Aids and Adaptations
If the person you are caring for cannot manage in their home the Disability Service Team (part of your local Social Care and Health Department) can offer help and support to enable people with disabilities carry out everyday activities more safely and easily in their own home.
This is done by making an assessment and drawing up a plan, which may include:
- Suggesting alternative ways of completing an activity.
- Arranging the loan of special equipment for physical or sensory disability.
- Recommending and arranging funding for minor building adaptations.
- Recommending a Disabled Facilities Grant for major alterations to the layout of your home.
- Advising on building alterations and the purchase of equipment.
- Social Work support and other services such as Homecare, Respite Care or a Day Centre.
Before the assessment
it is a good idea to think through the following questions:
- Are their any Aids, Adaptations or Equipment, which you need e.g., hand rails, raised toilet seats etc.?
- Do you need a hoist for moving the cared for e.g. a stair lift, wheelchair, walking frame?
- Do you need equipment to make the home a safer place, temperature controls on taps, cooking appliances etc.?
- Do you need locking devises on car does, or special locks on house doors?
- Do you information on what is available, what choices there are and where to get advice?
- Do you need help or training for using any of the equipment to be provided?
There is now a range of organisations and companies in your area. Who loan equipment to the cared for such as wheelchairs, sticks, zimmer frames and there will be places where you can buy equipment.
Links:
Direct Gov – Trying, choosing and buying equipment www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/HomeAndHousingOptions/YourHome/DG_10028393
Living made easy is an advice and information website (developed by the Disabled Living Foundation) about daily living equipment and other aspects of independent living. www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/scenario.php?csid=199
Essential Aids sell daily living aids to help the disabled community, the elderly and others facing mobility difficulties.www.essentialaids.com
Other links in the disabled access sites in the links section.
For further information contact your CASS Outreach Worker, GP, your local hospital's therapy department or the local Red Cross.
