Help around my 'home'

Storm25
Storm25 Online Community Member Posts: 51 Contributor
edited July 2025 in Housing and independent living

I am struggling a bit to manage household tasks (due to poor hand functioning and strength) and am unsure where to look for things that may help me.

Things like cleaning, hoovering, taking out waste, changing bedding - that type of thing.

I'm wondering whether there are tools/equipment that people find really useful for these things? I have been thinking maybe robot hoovers (for inside (lino) and maybe a different one for astroturf - I have a dog so need to disinfect the outside area regularly).

I have also been considering some paid help but am not sure where to look. Not sure if they could help with the household maintenance tasks that I can't find equipment to help with and maybe things like decanting my medication into packaging I can open, changing bedding, opening food packaging, etc. I feel quite lost as to where to start looking. I did see someone from social services but they said I needed to become an employer, sign some terms and conditions and then they would start looking for someone, but it wouldn't happen quickly . They were also quite evasive when I asked about costs - just said that if I get PIP I can use that to pay.

I'm also unsure whether there are services I can ask for advice on how to make other things easier e.g. opening windows or changing plugs over in sockets when I need to switch between devices.

Any suggestions or advice gratefully received.

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Comments

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 4,794 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @Storm25 I'm not great with gadgets, but perhaps other members might have some suggestions. It does sound as though you might benefit from some support. I'm sorry your social services didn't provide much detail. May I ask if this was done as part of a care assessment or via other means? Only, as a case assessment should provide an outcome, and a proper financial assessment depending on that.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 8,559 Championing
    edited July 2025

    Was it a proper care needs assessment?

    https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/

    You could talk directly to a few care agencies, or ask for recommendations locally in places such as social media (you can always say it's for a friend/relative).

    My Mum currently has a morning carer to assist with breakfast, dressing, bed making and washing (arranged through Community Nurse after Hospital discharged with no social care, only visits from CN). Currently free (up to 6 weeks).

    Loads of equipment all supplied free at various stages, toilet frame, two perching stools, hospital style bed (high bar to qualify, but they can be purchased on a private basis) walking frame.

    She also has a lady who visits twice a week, I'd describe her as a home help as opposed to a cleaner or carer. She cleans tidies and assists with anything else Mum needs help with.

    She was a recommendation and Mum pays her directly as a private arrangement.

    If there is something you find difficult - think can it be changed or adapted?

    For plugs, would changing the location of sockets (mine are all halfway up wall), or using an extension cord (different designs available) be useful?

    Would replacing window handles with something easier to manoeuvre, or bigger keys thus easier to turn help?

    Mum & I recently discussed her difficulties putting away shopping - I pointed out she was asking for bags to be placed on floor, and suggested instead she ask for them to be placed onto kitchen counter. Cutting down on the energy and movement required to complete the task.

    I found changing my vacuum successful, went from a small inexpensive corded upright, to a £300 stick cordless, it has a longer pole (less bending) a much wider and more ergonomic handle (easier to grip & operate). I also went for the lightest weight possible within the brand.

    I got myself a perching stool off Amazon recently and it's great 🙂

    NHS/Local Authority issued equipment generally would get repaired/serviced by local provider, anything obtained privately would be the owners expense to get looked at.

  • Storm25
    Storm25 Online Community Member Posts: 51 Contributor

    Thank you, Holly. I'm unsure: I had a phone call from the council social services where I was asked about specific tasks and which doctors I see regularly. She later sent me a terms and conditions document to sign which explains the legal responsibilities of becoming an employer. She didn't say anything about finances but when I asked about how much it will cost she said I could use PIP to pay.

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 4,794 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Thanks @Storm25, sorry for all the questions. Just wondering how that came about? Just trying to pin down if it was a care assessment or not. It's definitely worth having a look at the link @Kimi87 has shared as if you've not had one of these, it's definitely beneficial. Some other great advice there too, thanks. 🙂

  • Storm25
    Storm25 Online Community Member Posts: 51 Contributor

    @Kimi87 Thanks so much for your very informative reply. I'm glad your Mum has got some support in place and hope it is helpful for her. Also glad you have found some things that work for you.

    Most delivery companies in my area are pretty good about delivering to a table, rather than putting items on the floor, if I put it as a request in my delivery note when I check out the purchase.

    I've checked the link about the 'needs assessment'. I do remember being asked some specific questions like those at the top of the page and a few months later being sent the terms and conditions document, so perhaps it was?

    Thank you for all the suggestions: I will follow up on these and will ask around for recommendations. It's good to know that it is possible to pay someone to help with some of these tasks.

    I think extension cables would be a good solution. I am also thinking about what to do with the window handles and door, as I find both stiff to try to open and the windows hard to secure to keep them open (they open up, not out), but haven't been sure where to look to find something that might work for me. I think some of the window hinges also need 'lifting' as the window doesn't seem to drop into the frame properly, so I can maybe find someone to do both jobs at the same time.

    Does anyone know whether the stick cordless hoovers are OK with managing dog hair, and how easy are they to empty?

    I have looked at some smaller equipment online e.g. lighter weight kettles, cutlery with different handles, electric can openers, but there seem to be a lot of options and I'm unsure which would work for me. I asked at one of my hospital appointments if they had suggestions but the occupational therapist explained they don't do that sort of thing anymore.

    Thanks again for taking the time to reply and with so many good ideas.

  • Storm25
    Storm25 Online Community Member Posts: 51 Contributor

    @Holly_Scope I think it was because a safeguarding referral was made, and then a social worker telephoned me and asked me questions about specific day-to-day tasks. I wasn't asked for bank statements or anything, just when I asked about costs the social worker advised that if my PIP appeal is successful I can use PIP to pay for carers, then sent the terms and conditions document.

  • Storm25
    Storm25 Online Community Member Posts: 51 Contributor

    I have had a look at the AgeUK link Holly put on another thread about care assessments and I'm unsure. I didn't get a plan with hours, etc., but maybe they do that after someone has committed and signed.

  • Storm25
    Storm25 Online Community Member Posts: 51 Contributor

    Sorry to resurrect and old thread, but this it's ongoing!

    My PIP appeal was successful, so finances are not as tight anymore. This means I can look into things that might make things easier.

    One major 'battle' is medication packaging. I really struggle to get some of my tablets out of their blister packs. So, I asked the nurse yesterday about it and admitted I sometimes miss doses as I just can't get the tablets out. I also can't get the bottles open. After the 'telling off' for not taking my medication she said open them over a bowl, so you don't drop them (dropping things is also an issue, and if they are small I can't pick them up again). I said I can use a bowl, but I can't get some of the tablets out in the first place! I do worry a bit about using bowls as I struggle to get them clean properly (a dishwasher isn't an option). She suggested scissors, which I previously tried, I've also tried knives, but I cut myself more than I cut the packaging, and still can't get these tablets out :( . Any suggestions? I asked the pharmacist and they said they don't help with things like this.

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 4,794 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    I'm so pleased you've been awarded and that's eased things for you @Storm25.

    I'm so sorry to hear how your packaging is causing you to miss doses. There is a scheme that your pharmacist can offer, which is to put your tablets into dosette boxes for you. You can request a medical review with your pharmacy. I've added a link to the NHS website with a bit more detail below:

    Medicines: tips for carers - Social care and support guide - NHS

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 8,559 Championing

    A pill popper popped into my mind (sorry, couldn't resist 😂)

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Assisted-Living-Pill-Popper-Dispenser/dp/B004R1T3EW

  • Storm25
    Storm25 Online Community Member Posts: 51 Contributor

    Thank you both!

    I did have a look at the dosette boxes in the pharmacy (they were mentioned during my PIP tribunal as 'you don't have, so don't need?'). However, it looked like I would struggle to open them if they are clipped down (yes, teeth is an option, possibly, but then I have the 'trying to pick the tablets up if they fall/I drop the box' issue). The pharmacist explained they can't do anything to help as they don't have the space or time for that type of thing.

    The pill popper does look like it might be the answer though Kimi, thank you! I hadn't seen those before :)

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 4,794 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    I agree. The pill popper looks like a great invention!

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