Ageing Dad mobility huge issue

Traceym12

My dad is 76 years old over the last year it has become very difficult for him and us trying to care for him , he has a long list of medical issues including severe arthritis of the back , hips and hands , copd , bronchial asthma , glaucoma, cataracts also urinary incontinence , his mobility has drastically reduced and he cant even walk more than 15 steps with him being breathless and in severe pain , currently he is using 2 walking sticks his OT us now concerned his wrist might give way and he could fall , they advises us to apply for primary medical cert as my car is small and getting him in or out is a nightmare , someone else told me he wont get it i dont want to put him through any stress of applying if he wont get it , any advice anyone ?

Ursus Horribilis

Have you looked at the Accessibility, Mobility and Disability forum? https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=384 Perhaps they might be able to help you?

CiDeRmAn

You can pick up a compact but effective wheelchair that can be used out and about, folding up into the boot.
The home can be adapted with bannister lengths in the hallways, to give extra support.
If there is degeneration of wrists or other joints there should be assessed and allowances made available to provide equipment and adaptations to ease him and enhance his capabilities.
Have you got the local health centre and public health nurse involved?
The GP should be able to help with the referrals.

lulu1

I think you posted this before on another forum. Your OT should be able to provide a wheelchair for your dad free of charge. I really dont think i would bother going through the stress of applying for a PMC if your dad has so many ailments because god forbid anything to happen you would be left to pay a persentage of the cost back to the hse

beauf

Get a wheelchair even used. Also organise wheelchair taxies where possible. Make it easier for all you.

Start applying for everything you can get. It takes ages.

CiDeRmAn

I was in a moving and handling class and the subject of wheelchair cost came up, everyone aimed way too high, a decent wheel chair costs relatively little,
https://www.themobilityshop.ie/wheelchairs.html
You can wait for the local health nurse to get one for free, buy it new from the link above or check out Adverts https://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/q_wheelchair/
A wheelchair may seem like a admission of failure, in some regard, but it would save on pain and suffering.
Also, handy space to hang a backpack with supplies, such as incontinence wear, O2 or anything else he might need.
Again, these things will fold nicely into a compact form for a boot.
Also, look for a swivel cushion for the car seat, to ease entering and exiting.
https://www.halfords.ie/motoring/car-accessories/interior-car-accessories/halfords-car-seat-swivel-cushion
Those cushions are really handy, and can be used in any number of seating settings, to aid turning.

Also, one of these grab bars, if he can support his own weight
https://www.themobilityshop.ie/car-door-grab-bar.html

It's important to say that if he can't support his own weight at all, getting in and out of a car, you really shouldn't be putting yourself at risk.
You could injure yourself during the process and, as a result, injure him as well.
In situations like that it's specific transport with adaptations that is needed, or a hoist, which are all very expensive.

beauf

You should also consider a nursing home. He might have better quality of life and less stress there. You might have better quality time together,

There are waiting lists to get into them, especially the nicer ones.