Over 55s living/ Long term illness help

helpintipp

Hi,

I posted in the Tipperary forum, specifically Thurles but it is very quiet.

My relative has been diagnosed with a life long illness that is going to get worse over time affecting the nervous system, walking etc will become difficult, it already is. I am trying to see what might be suitable for her.

She currently rents but the house is not suitable as the stairs are very steep. She is also currently working and earning too much to qualify for HAP or a council house. So I'm not really sure what options there are. There is no reason for her to stop working and she wouldn't want to. Between one thing and another she never bought a house, and with this now and being 58 I think that ship has sailed.

Where can we look for some guidance and what to expect with regards to her living situation in future?

xyz13

Move out (apartment) and maybe hire a caregiver?

Caranica

Is there some sort of sheltered accommodation available? An older friend rents a small semi-detached bungalow on the grounds of the local nursing home.

Ezeoul

Presuming your relative is living alone, I would suggest they start planning for their future now, and the first step is beginning a search for a one bed ground floor apartment.

Then, when eventually she does need to stop working, she can apply for assistance with her rent. Currently, a landlord cannot end a tenancy because a tenant's circumstances change and they need to apply for HAP which is the most likely outcome for your friend.

But there are rules to HAP, and one of them is accommodation must be a suitable size. So for example, they won't approve HAP for a 2/3 bedroom house for a single person.

Another suggestion, is she could apply to one of the Approved Housing Bodies in her county. (Again, probably won't qualify until she needs to stop working). I have a friend, a single lady, who was housed in a one-bed apt by Respond on grounds of a permanent, irreversible disability. (She was in full-time employment, but was under the earnings threshold.)

helpintipp

Thanks all. I have been keeping an eye on Daft etc. There are no one beds in the area. @Ezeoul I didn't know that they wouldn't approve HAP for a 'bigger' house than needed. It is a tiny house but technically has 3 bedrooms.

She does live alone. I will talk to her but unless I do the leg work it is likely nothing will be done

helpintipp

I have heard there is an over 55s apartment block in Thurles but I cannot find it on google.

Gregor Samsa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122222067#Comment_122222067

Talk to the Thurles Lyons Trust Housing Association. If their own offerings (which include both social and privately rented accommodation) don't suit or aren't available, they might be able to tell you about other options in the area.

https://tlh.ie

helpintipp

@Gregor Samsa thanks a mill :)