Case studies
Mr A has a 14-year-old son who is disabled. An extension had been added to Mr A's house, but it was no longer suitable as his son needed a larger space with more equipment so his family could continue to care for him at home. The bed was now blocking the entrance to the bathroom which meant the family were struggling to lift their son up and down the stairs and to the bathroom. Due to the daily lifting and carrying, Mr A pulled a muscle and had to be admitted to hospital, leaving the family to cope without him.
A larger extension was provided on the ground floor of Mr A's house, partly paid for through a Disabled Facilities Grant and partly through Mr A's own funds. The extension is now big enough to allow Mr A's son to sleep downstairs, and includes a specially adapted bathroom and a hoist system so that bathing is easier and there is not as much lifting involved.
The local home improvement agency helped to co-ordinate the work by arranging site meetings and working with the builder, hoist company and the occupational therapist to find the best solution for the family.
"We are very grateful for the agency's help with the new extension. It's made a massive difference. We don't have to carry our son upstairs anymore, and now that we have the facilities, he can be with the family all the time now which he is very pleased about." - Mr A
