MS and your home

People with MS may have problems with walking or getting about at some time. Your home should be accessible or capable of being adapted. If you get dizzy spells, a house with only a few steps will be easier to deal with, and installing grab rails will make it safer.

Some people with MS need to use the toilet a lot, so having a loo both upstairs and downstairs is important.

MS and your family

If you are thinking of moving to be closer to relatives, think carefully about what you might be giving up - a network of friends or social activities, or a convenienet home or neighbourhood can be hard to replace.

If you need extra care, an adapated home will also make things easier for your partner or carer - and that will make you feel better too.

If your earnings are important to the family budget, you might want to think about how you will pay for your home.

Just remember

• Don't feel you have to rush into making decisions about where you live
• Try to avoid making major decisions when you are unwell or feeling low
• If you need someone to talk to, you can contact the MS helpline, one of the regional counselling lines or your local MS society

What to look for in a home

Whether you are planning to stay or to move, it is important to know what to look for. Adaptability is the key issue. How easily could adaptations be made, if your needs change in the future?

Location

It may be important for you to live near shops, schools, library, post office, college, surgery or other services. Do you want to live near family or friends? Could you get help at home if you needed it?

If you drive, is there a convenient parking space near the front door? If you use public transport, is there a bus stop or station near? Are there hills or slopes in the area? What are the pavements like? Do they have dropped kerbstones?

Layout

Look out for homes with large rooms and wide hallways. The kitchen should be large enough to move around in a wheelchair or walking frame if necessary and to allow for extra cupboards to be fitted, if you want to lower the height of the worktops.

Are the living areas close together or seperated by internal steps? Could you make a bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor if you needed to?

Is there a back or side entrance you could use if you wanted to get a wheelchair or scooter in without going through the house? Is there somewhere to store a wheelchair or scooter and batteries for a power chair?

Gardens can be a great source of pleasure - but remember they need regular attention.

Stairs and lifts

Straight flights of stairs, with rails, are easy to use and stairlifts can be fitted to them. Is there room to install a vertical lift? If there are steps up to the front door, is there room for a ramp?

Bathrooms and toilets

Is there a toilet upstairs and downstairs? Is the bathroom big enough to move around in a wheelchair? Is there a shower and is it easily accessible? Are the bathroom walls strong enough to have grab rails fitted?

Doors and windows

Are the doors reasonably wide (at least 750mm)? Is the front door flush or is there a threshold you have to step over? Are living room windows low enough to see out when you are sitting down?

Heating and maintenance

Is it easy to heat the house and what does it cost? South-facing living rooms are warmer in winter and save on bills. Will the house need much work to maintain?

Security

How safe does the area feel? Security measures like window bars or better locks can make a home feel more secure. Would you prefer to live somewhere with a concierge or warden, or to be connected to a community alarm?

Noise

Have you visited the house at different times of the day and at night? Is the neighbourhood noisy? Is there adequate sound insulation?

Making adaptations to your home

Adaptations to your house can make it easier for you to live in. You have a right to help with planning and paying for adaptations. But even with help, it is not a quick or a painless process.

Having your needs assessed

The social services department of your local authority has a responsibility to assess you and your home. This will normally be done by an occupational therapist. There may be a waiting list for assessments.

Applying for grants

You can apply to the housing department of your local district council for a disabled facilities grant (DFG) at the same time as you apply for an assessment. Grants are usually available up to £20,000 (£24,000 in Wales).

Some councils and housing associations adapt their own properties without using grants. If you are a private tennant, you can apply for a DFG, but the application has to be agreed by the landlord. If you move within five years, you may have to pay back part of the grant.

Paying for the work

The grant system required you to contribute to the grant, unless you are on a low income. Many people have difficulty finding their share. Social services may agree to top up the grant or make a loan. MS Society branches often have funds available to help top up costs, or assist people who cannot get a grant.

Other assistance

Home repair grants for small jobs may be given if you are on benefit. You do not have to contribute, but the council is not obliged to give you the grant. Council tenants are not eligible.

Some councils' social services departments will pay for inexpensive adaptations, such as grab rails, without much red tape.

Preparing for the work

The key is in establishing a good relationship with your occupational therapist, or in some areas the contact person nominated by the housing department, and keeping them involved throughout the process.

Find out exactly what adaptations are being proposed and make sure that they suit your needs. Some councils may want to do all the work you might ever need, in one go. Don't be afraid to say you want something different. Remember that adaptations will affect the whole family. Be assertive about any delays that occur.

If you need back-up, or want to see what other people with MS have had done to their homes, get in touch with your local MS Society branch. Don't start the work before the grant is approved - you will lose the grant.

Getting the work done

Once you have got the grant approved, it is normally up to you to get quotes from builders and take them on. Most councils will have a list of approved contractors. In some areas special agencies, often called Staying Put or Care and Repair, can offer help.

Make sure you get proper invoices and are satisfied with the work before you pay for it.

Finding and choosing a new home

You may have a number of choices available to you if you decide to move, whether you choose to rent or buy.

Getting advice

You may want to get advice about the different types of housing that are on offer. Most councils provide a housing advice service. Shelter has a network of independent advice centres. Specialist housing services for people with disabilities are available in some areas of the country.

Buying a new home

It may be easier to opt for a new house. Some developments include a few accessible homes and developers may be willing to alter plans to meet your needs. Look out for 'lifetime homes' - these are specially designed to be adaptable.

In some regions you can ring a House Builders Federation hotline to obtain details of new housing developments.

Buying a second-hand home

There is no easy way to find an accessible or adaptable second-hand home. Estate agents will be able to tell you about the size of rooms but may be unable to give you important information on details such as the number of steps.

In general, flats with lifts, bungalows and suburban style semi-detahced or detached houses will be easier to live in and adapt than narrow-fronted terraced houses.

Council and housing association homes

If you want to rent a home from the council or a housing association, you have to apply to the council. The Government requires councils to give priority to people with disabilities, including those with MS. The council can probably help you to fill in the application form - it is important to make your case well.

You can apply direct to any associations that specialise in housing for people with disabilities, as well as going through the council.

Some councils have restrictions on housing owner occupiers or people from outside the area. You can appeal if refused on these grounds. Get advice about moving to another council area - you may need to be nominated by your current authority.

Applying as a homeless person

Separate procedures apply if you are regarded as homeless (for instance, if you are unable to live in your current home). Get advice if this might apply to you.

Moving into another rented property

If you live in a council or housing association property and the house is unsuitable, you should get priority for a transfer. If you want to transfer to another area, you will need to do this through the national HOMES Scheme.

Special accommodation

Some people may want the convenience and security of a specially designed property, with or without a warden. Contact the Housing Corporation, Scottish Homes or Tai Cymru/Housing for Wales for a list of specialist housing associations active in your area.

You can talk to the council if you are interested in sheltered housing.

Shared ownership