A GRIEVING pensioner has been unable to shower for four MONTHS because basic adaptations were not carried out at his home.

David Miller, 76, has been left languishing in his own house since the death of his wife Joan at the end of June.

The senior citizen, who is awaiting a hip operation and has an ear condition which affects his balance, was promised a raft of adaptations to his home — including hand rails and a community alarm — after his wife’s death, to help maintain his independence.

But the former precision engineer says nothing happened, leaving him feeling badly let down by the authorities.

The final straw came when a contractor called last Monday afternoon looking to speak to ‘Mrs Miller’ about the installation of hand rails, despite the fact she had passed away four months ago.

Mr Miller said: “I’ve never complained but enough is enough.

“Monday was the last straw, phoning for Mrs Miller — I couldn’t believe it.

“I’ve lost my independence.

“I haven’t showered since my wife passed away because it’s too dangerous.

“I can only walk 10 or 12 steps and I’ve fallen three or four times.

“Nothing has been done.”

The pensioner also suffered three break-ins at his Kilmacolm home, including on two consecutive nights, with a cherished watch given to him by his late wife among the stolen goods.

He was also promised a new light for outside his property to improve visibility but says that has not happened either.

Mr Miller, whose son works away from home and daughter visits daily to help out as much as she can, said: “I’ve had no other help or support in my own house.

“I can’t even shower.

“My daughter does washing and cleaning up all the time.

“If she wasn’t there I couldn’t even buy a loaf.”

Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is responsible for care at home services for adults and older people.

The organisation is a joint partnership between the council and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde health board.

A local authority spokesman apologised for any distress caused to Mr Miller and said the necessary work would be carried out immediately.

He said: “The most recent assessment from our occupational therapist recommended some additional equipment to supplement what Mr Miller already has in place.

“After being contacted by his GP on Tuesday we discovered that there has been a short delay, partly to do with contractor issues.

“We apologised to Mr Miller for this and assured him that the equipment, both the additional grab rail and community alarm, would be installed.

“The distressing phone call to Mr Miller was from a contractor who has since, rightly, apologised for the entirely understandable upset caused to Mr Miller.”