.
Or I could look on Ebay.

MissAdventure

I have been thinking about a walker type thing.
I think it would be enough if I could stop and rest every few minutes (standing, because I'd never get up if I had one with a seat)

There is also nowhere at all to put a scooter here; no garden, no shed.
Plus I really want to be able to practice walking but feel safe.
I have only fallen into my wardrobe so far, but I'm nervous of falling because I can feel I'm doddery.

It's as if I'm living a nightmare, suddenly.

I'm having trouble coming to terms with it, really.

A friend let me try her rollator walker recently and although I don’t think I quite need one yet, when I saw one being given away on my local Next Door site, I snapped it up in anticipation! I want one that I can fit in the boot of my car for when I drive places, ie to a garden centre cafe today for a card making workshop, and this one just about fits it my boot. It’s now in my garage ready and waiting! It’s got handles with brakes and a seat which lifts up with a storage bag underneath.

I was delighted to get one for free so have donated £20 to the local charity which my WI are supporting this year.

I'm going to have to start a new thread called "The many ailments and challenges faced by miss A at this rate!
I can bore everyone to death keeping them up to date.

I'm glad you specified what kind of stool. (Snicker!)
Yes, that's the idea I have, blowing around in the dusty corners of my brain.

Actually, I do have a little step stool, you've just reminded me.
I can try that for now, as a "taster".

What about a plastic stool ( an item of furniture I mean rather than something you might find in a joke shop) so that you can at least sit rather than stand in the bath?

I can't afford it.
It's that simple.
Cheaper to buy some sort of aid (a winch, perhaps?) to lower me into the bath.

For goodness sake, get someone in to give you a quote for what you now need to stay both washed and safe.

I'm (wait for it! Off again!) having trouble standing in the bath now, for a wash down.

I kept feeling I might keel forwards and smash what's left of my teeth in on my square "waterfall" tap!

That's what you get for having high falooting ideas, I guess.

MissAdventure

My bathroom is the only room in the flat that has been updated.

The man who did it asked if I'd like a wetroom or shower, and I laughed and said no.

The laugh is on me now.

HI, no, it isn't. You could ask for a fresh free quote if you felt that anything different was now required. It might not cost very much.

My bathroom is the only room in the flat that has been updated.

The man who did it asked if I'd like a wetroom or shower, and I laughed and said no.

The laugh is on me now.

If anyone has to have their bathroom changed to make it easier to use you can get the VAT off the fittings only but it has to be fitted by a trademan. Had my new shower room fitted with large rectangular shower cubicle,ease toilet which is taller than normal loo and had to have the basin at waist height. Had to have handles on both sides of the shower door and easy to use lever tap . Got £550 back.

When my girl got a wig, she just told them she had cancer and the vat was discounted.

The thing is, there are lots of people who will fall through the net, and they may have to almost self identify.

I had to, to join the voluntary car scheme, because on paper, I wasn't eligible.

I simply phoned and explained I can barely walk and they said it was fine (thankfully!)

If I had listened to my gp and care coordinator, I have just been "stressed" for over two years.

Good question, StarDreamer, but nobody asked when we were buying from the mobility shop.
I guess if someone was assessed by an OT, they would either authorise it or not, mainly on what they observe.

I expect it would be down to someone to assess?
For the sake of a walker, I would sooner buy my own, than be jumped through hoops.
I'm still at the "thinking about it" stage, so far.

I'm very slow of thinking...

I wonder how exactly and with precision the rule makers distinguish between

have a physical or mental impairment that has a long-term and substantially adverse effect on their ability to carry out day to day activities

who are therefore qualified for VAT relief

and

It does not include a frail elderly person who is otherwise able-bodied

----

I wonder how they decide if a frail elderly person is otherwise able-bodied?

www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/housing-options/adapting-home/disabled-facilities-grants/
The AgeUK website has some useful information too.

Thanks for those last few posts.
I had forgotten about the VAT side of things.

The retailer who sold a mobility scooter to my husband asked few questions. He could see he had difficulties with walking
( which could be said to those of a frail elderly person?), but the main reason is back pain and angina, so DH had no qualms about his eligibility, nor did the dealer.
I also bought a useful domestic aid for my sister who has a mental health diagnosis.
I dare say that some people might make a false declaration, but I doubt that anyone would buy these items unless they needed them. They are hardly designer goods or fashion accessories!