This can take the form of personal care, making our home more suitable for our needs or financial assistance from benefits or elsewhere.

Help you might be able to get includes:

• Personal care
• Help to manage and feel safe at home
• Financial assistance
• Health services
• The local authority social services department is the main state provider of assistance.

As an older person you will almost certainly be entitled to an assessment to establish what your needs are and suggest how those needs can be taken care of.

Each local authority sets eligibility criteria, which are rules identifying the services they will provide for different levels of need.

Contact your local authority social services department and ask them to carry out an assessment of your needs. Their number can be found via the phone directory or by Googling it or by visitng the local council directory.

Personal care

Personal care means help with daily tasks like getting up and getting dressed, washing and bathing. Providers of this kind of care include social services, private care agencies and voluntary organisations.

Across the UK, agencies that provide personal care workers have to be registered with the regulatory body for care services in that nation and are regularly inspected to ensure that minimum standards are met. If you need personal care or assistance with your essential daily tasks, you may qualify for an attendance allowance.

Your local authority will be able to give details of local care providers. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) are the national body responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.

Help with your house and garden

You may require help with housework, gardening, shopping etc. Most local authorities only offer limited assistance in these areas. Local voluntary organisations, including Age UK, may be able to help or alternatively you can employ someone on a private basis.

Meals at home

Local authorities should provide meals at home to those who need them, either directly or through a voluntary organisation or private agency.

Some deliver hot meals, others provide frozen meals and a means of heating them. Any arrangement should take account of what you can manage: you should not be left with frozen meals if you will not be able to heat them up.

Local health services

Your GP can give you information about local services. These might include home visits from the district nurse or health visitor, chiropody, continence advice and other services.

Service levels are set locally so may vary from area to area. In England there should be a local Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) to provide support and information about health services to patients, carers and families in the area.

Local voluntary organisations

Local voluntary organisations and charities operate in most areas. They may deliver services on behalf of the local authority but can be particularly useful in organising activities that your local authority does not provide. These might include gardening and home maintenance services, and those all important social activities, that get you out of the home, interacting with other people.

Is there any help for carers?

You may be helped by a family member or friend rather than a paid care worker. When looking at your needs, the local authority should not make assumptions about how much support your carer can provide.

Your carer is also entitled to ask for their own needs to be assessed. Carers can receive services to help them execute their caring role. Commonly what carers find most helpful is the opportunity to have a break from their responsibilities, even for a short time.

Financial support for carers is fairly meagre. There is a benefit called Carers Allowance paid to carers who provide more than 35 hours’ care for a disabled person but the amount payable is low and any other income your carer has may affect their eligibility.

The time may come when your current home is no longer suitable for you, even with care and support there. At this stage there are alternatives to moving into a care home. For some this may simply involve downsizing to a more manageable property. Before giving up your home, consider all the options like having a stair lift installed. Anything that helps your mobility and the accessibility of your home, should be considered ahead of moving from your “terra firma”.

How to approach your Local Authority for guidance, advice and funding for Stair Lifts and associated structural alterations to your home

Before making any decision about purchasing stair lift equipment, or making alterations to your home, it is advisable to contact a Community Occupational Therapist (OT), based at the local Authority/Social Work Department, who will come and assess your daily living needs. The OT will advise on feasible solutions and may provide simple equipment to use on the stairs ie a handrail. If an OT recommends that the solution is a stair lift, they will then inform you of grants that may be available to help with the cost.

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG’S)

A disabled facilities grant may be available for structural work to accommodate a stair lift. A means test is used to ascertain how much financial assistance can be made available to the applicant.

Depending on the outcome of the test , the amount of assistance offered can vary from 0-100% of the total cost of the installation of the stair lift, and any structural work required to house the stair lift. However a limit of £30,000 will be put on each disabled facilities grant, irrespective of the applicants assessed contribution. The Housing Authority pays the grant, but has to consult the Local Authority to find out if you require the stair lift equipment and whether it will be the most appropriate solution for you.

Moving to more suitable accommodation

Many older people consider moving in with their children or other relatives. This can work very well but it is important that everyone has a realistic understanding of what will be involved, particularly if you may need increasing levels of care in the future.

There is also the option of sheltered housing. Also bear in mind that there are also increasing numbers of extra care sheltered housing developments, which offer a high level of support to residents while retaining a higher level of independence than in a traditional care home.

Age UK, the organisation created by the merger of Age Concern and Help The Aged, have revealed on their website, that in excess of a third of Britons aged over 55 feel that they would have no option but to sell their home to fund long-term care in retirement.

Law company Dickinson Dees have made a projection that if these figures were rolled out across the whole UK population, it would equate to two million Britons facing the prospect of selling their homes to fund their care in their dotage.

According to a YouGov survey of 4,500 people, the concerns of the over-55s are also reflected amongst couples in the  age group 34-54, with 44%  revealing they feel they would be compelled to  sell their home if one of them needed residential care.

National statistics bear these poll results out, with  20,000 older people forced to sell their homes in 2010 to fund care home fees: each year 130,000 people go into long-term care.

Deborah Jude, a partner at Dickinson Dees, explains: “It can be really upsetting to find out an entire inheritance or family home has to be spent on care. ‘There are a few ways to shield some of this wealth, using wills and gifts, but plans need to be drawn up when people reach retirement, not after they’ve drifted into infirmity”.

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK comments: “The care system has been crumbling for many years and is in desperate need of fundamental reform to meet the needs of an ageing population. Every day, thousands of families face agonising decisions about care for their loved ones. They can find themselves in the middle of a perfect storm, where dwindling savings are not enough to meet rocketing care costs”.

She continues: “When it comes to care costs, it is a good idea to start looking at options as soon as possible, rather than waiting for a crisis to develop. Planning ahead and exploring your financial options with your family will minimise the shock – because it is not unusual for care in a residential or nursing home to exceed £40,000 per annum”.

Michelle Mitchell adds: “Age UK is campaigning for a system which is both affordable for individuals and taxpayers and enshrines dignity, fairness, autonomy and simplicity. As part of these reforms we want to see people have better options for protecting their assets from the risk of very high care fees, if that is what they want”.

Clearly the best option and solution is for all of us, is to live in our homes for as long as possible. Psychologically and emotionally it is better that we have as much self autonomy and independence for as long as is humanly possible. Also financially it is better for younger members of the family that as little of their inheritance is absorbed and swallowed up by Care Home Fees. However for this perfect scenario to be achieved, it will require a greater commitment and sacrifice from the extended family than perhaps we have seen in recent generations!!

The economic hardship and austerity we have all suffered in recent times have caused many of us to re-focus and re-appraise what is really important to us in life. As a result, many of us have concluded that we need to put more emphasis on quality of life and family life. This does not necessarily mean just spending more time with the children, but also dedicating more time and effort to looking after the older generation too. We need to embrace more of the paternal approach, that was apparent in a previous era, when Care Homes and Residential Homes were not an option.

By doing this, it may help to “delay the inevitable” passage into a Care Home for as long as possible, which is in the interests of all parties. Clearly one of the biggest issues for allowing the elderly to continue to live in their own homes, is mobility. Within this equation, ascent and descent of the stairs is the usually the biggest challenge. Investment in a stairlift could be the shrewdest move you ever make, and the most liberating day for the elderly family member that they have experienced since VE Day in 1945!!

An investment of a couple of thousand pounds could free you of the burden of hundreds of thousands of pounds on Care Home fees, and just as importantly free your elderly relative of the shackles of struggling up the stairs; not to mention the perpetual haunting fear of falling down them!!

Such is the sophisticated technology of the modern stairlift, that however inaccessible a stairwell might be, there is always a practical solution. There are a number of variations of stairlift, ranging from the Straight Stairlift which might be more suitable in a more modern property to a Curved Stairlift, where idiosyncratic bends need to be negotiated in an older period property.

So despite the inherent fears expressed in the YouGov poll, the Stairlift might be the panacea to many of the problems that prevent the elderly continuing to enjoy a good quality of life in their own home. But whatever modern technology can be deployed and implemented in the home, it has to be supported by dedicated care, not just from community health professionals, but the family as well. The technology is not enough on it’s own. Just as important to the welfare and well being of our elderly relatives is the emotional support and nurturing given by family members.

Recreational and sporting activities account for 18% of all Spinal Cord Injuries and many sporting careers have been ended due to damage to the spine.

Particular sports are higher risk than others, with the top activites for back injuries being:

• Rugby
• Motorbiking
• Quadbiking
• Skateboarding
• Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Horse Riding

There is a school of thought that adolescents risk injury to the back bone (spine) by taking part in certain physical sports whilst their bones are still forming, with some school refusing to allow full contact sports until the age of 16.

Rugby - High Risk of Back Injury

Damage caused to the spinal cord can affect interneurons and motorneurons which control the bodys movement, resulting in partial or full paralyse – the loss of use of the legs.

Back injuries are very common in sport, with many athletes suffering from them at some time in their career. Athletes who play contact sports are more likely to suffer from back problems.

What causes a back injury?

Generally, too much strain on the spine and back muscles.

Since the back is a major part of the body, different areas get injured playing sport. They are, however, also common in tennis, golf and cricket.

Because the back is very complex, one injury can often affect another part of the spine and they are notoriously difficult to diagnose.

Physiotherapists and doctors utilise X-rays to see if the spine has been damaged, but they also use a series of questions and short tests to establish whether the problem could be muscular.

Back injuries are often very painful and prevent athletes from training.

What parts make up the back?

The spine conists of small bones called vertebrates stacked on top of each other.

The Structure of the Human Spine

There are 24 vertebrates in the back. They are:

• Seven Neck (Cervical) vertebrae
• 12 Chest (Thoracic) vertebrae
• Five Lower Back (Lumbar) vertebrae
• Muscles and Ligaments attach to each vertebrae allowing the back to move without causing damage.

In between each of the vertebrae are discs of fibro cartilage – the back’s version of shock absorbers. These discs contain a jelly-like fluid which helps the back move freely.

Surgery or Alternative Treatment

Certain back injuries, like vertebrae fractures, may require surgery because they can cause damage to the rest of the spinal cord. But other injuries, like muscle tears, aren’t as serious.

Massages, physiotherapy and rest are the best ways to get back to full fitness.

Will I be able to play sports again?

Again, it depends on how serious the injury is.

Muscle strains and tears can take anywhere between two to eight weeks to heal.

But more serious injuries, for example a slipped back disk, can take a lot longer to recover from.

Athletes must avoid doing any activities which can harm their recovery.

So for a fast bowler, physiotherapists would advise them not to bowl until their injury has cleared up.

“I decided to go in for a stairlift because of my worsening mobility problems. It is one of the best ideas I know of for people who want to remain in their house, rather than move to a bungalow or flat.

“Talking to the company who installed my stairlift was very easy and comforting. The installers came to my home to take measurements in my property as each stairlift is catered for the individual. It was very easy and quick to install, much quicker than I thought it would take. I was initially a bit worried by the controls, but they are so easy to use I have had no problems at all and would describe it as being ‘very user friendly.’

“The chair itself is very comfortable. What’s my overall opinion of having a stairlift? I would highly recommend having one installed. It has enabled me to stay in my home and remain independent.”

A stoma is formed when the surgeon makes an opening in the abdomen and brings out a small section of bowel to the surface. He/she will then stitch the open section of bowel to the abdomen, forming a stoma. The bowel opening is then covered with a stoma bag to collect body waste (faeces). These bags will normally be drainage bags so you can empty them into the toilet.

65% of stomas are permanent but due to improved surgical techniques over the pass ten years, this percentage is gradually declining. One well established technique is an ileoanal pouch. This is created internally so a stoma bag does not have to be worn. It is a highly complex procedure and is usually done by highly trained surgeons
Some people avoid having surgery for years, quite prepared to put up with the pain of their bowel condition. Although having a stoma can be frightening it can end years of pain from cancer, Crohn’s disease, diverticuli, ulcerative colitis and other bowel problems. Not everybody with bowel problems end up having to have a stoma.

Unfortunately, for some people, a stoma is performed as an emergency operation so they are unable to discuss things with a specialist nurse (colorectal). For others, who know when their procedure is to be performed, they will have seen a nurse beforehand. The nurse will go over the procedure and discuss in detail what the patient can expect.

Living with a stoma is not as frightening as it seems. You will get plenty of help and support from your medical team. In some local areas there are support groups for people who have had bowel procedures. There is also a website for ileostomists, www.the-ia.org.uk.

Living with a stoma doesn’t need to have a dramatic affect on your life or lifestyle and talking to someone who has had similar procedures can be very helpful.

The first sighting of your stoma can be quite daunting but once you accept it, it is not as bad as it seems. Some people even name their stomas. With an ileostomy you do have to be a little bit careful with your diet. Because the ileum is narrow an ileostomist has to be aware of blockages if they eat too much high fibre food. That said you do not avoid these foods altogether, just eat them in smaller quantities. Ileotomist must also make sure they have a high intake of fluids, especially in hot weather to prevent dehydration.

Living with an ileastomy does not have alter the way you live. In fact for a lot of people, after having so many years of pain and confinement, life is 100% better. You can still do sport, go travelling, get married and have children (if you are young enough).

Remember, having a stoma is not as frightening as it seems.

Whatever the severity of the injury, individuals can cope with their condition, it simply means a slight change to their lifestyle. If the spinal injury is quite severe they will need physical help with hygiene, mobility and cleaning their accommodation. If they are to stay in their own home, some adaptations may be needed to the property, such as:

• Handrails in the bathroom;
• A stairlift;
• Access ramps
• Wider doorways

Whatever needs to be done, the home will need to be accessible before the person returns home from hospital or from a care facility.

Depending in the severity of the injury and/or disability, treatment will vary. At one time complete bedrest was the course of action for soft tissue damage or a ‘slipped disc’. The treatment for most people now, after a brief spell of bedrest, is to resume normal physical activity as soon as possible.

The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. It also has a spinal cord and nerve roots within the vertebrae. It is divided into three sections, neck (cervical), chest (thoracic) and lower back (lumbar). In between the vertebrae is cartilage (disc). The disc is made up of connective tissue, with a gel-like centre core. The discs act as a ‘buffer’ to try and protect the spine, spinal cord and nerve root from getting damaged.

One of the most common causes of a back injury is a ‘slipped disc’. This is where the soft gel-like central core is pushed through the connective tissue. Sometimes the gel is pushed so far through the connective tissue that it can cause what is known as a prolapse. Some people are unaware they have a slipped disc, as they are not in pain. It is only when the prolapse is touching the nerve roots, causing pain, that they become aware of their condition. ‘Slipped discs’ usually affect the lower back (lumbar region) and it is mainly caused by heavy, physical work involving a lot of bending. Poor posturing when doing this kind of work is the most probable cause. Slipped discs can also occur following an accident or fall. Very rarely will a ‘slipped disc’ appear in the neck but is more common in the elderly.

As was mentioned earlier, brief bedrest is recommended and if the pain becomes too severe, various pain relief options will be advised. Sometimes surgical intervention will be performed to relieve the pressure from the root nerves. Living with ‘slipped discs’ that are touching the nerve root can lead to some other problems such as slight numbness, especially down the side of the legs, or total paralysis.

As a person living with a ‘slipped disc’ for over thirty years, I have had to adapt my life slightly. My injury was caused by landing on my back, whilst roller-skating. It is not a case of, “what can I not do?” It’s a case of “what can I do?” I was very active person, walking, running, swimming, cycling, dancing etc, which formed a big part of my life. I still take part in sport but instead of taking part in high-impact sports I mostly concentrate on swimming. The buoyancy of the water helps support my body so I can still use my back muscles without too much pain. I can do small amounts of shopping, but unfortunately pushing a shopping trolley puts too much pressure on my back.

I take anti-inflammatory tablets and strong painkillers and until I take my medication I can be quite stiff in the mornings.

I have certain adaptations in my home which are mostly in the bathroom. I have a handrail near the toilet and adaptations in the bath. I also have hand rails going up both sides of the stairway. Because I drive, I have a support cushion on my seat, as long car journeys can be uncomfortable for me. I also have a neck support cushion for my bed.

As I have suffered ‘slipped discs’ for a long time, it has caused other health issues including arthritis.

When a person is diagnosed with a back or spinal injury, one of their initial feelings is fear, especially if it is a severe injury. Fear off how they will cope with their injury and/or disability. Let people be assured that in England there is a lot of help for them to lead as normal life as possible. They will still be able to live a good standard and quality of life with the right help.

That’s the latest statistic released from Help The Aged. With UK citizens in their 70′s and 80′s being fitter than ever before, the nations hospitals are seeing more and more elderly injuries, with 1 in 10 resulting in life threatening or incapacitating consequences.

Stairlifts have been proved to prevent injuries by up to 58% and can be essential for those living alone who may be unable to raise an alarm should they have a slip or fall in their home.

Climbing stairs can cause continued strain on the elderly, especially those suffering joint and hip problems, asthma or arthritis.

Value Stairlifts feel the NHS can take further steps to help protect the elderly by providing additional support and home assessments to prevent these injuries from ever occuring.

The not-so-humble beginnings of the mobility aid industry is due to non other than King Henry the VIII it has been revealed.

Famous mainly for his collection of wives, his enjoyment of food and drink and his cantancarous nature, Henry VIII was also the first known owner of his own stairlift or ‘stairthrone’ used whilst inebriated or when hauling his hefty 30 stone frame upstairs became a bit too much work.

A cleverly devised system of blocks and pulleys was utilised to elevate the King onto the first floor. Described in the royal records as ‘a chair…that goeth up and down’, the stairlift was installed at Whitehall Palace, London where it lifted the King up a 20ft staircase.

In addition the King owned his own mobility scooters, essentially thrones with wheels so that he could glide around his royal quarters.

Sadly there is no pictorial evidence of the stairlift, but the system would have involved many servants pulling on ropes to lift the monarch’s body.

In addition to his ‘stairlift’, Henry had three wheelchairs – ‘amazingly luxurious thrones on wheels’ – in which he would be wheeled around his palaces.

So it is fair to say the stairlift has come a fair distance since Henry’s time.

Until recently the first stairlift was thought to have been made in 1930 in Pennsylvania, by CC Crispen, a self-taught engineer.

The British company Stannah intorduced their first stairlift in 1974 and are one of the leading stairlift manufacturers today.

Patrick Stannah, a relation of the company’s founder, said: ‘Stannah Stairlifts was surprised but pleased that someone had the inventiveness to make a stairlift for Henry VIII.

The stairlifts of today have developed massively since then but if he was alive today he’d be pleased to know that we make them for people of all shapes and sizes. and can fit any type of staircase – even Royal ones!”

Living in a town house, climbing the stairs was virtually impossible and after two months, he had two choices, move home or look for a solution that would allow him to use his first floor again. With a less than buoyant housing market in the UK, there was a risk of losing £10,000’s in moving home and it could take months to find a buyer.

Being a single but very active man, Mr Scales didn’t have anyone he could rely on twenty-four hours a day to assist him but still wanted full access to the first floor of his home and was determined to make a full recovery once he had received a series of operations.

In only three days and for under £2,000, Value Stairlifts were able to assist Mr Scales in sourcing a brand new chairlift complete with swivel seat for easy transfer, lapbelt for safety and security, plus two remote controls to call the chairlift.

We are pleased to report that after 7 months and several operations he has made a full recovery and is now able to walk once more.

We’re not talking riots here, but it seems some people arent too impressed with the new Acorn Stairlifts TV ads. So much so that they have been added to the “Worst Ad of 2008?” short list on the TWA website.

See the article here: Worst TV Adverts (and vote if you wish!)

And we thought it was “old people” who moaned and complained about pointless issues, not the younger generations?

Well, Acorn Stairlifts only currently have 8% of the vote, so it can’t be as bad as the author of the website makes out.