Would it be worth speaking to occupational health about getting new doors fitted?

happyfella

Hi, i suffer from chronic pain and i fall a lot. I had the occupational team arrive at my home and they are looking to get a grant to fit a downstairs toilet. I was very nervous when they were there. They are also putting in a back step from my patio doors to the garden. I do not go out into the garden because it needs work doing on it and it is depressing, but i cannot afford to get anyone out to sort it out.

I wanted to ask their advice about the two doors i have downstairs but was too worried to ask. I have two glass pannel doors with no locks on. I have fallen through them a few times and have injured myself. I have also managed to smash one of the glass in the door and had it replaced.

I need to get two solid doors put downstairs with locks and handles on. so if i do fall then i am not falling straight through the doors and only against the door.

I have tried for nearly 12 months to find someone who could come out and put two doors on for me if i bought the doors but due to covid i cannot get hold of anyone as everyone has a waiting list.

I am just wondering if it would be worthwhile to contact occupational health and ask them for advice about the two doors and if they know of anyone.

Also, does anyone know if there is an organisation out there who tidy a garden up that doesnt cost the earth. i suffer from depression and being able to sit in the garden would help with my depression. I did get one quote for a gardener and he wanted £1,000 which is just out of the question

janer1967

Hi there 

As for the doors I would speak to the ot as if they recommend this adaption they may refer it to your local council to complete the work 

With your garden again some local council have a garden service 

If your home is owned you can still get help from the council bur will have to pay but could be cheaper for you 

Good luck hope you find a solution 

happyfella

i do not want to get the council involved. I have a next door neighbour who works for the council and he gossips all the times to all the neighbours about everyones business. He is a bit of a rougue to be honest. A lot of the time when he is supposed to be at work you can see his council van outside his house and he uses council vans to move things for himself when he should be working.

The last thing i want is to get the council involved and then for all the neighbours to know about my business. i also explained that to OC.

I do own my own home.

janer1967

OK that's your perogative 

You can sometimes find gardening services on Facebook sites that's where I always advertise for one,  often j6st self employed people or just people looking for extra work as well as small business 

Cress

Places like Age UK may run a voluntary service.
Or other charities.
I actually had help years ago, even though I wasn't of pension age..
Had a garden that was basically rubble and they sent a volunteer to clear it for me over two days.

happyfella

thank you

Tori_Scope

Hi @happyfella I'm sorry to hear about the problems you've been having with your doors. I'd definitely recommend speaking to the OT, as they may be able to make a recommendation. 

You may also find Turn2Us' grant checker helpful to see if there's anything you could access in your area, alongside Scope's page on grants for home adaptations. 

Have you been able to recover okay from your injuries? How is your depression at the moment?

happyfella

Tori_Scope said:

Hi @happyfella I'm sorry to hear about the problems you've been having with your doors. I'd definitely recommend speaking to the OT, as they may be able to make a recommendation. 

You may also find Turn2Us' grant checker helpful to see if there's anything you could access in your area, alongside Scope's page on grants for home adaptations. 

Have you been able to recover okay from your injuries? How is your depression at the moment?

thank you for that. Reference my inuries i get them on a daily basis as i am always falling. My doctors have told me that i should not be living in the property i am in, and should be in a property that has a downstairs toilet and one where i could sleep downstairs, or a bungalow. However, even though everyone says this which i mean all my doctors which i have three and also the support network i have said i need a bungalow, it is easier said than done

we own our own house with a mortgage, and we approached the housing association and they said we would need to sell the house first before they could give us a bungalow. my daughter who is single applied for a part rent part buy property with the housing association but all the paperwork that was involved was very off putting. but she was prepared to go through it all, but then the mortgage broker said she should wait a year to get a better deal. So now she does not know what to do as the ten day period where she had to get everything together has passed.

The Occupational health team said they would supply a letter for my daughter to go with the application of the part own part buy scheme, and they have said their letters go a long way.

We just cant seem to get the right help or advice on the scheme. everyone is telling me to get a different property but no one is really giving me the information on what to do.

I have a garden which is a mess but cannot afford to get it done. i use to love gardening but now i cannot do it, so i no longer go into the garden. it use to help with my depression but now i look out and wish i could wave a magic wand to sort it out