Moving to an Accessible Home in Later Life

Helping Ernie Move into His New Accessible Home

Imagine this: you’ve recently lost your wife, then your leg, and now you’re told you have just two weeks to move to a new flat. Everything is changing so fast, and you’re relying on the amazing women in your life to take care of the details and make sure everything goes smoothly. This is exactly what 84-year-old Ernie was facing. But thanks to the dedication and hard work of Kingsway Care’s Client Coordinator, Denise, Ernie’s move turned into a story of hope and new beginnings in later life.

“Ernie coped remarkably well with the house move. It was just the ladies around him stressing!“ Denise Barnard, Client Coordinator 

Moving From East Sussex to West Sussex 

Ernie, who is also learning to use his new electric wheelchair, was set to move from East Sussex to Southwick in West Sussex. This move was a big deal because it would allow him to live in a brand-new, fully accessible flat. But with such a short notice period, there were plenty of hurdles to overcome. 

Organising the Hospital Bed Delivery 

Denise moved mountains to ensure Ernie had a hospital bed delivered to his new accessible flat in West Sussex just before he moved in. 

One of the biggest challenges was figuring out how to get Ernie’s profile (hospital) bed — an essential piece of equipment — moved to his new flat. The problem? The equipment supplier in East Sussex couldn’t transport the bed to West Sussex, and the new supplier had a waiting list. But Denise didn’t give up. She spent days calling district nurses and occupational therapists, trying to find a solution. Finally, with the help of a kind district nurse, a bed was delivered over the weekend, just in time for Ernie’s move-in date. 

Focusing on Mobility Needs in Later Life

Denise didn’t just stop at sorting out the bed. She met with Kellie, our field supervisor, on moving day to go over any concerns and ensure everything in the new flat was set up just right. They made sure Ernie’s bed was in a safe position, thinking carefully about his mobility needs. 

When they found out that Ernie’s front door was difficult to open, which could be a fire hazard, Denise immediately contacted Adur Council Housing. They sent a fire assessor right away, and Denise was there to make sure everything was handled quickly so that Ernie could stay safe in his new home. 

Designed for Wheelchair Accessibility 

Ernie’s journey to his new accessible flat began with a Social Worker assessment last year, highlighting the challenges he faced in his previous home, which lacked wheelchair-accessible doorways. Thanks to this assessment, Ernie was placed on the housing list and ultimately secured a top spot in Adur Homes’ new build scheme, where his needs for accessibility were prioritised.

Ernie’s new flat is a dream come true. It’s a one-bedroom bungalow with a low-level kitchen, a bathroom sink, and a spacious wet room—all designed to make his life easier. While some small changes are still needed, these will be taken care of in the coming weeks.

Denise even took care of the little things, like ordering new sheets after a few went missing during the move. Her attention to detail and care for Ernie’s comfort made all the difference.

Looking Forward to New Adventures

Now that the move is complete, Ernie is ready to enjoy his new life. Kingsway Care supports Ernie with four visits a day so that he can live independently in his new home. Plus now he has an electric wheelchair, we’re planning weekly outings so he can explore his new Southwick community and enjoy the freedom he deserves.