Equipment To Help You In Your Home

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Help With Equipment Fact Sheet
Last updated: September 2010

Introduction

The council offers people equipment to help them manage in their own homes. You are welcome to contactus if you have difficulty carrying out daily activities, or if you have difficulty in helping someone else do things, such as:

• getting around your home
• getting in and out of a chair or bed
• getting in and out of the bath or shower
• getting on and off the toilet
• preparing food or drinks.

We may be able to advise you on different ways of doing these things, provide equipment, or advise on equipment to help you.

When you first contact us we will talk with you about the type of help you need. We will then suggest how your needs may be met; perhaps by providing equipment to maintain your independence, or by giving you advice. The equipment could be to help with bathing or showering, managing in the kitchen, getting up and down stairs, or in and out of your chair or bed.

If you are in hospital, or have just come home from a stay in hospital, a health worker should make sure you have the equipment you need to ensure that you return home safely. They may also make a referral on your behalf to social services to assess your longer-term needs.

What might help?

• Equipment to help with bathing such as bath boards and seats, non-slip mats, shower chairs and powered bath lifts
• Minor adaptations such as internal or external rails
• Major adaptations such as level entry showers, or special hoists
• Products for food preparation, such as lever taps and adapted cooking utensils
• Products to help with the use of beds and chairs, such as bed raisers
• Personal care, such as someone to help you with tasks with or without equipment.

Safety tips

Safety must always be your first consideration. For bathing or showering, think about:

• whether it would be better to bath only when someone else is in the house who could help you if you got into difficulty
• leaving the bathroom door unlocked, if possible
• always using a non-slip mat and removing the plug before you start to get out of the bath.

If in doubt about what might help, do not attempt to use the bath – follow the steps below.

If you need more help finding a solution

An on-line self assessment tool can help you find the right bit of equipment without the inconvenience of going into shops or being pushed into something you really do not want or need. This is provided by the Disabled Living Foundation.

If you already have an idea on what may be helpful, you could use another service offered by the Disabled Living Foundation, an impartial information and advice service about equipment called Living Made Easy

Wiltshire Council’s Adult Care Services can offer you an assessment by an experienced person to help identify the best solution for you and give you information and advice. Following assessment, you may be eligible for help from the council. If you need help because your difficulties arise from a hearing or sight disability, then our hearing and vision team may be able to assess your needs and help you.

To ask for an assessment, please telephone one of our customer advisors on 0300 456 0111.

For further details about ‘Fair Access to Care Services’ (FACS), see our eligibility criteria fact sheet. If you are eligible for help, the equipment will be loaned to you free of charge.

The Independent Living Centre can offer impartial advice and information, free assessments at the centre, by appointment, and the chance to try out a wide range of equipment. The centre can suggest where you can buy and what you need. It also acts as an agent for a local retailer and sells a range of low cost equipment such as walking sticks and tap turners.

Social Services, Community Health (NHS) Services and hospital staff – who does what?

Sometimes, joint health and social care teams based in hospitals work together to make sure you have appropriate services and equipment for returning home. If you have a short-term medical problem, or are waiting for an operation, your doctor will advise you on where you can get the equipment you need, and refer you to an NHS physiotherapist or occupational therapist or nurse.

A physiotherapist may work with you while you are in hospital, as an outpatient, or in your own home. You will be referred to them by your doctor or consultant. They will usually carry out an assessment and give you advice on exercises, pain relief, treatment and things you can do to improve your particular problem. If you need a walking aid, they will advise you on how to use it properly.

An occupational therapist will assess how your illness or disability is affecting your daily living. They will look at how you manage a range of practical activities such as dressing, cooking or bathing. They will then provide advice, equipment or treatment to enable you to become more independent. Occupational therapists will help you find solutions that you can use during your daily life.

If you think you could benefit from an assessment, discuss this with your doctor. They will, if appropriate, refer you to either the NHS neighbourhood teams or to the council’s adult care services, depending on your needs. You may of course speak directly to one of our social care advisors, although in some cases they may ask the NHS neighbourhood team to see you if they feel you would benefit more from their service.

Providing community equipment to meet ongoing needs

Equipment may be prescribed by different health and social care professionals. This may include:

• equipment to help with mobility, household tasks, and bathing
• equipment for the shower and toilet
• pressure care equipment
• beds, hoists, raising and transfer equipment.

Once the appropriate team has assessed your needs and equipment has been recommended, the equipment is provided on loan for however long you have an assessed need. It is important to inform the community equipment store if you have equipment that you no longer need. They will make arrangements to collect and, if possible, recycle it after cleaning and servicing. The community equipment store can be contacted by telephone on 01249 815052.

If you prefer not to have the equipment that the council can offer as standard, you have the option to have a direct cash payment towards the cost of alternative equipment. This equipment would then belong to you.

Equipment loans for a limited period

If you need to borrow equipment for a limited period, for example a wheelchair or commode for your temporary use, or for visitors, this can be arranged through the Red Cross. Some local retailers may also offer equipment on hire. The Independent Living Centre has wheelchairs for hire, on a daily or weekly basis.

If you are paying for equipment or adaptations yourself

Should you decide to proceed privately; if you are not eligible for help from the council, or if a direct payment is being used, the Independent Living Centre will be able to provide details of local equipment suppliers and mail order companies. Many will arrange home demonstrations or have shops you can visit.

Ridgeway Care and Repair can provide minor adaptations and handyperson services at a reasonable cost. They can also provide initial advice on major adaptations. For more information telephone them on 01380 726710.

Some housing associations are also able to help with minor adaptations for their tenants who have difficulties through disability. If you know what would be helpful to you it is worth asking if they can do the work for you. This could include things like second stair rails, grab rails, or small half steps.

Other useful contacts

Disabled Living Foundation
380 – 384 Harrow Road
London
W9 2HU
Telephone: 020 7289 6111
Disabled Living Foundation fact sheets

Independent Living Centre
St George’s Road
Semington
Wiltshire
BA14 6JQ
Telephone 01380 871007

Ridgeway Care and Repair
Sarsen Court
Horton Avenue
Devizes
SN10 2AZ
Telephone 01380 735437

Red Cross
Bradbury House
Caxton Business Park
84 Tower Road North
Warmley
BS30 8XP
Telephone 0117 301 2606

Further help and information

Whatever your financial situation, Wiltshire Council social care customer advisors are there to help you to discuss your circumstances and consider the choices you can make.

For more information about the range of care services available in Wiltshire, see the Wiltshire Care Services Directory 2010/11 available online at the Care Choices website.

Last updated: 21 October 2010