Wheelchair Advice – Do you qualify for a free wheelchair

Archive for July, 2009

I am Wheelchair bound with no use of the left hand side of my body. I usually have a carer in the morning to help me dress and shower and get my food and a carer at night to help me get ready for bed. Social Services made me change to a cheaper company who could only provide a male carer. I tried for 3 days but couldn’t stand having him help me, but the company have noone else to send and my Social Worker can’t find anyone else. This has left me with no carers for the foreseeable future, what do I do? They were the only people I saw in a day so now my mental health is suffering as well. Has anyone got any suggestions?

I believe Social Services have a legal duty of care. From what you say, appropriate care is available if they use the more expensive company. A male carer is not appropriate for such personal needs. Perhaps you could get some help from Citizens Advice? Take a copy of the most recent assessment of your needs. As other people have said, a local paper may also be interested in your story and that might kickstart the social services into doing something quickly.

Maybe Medicare or health insurance will pay for a wheel chair, but those things must be way more expensive.

Its only if your medicare or health insurance won’t pay/help pay for it, but you can only get one if you qualify for one (basically, if you need one).

Any organization receiving any Federal funds is required by law to provide ramps, etc.