Making life easier for local Parkinson’s patients

HEATING BENEFITS SAVINGS FOR PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON’S IN WESTERN ISLES 

It can be hard to heat your home and fuel poverty is difficult for everyone who experiences it, However, it can be even harder for those with chronic neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, who may have difficulties with movement and walking as this can impact on them being able to keep warm. 

Angela MacLeod, Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialist, and Martha MacLeod, one of Tighean Innse Gall’s (TIG) Fuel Poverty Officers, have worked closely together for the past two years to address fuel poverty for Parkinson’s patients.   

This partnership has developed and evolved from the TIG-led Gluasad Comhla project, which aimed to identify those most in need and provide them with immediate, targeted support, to improve physical, mental and financial well-being for both clients and patients alike.    

There are a number of ways in which households in the Western Isles could receive support.  This includes referrals for new heating systems, free insulation, switching energy tariffs, referrals for benefit checks and help applying for other available schemes. 

One successful referral for a patient with Parkinson’s, took place in February 2019 when they were delighted to find they were entitled to a new heating system worth £14,000.  

The patient said, “To be informed that there was grant assistance available, removed the financial worry and pressure of how to upgrade our 25 year old electric storage heaters that were difficult to regulate.  It also meant we could remove the solid fuel fire which was becoming difficult to manage due to my health conditions.”  

“The invaluable and practical energy saving advice provided by Donald Morrison, Home Energy Scotland, to reduce our energy costs, helped us decide to install the air source heating system.  This system means we have more evenly distributed heat throughout the house that is environmentally friendly and more economical and cheaper to run.  The whole process from start to finish was fast and efficient, with installation done in less than a week.” 

Through Angela, Martha assisted the patient to complete the application process and kept them updated at each stage, which ensured that the grant application process ran smoothly and without any problems.  She also assisted them to identify the most cost-effective electric supplier, a comparison that the household had never undertaken before, and could further reduce their energy costs when undertaken regularly.  

Since then, and aided by some joint visits by Angela and Martha, a further 28 Parkinson’s patients have been referred, which resulted in substantial financial savings totalling £55,500.  This has made a huge difference with regards to local Parkinson’s patients physical, mental and social well-being.   

Another Parkinson’s patient was alarmed to suddenly receive a bill for £1,800 from their utility company, due to their electricity meter having not been read for six years.  This understandably caused much anxiety and impacted on their Parkinson’s symptoms.  However, after been referred to TIG for advice, and them liaising with SSE on the patient’s behalf, the bill was “written off”. 

The patient said “I received an unexpected bill which came at an inopportune moment.  After Angie referred me to Martha from TIG the weight was lifted off our shoulders when Martha took charge and did all the correspondence.   The bill was cancelled and we now have a new realistic tariff which has made a huge difference to us”. 

Islanders are reminded that it’s not just heating that TIG can help with. They can also refer to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s financial inclusion officers with help for benefit checks.   

Another Parkinson’s patient was delighted when they were referred to this service and found out what benefits they were entitled to. 

They said, “I found it absolutely great. I don’t think I would have been successful with my Attendance Allowance claim without the help of Margaret, my financial inclusion officer.  She went through everything and it took a lot of pressure off me.  I wasn’t sure about what, if anything, I would be entitled to, so this has been a huge bonus for me.  The extra money has made life so much easier in terms of heating my home and extra clothing, as with Parkinson’s it is so important to me to keep warm” 

Martha MacLeod commented “Being able to provide targeted, essential advice to clients is at the heart of TIG’s ethos and these dividends are evidenced by the outcomes which have been achieved”. 

Dr E Newman, Consultant Neurologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow, is aware of the project and is fully supportive of it and encourages Parkinson’s patients to find out how their lives could be improved through these financial and energy measures.  

Anyone who would like more information or advice on this can contact TIG by telephoning (01851) 706121 or emailing: info@tighean.co.uk