Motability
When I was working in home care in New York and Florida, one of the most common requests I received was for a powered wheelchair or scooter. Medicare has progressively made acquiring a PMD (powered mobility device) more and more difficult. This is largely due to the blatant abuse that has occurred in the system. I've had many patients who lived in 5-story walk up buildings with scooters sitting idle in their living rooms being used as clothes drying racks. The devices had never been used because there was no way to get them downstairs and no way to use them in tiny New York City apartments.
I went to buy a car here in the UK yesterday (yes, I'm finally comfortable enough with my driving to make the leap) and I saw a sign for the "Motability Scheme." I asked what that was. The salesman told me that it is a program where people receiving a certain level of disability payment can actually get a powered wheelchair, scooter or even a car paid for entirely by the disability/NHS system.
A car? I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I looked the system up online and sure enough, if you are disabled, or are caring for someone who is disabled, you can get a brand new car every three years. Here is a link to the Website: www.motability.co.uk/main.cfm?Type=HHSW
I understand the rationale for this. If someone is able to get to their medical appointments, then they are more likely to stay well and not decompensate to the point of crisis. If people can get out and about they can fend off depression and be more active in the community. As a caregiver, one loses time and income in the process of providing care therefore risking the ability to keep and maintain a car. I just wonder how rife with abuse this system may be.
I actually have a new friend here with a neurological condition who has used the program and drives a specially adapted car, which enables her to tend to her own appointments and errands. I wonder how much the car costs the system vs. the cost of an aide of some sort?
It is an interesting idea. What do you think of it?
The bureaucracy continues to delay my start to work here so there is no news to report on that front.