Building a Lift or Ramp
My mother is 94 and unhappy in the assisted living facility so I plan to bring her back to her house and take care of her. However, I have a big problem in that there are several steps to walk up to the entrance of the property. I need either a ramp or lift. A…
My mother is 94 and unhappy in the assisted living facility so I plan to bring her back to her house and take care of her. However, I have a big problem in that there are several steps to walk up to the entrance of the property. I need either a ramp or lift. A ramp is tough because there is not enough room unless I do a winding one and of course pave the entire lawn as well and tear down the gates around the house… ugh! As for a lift we have a shared drive way and that is another difficulty. Any suggestions? Also, will my mother have to pay for all this from her small savings? Will Medicare or the city help? She is legally blind and so as a handicapped person maybe there is some agency that can assist financially.
This is a unfortunate situation to be apart of for both you and your mother. I would recommend first getting in touch with your local district guide lines for lifts or ramps for the home. Sometimes they will help cover the cost for making your home handicapped accessible and if they don’t they will provide you resources to get in touch with for help.
Next I would see if Medicare will help provide financial assistance.
Finally, I would do research about lift options such as: ramps for your home, lifts for your stairs, lifts for your vehicle, and even lifts for your chairs. (Chair lifts are great to help your mother get herself out of the chair by using a motorized device.)
Once you get in touch with a disability lift dealer, don’t hesitate to ask them for funding advice as they work with people in situations such as yours all of the time. Hope this helps!
This website may help further with your situation, Good Luck!
http://www.liftsfordisabled.com
Check out eldernet–here”s an Albany-area program: http://www.eldernet.com/lifeumbr.htm
the NYC department of aging might be able to help, try 311 to get them.
There is a list of resources for visually impaired on the nyc.gov site: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mopd/html/specific/blv.shtml
perhaps these can be a place to start! good luck to you and your mom!
try getting free estimates from carpenters.
Call the veterans association for info.. they have an architt who might make a housecall for free
You should start with Medicare and see what they will provide. You might find that they will provide a temp ramp or lift that could be rented. You could also call a medical supply house and see what they can suggest.
How about a stair lift ?