Managing at Home
Everyone has a right to feel safe in their home. You may
find that you are struggling with is being able to, or helping the person you
care for be able to move around the house easily or you could find it difficult
to help the person you care for have a bath or shower.
There are lots of different pieces of equipment which could
help you or the person you care for more independent and make life safer and
easier. There are also assistive technologies, such as telecare and medication
dispensers, which you can use which may also help, especially if you are not
with the person you care for all the time.
Getting some specialist equipment such as handrails, lever taps, and ramps can really help if you or the person you are caring for are finding things difficult. In some cases larger adaptions such as level access showers and stair lifts may be required. Research would suggest that remaining in your own home can provide the best health outcomes and these small adaptations could really help make your lives easier.
How to get help
The first step is to request a needs assessment [link] from
your local council which will usually involve an Occupational Therapist (OT).
The OT is a specialist who will look at what everyday tasks you struggle to do
and suggest easier and safer ways for you to do them. This could involve
providing you with aids or equipment, or recommending adaptations to your home.
Their aim is to keep you as mobile and independent as possible.
During your assessment, make sure you point out any
difficulties you have, for example with getting into bed or bending down to put
on shoes or plug in the vacuum cleaner.
The assessment will also look at whether you need help with
personal care, which includes tasks like washing and dressing. Once you’ve had
the assessment, the OT will explain what the next step will be.
Do I have to pay?
Local authorities are able to charge for services they
provide to meet needs. However, they cannot charge for a service consisting of
the provision of disability equipment and minor adaptations that assist with
nursing at home or aid daily living.
A minor home adaptation is defined as one costing £1,000 or
less in the charging regulations. These are often related to mobility and falls
prevention, for example: a short concrete ramp or shallow steps, a grab rails
by the toilet, extra hand rails or automatic lighting at the front access or
levelling door thresholds.
You’ll only get these adaptations or equipment free if
you’ve been assessed as needing them, which is another good reason to get an
assessment. You may be awarded a direct payment to pay for the adaptions. The
council may not pay for very small aids, such as adapted cutlery or easy-open
can openers, so you’d need to buy those yourself.
Every local authority has disability equipment stores which
are jointly funded and run by themselves and the NHS. Equipment is loaned to
you, for example commodes or walking aids. Your GP, district nurse or community
physiotherapist, can ask for these items to meet your needs.
If you’re assessed as needing an adaptation that costs over
£1,000, you may be able to get help to pay for it. For example, you might be
able to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) of up to £30,000 depending
on your income and savings. You usually won’t be able to get anything if you’ve
already started work on your adaptations before your application has been
approved, so look into this before you start. Bear in mind that this process
can take a while – you should hear within six months whether you qualify for a
DFG and the work should be done within a year of the application, but longer
delays aren’t unusual.
More information
Please click on the links below to find out more information
in your area:
If you live in a different area you can use the link below
to find your local council and search “equipment”
Useful information
Age UK have lots of useful information and provide advice on stair lift installation and have links to reputable suppliers, including Stannah and Handicare. They have also produced a great factsheet about home adaptions.
The Disabled Living Foundation
(DLF) is a national charity providing impartial advice, information and
training on independent living since 1969. Their website is full of useful
information including lists of suppliers and factsheets. They can be contacted 0300
999 0004
AskSARA
is a free and easy to use online self-help guide providing expert advice and
information on products and equipment for older and disabled adults and
children. Answer some questions about yourself and your environment and you’ll
receive a free personalised report, providing clear, tailored advice written by
experts on ways to help with your daily activities. Advice is written by
Occupational Therapists and equipment experts: they do not push products, but
offer recommendations based on your answers.
RiDC, Research
Institute for Disabled Consumers carries out consumer research for older and
disabled people and has information about the likely costs of adaptations and
equipment. They have lots of guides about
equipment and technology.
The Home Improvement Agency
offers reliable information and advice and support people to make modifications
to their homes as their health and needs change through later years especially.
They provide a directory of organisations who will do home improvement works.
There are nearly 200 HIAs in England, sometimes known as
Care & Repair or Staying Put schemes, covering 82% of local authorities. To
check if there’s one in your area call 0300 124 0315 or visit findmyhia.org.uk
Carers UK have a lot of useful information about equipment
Independent
Age have produced a free
guide about Getting Help at Home which includes information about
equipment.
