If there are everyday tasks that are becoming increasingly difficult, you might be thinking about adaptations to your home. Examples could include needing help with:
answering the door
managing stairs
using the bathroom or toilet
using kitchen equipment safely.
Sometimes you may need to consider a greater adaptation, for example if you run into trouble:
in and out of your home
moving around your home
using part of your home, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
If you lose vision or hearing or are having problems with your memory there are also a variety of technologies and tools that can help you with your specific needs.
Types of adaptation
For tasks that used to be easy but might have become more difficult, there are many varieties of adaptation and equipment that can make your life easier. Some examples include:
installing a downstairs bathroom
fitting a stairlift – for information on Stairlifts Bristol, visit a site like Pearce Bros, providers of Stairlifts Bristol
widening doors
lowering worktops in the kitchen
installing outdoor stair rails or ramps
installing grab rails in bathrooms
fitting a second staircase banister
Equipment – riser chair
bath or shower chair lift
walking frame
perch bench in the kitchen or bathroom
safety equipment, such as a pendant or alarm
Small kitchen aids – kettle tippers
easy-open can opener
adapted cutlery
Deciding what you need
If you think you need a few adaptations to your home, you should contact the adult social services department of your local council, the local doctor or Clinical Commissioning Group, and request an assessment by a therapist working (OT). This assessment is free.
Getting assessed for mobility aids and adaptations
Before buying equipment, it helps to get a professional assessment of what you actually need. Your local council or a healthcare professional can carry this out, and in some cases the NHS will supply wheelchairs or walking aids. A social worker or GP can refer you for wheelchairs and other mobility aids, and the same route can lead to adaptations such as hand rails or stair rails.
Other changes worth considering include a shower chair, or ramps to make getting in and out of the house easier. Mobility aids themselves range from crutches, canes and walkers to wheelchairs, and some are powered while others are manual and need someone to push or operate them. Where a care worker is helping, they should follow the guidelines for each piece of equipment, because misuse can harm the person using it.