Equipment and adaptations to aid daily living
In this section:
- Buy for yourself
- Complete a Self Assessment Form
- Contact Solihull Council Housing direct
- If you already have another service from the NHS or the Council, they might be able to arrange for the provision of equipment and adaptations for you
- Contact the Occupational Therapy Team
How to obtaining equipment and adaptations to aid daily living
Equipment and adaptations can make things easier when carrying out every day tasks. Before beginning to look for equipment, it is important to be clear about exactly which tasks are becoming difficult, and then for each task, pinpoint exactly why things are difficult.
This may seem obvious; however, not all difficulties are best helped by equipment and certain items of equipment can be more helpful in certain situations than in others.
Simple equipment and adaptations to your home can often help you to be safer and more independent, and can sometimes enable people to remain in their own homes when they might otherwise have to move into a residential home.
We will always look at the most modest solution to a problem. For example, if you cannot manage to get in and out of the bath safely, the provision of basic bathing equipment may be all that is required to enable you to regain independence. There is often no need for complex, lengthy and disruptive alterations such as the installation of a shower.
If simple equipment and adaptations do not solve your difficulties, we may recommend re-housing or more major adaptations to your existing home, for example installing a shower or a vertical lift (see major adaptations).
How to obtaining equipment and adaptations to aid daily living:
- Buy for yourself
- Complete a Self Assessment Form
- Contact Solihull Council Housing direct
- If you already have another service from the NHS or the Council, they might be able to arrange for the provision of equipment and adaptations for you.
- Contact the Occupational Therapy Team
1. Buy for yourself:
Whilst many people choose to wait for an assessment by an OT (Occupational Therapist) or OTA, (Occupational Therapy Assistant) we recognise that others may simply require advice prior to buying equipment or proceeding with adaptations. Please refer to - How can the Occupational Therapist help?
If you have been told that you might be eligible for help from an OT but must wait for your needs to be assessed, and you have decided to go ahead and buy equipment on your own, you may need and benefit from professional advice.
Listed below are details of organisations and businesses that may be able to assist you to resolve your difficulties privately; however please note - the OT service cannot reimburse you for any equipment or adaptations undertaken privately.
Assist Birmingham Centre: ABC, Saint Marks Street, Springhill, Birmingham, B1 2UH. Tel: 0121 464 4942
Centre providing assessment and demonstration facility for equipment and adaptations. It is essential to book an appointment prior to visiting.
Disabled Living Foundation: www.dlf.org.uk
Excellent source of fact sheets regarding how to choose the best piece of equipment to meet your needs. Wide range of topics covered including walking equipment, wheelchairs, bath equipment, shower adaptations, advice on design and children’s equipment.
Fact sheets can be downloaded on-line, free of charge; alternatively telephone:
0845 130 9177.
Website of the United Kingdom Government: www.Direct.gov.uk
Source of comprehensive information. Click on the “Disabled People” section, then go to “Home & Housing” or “Health & Support”
Private OT, you may wish to contact a Private OT for an assessment. Occupational Therapists have to be registered with the Health Professionals Council and the College of Occupational Therapists has a list of HPC registered OT’s working privately (www.otip.co.uk/directory/index.htm or 0800 389 4873).
Shopmobility, 08456 442446, have scooters and wheelchairs for hire at many shopping centres. Many supermarkets have wheelchairs for use in their shops and most visitor attractions have wheelchairs and scooters for use while on site.
Tourism for All, 0845 124 9971, have information on hotels & self catering accommodation with special equipment such as hoists.
Disability Information and Advice Line services (DIALs), 0121 770 0333, provide information and advice to disabled people and others on all aspects of living with a disability.
Enable Solihull, 0121 788 1544, www.enable-solihull.org.uk, provides a unique voice in Solihull bringing together over 30 disability support organisations, representative of a diversity of disability needs.
RNIB, 0121-705 7996, provides, on behalf of Solihull MBC, a service to visually impaired Solihull residents. This service includes registration, support, advice and rehabilitation.
BID Services with Deaf people, 0121 246 6100 (Voice), Minicom: 0121 246 6101, info@bid.org.uk, BID provides a range of specialist support and advice to not only the Deaf community but people and organisations regarding Deaf issues.
AbilityNet, 0800 269545, is a national charity helping disabled adults and children use computers and the internet by adapting and adjusting their technology.
Afasic (Unlocking Speech and Language), 0845 355 5577, the UK charity representing children and young adults with communication impairments, working for their inclusion in society and supporting their parents and carers.
Speakability (formerly Action for Dysphasic Adults), 0808 808 9572, speakability@speakability.org.uk. An organization which supports people living with aphasia and their carers through its information service, national network of groups and activities programme.
Jobcentre Plus, 0845 6060 234, Disability Employment Advisers are usually based in Jobcentre Plus offices. They can provide specialist support on employment issues.
Ricability, 020 7427 2460, mail@ricability.org.uk, is the trading name of the Research Institute for Consumer Affairs (RICA). We are a national research charity dedicated to providing independent information of value to disabled and older consumers.
Please also see the Equipment Prescribed by other Professionals, as your GP or District Nurse are also responsible for assessing for some services and equipment.
Once you have a clearer idea on the products that are right for you, you can locate information on local shops in your telephone book or on the internet (try looking under Disability Equipment or Disability Information Services). The Disabled Living Foundation: www.dlf.org.uk or 0845 130 9177 and Assist Birmingham Centre Tel: 0121 464 4942 can also help. We are unable to recommend individual shops.
Some local shops for independent living equipment, include:
A.M. Mobility
767-769 Old Lode Lane, Solihull, B92 8JE
Tel: 0121-688 6230
Real Care
270 Church Rd, Sheldon, B26 3YH.
Tel: 0121 742 4566
Keep Able Ltd
182-186 Robin Hood La, Birmingham, B28 0LG
Tel: 0121-777 8383
Bathex Ltd
1486 Warwick Rd, Knowle, Solihull, B93 9LE
Tel: 01564 778805
Capitol Mobility Services Ltd
Unit 5/Vulcan Rd, Solihull, B91 2JY
Tel: 0808-155 1148
Foster & Cross Ltd
Shadow Brook La, Hampton-in-Arden, Solihull, B92 0DL
Tel: 01675 445860
Lift Care Ltd
42 Doveridge Rd, Birmingham, B28 0LU
Tel: 0121-779 5505
When choosing a builder to carry out work, you can refer to:
- Disabled Living Foundation: www.dlf.org.uk or 0845 130 9177 for information/leaflets on selecting builders and agreeing builders contracts.
- Solihull Councils ShipShape list: www.solihull.gov.uk and follow the links to Trading Standards and Shipshape or telephone 0121 704 6000. This list provides details of builders experienced in different types of work who have agreed to fair, professional and honest trade.
- The Private Sector Services Team of Solihull MBC, Tel. 0121 717 1444 also offer technical advice for disabled people wishing to carry out adaptations themselves.
2. Complete a Self Assessment Form
You can request to have a Self Assessment Form to be sent out to you by contacting the Occupational Therapy, Tel. 0121 329 0191
Please complete the self assessment form and return it to us in the self addressed envelope provided.
Once we have received your completed form, we will either contact you by phone or write to you to let you know if we feel you are eligible for a service. We may be able to provide simple equipment and minor adaptations based upon the information you provide. However, if further assessment is required we will estimate when someone from the occupational therapy team is able to visit you. Please be aware that owing to a high demand for our service, there may be a delay before we can see you.
If you have difficulty filling out this form, you may prefer to speak to our duty officer. If we need to return your call it would help if you told us the best times to return your call.
3. Contact Solihull Council Housing direct
If you are a Council tenant, the FAST TRACK service may be able to fit simple grab handles and rails for you without seeing an OT.
Telephone 0121 717 1515 for more information.
4. If you already see someone from the NHS or the Council, they might be able to arrange for the provision of equipment and adaptations for you
A number of people in Solihull NHS Care Trust and Solihull Council Housing are able to assess and provide a selection of simple pieces of equipment/adaptations.
If your GP is involved and feels it is appropriate he/she can arrange provision of items such as:
- Commode, Toilet Frame, Raised Toilet Seat, Urinals, Bath Board, Walking Stick, Back Rest and Bed Cradle, Helping Hand.
If you see a District Nurse and he/she feels it is appropriate they can arrange provision of items such as:
- Commode, Mobile Commode, Toilet Frame, Raised Toilet Seat, Urinals, Bath Board, Bath Seat, Bath Step, Shower Stools and chairs, Walking Frame/ Stick, Bed, Bed Raisers, Cot sides, Back Rest, Bed Cradle, Shoe Horn, Helping Hand, Glide sheets and Transfer Boards.
If you see a Physiotherapist and he/she feels it is appropriate they can arrange provision of items such as:
Commode, Walking Frame/ Stick, Crutches, Shoe Horn, Helping Hand, Glide sheets and Transfer Boards.
If you see a Safe and Sound officer and he/she feels it is appropriate they can arrange provision of items such as:
Grab Rail, Stair Rail, Lever Taps, Raised Toilet Seat, Toilet Frame, Bed Leaver, Leg lifter, Bed Raiser, Chair Raisers, Kettle Tipper, Helping Hand and Tap Turner.
The following types of equipment are prescribed as follow:
- Mobility Equipment - Please contact your GP’s surgery for referral to the Community Physiotherapist. The Community Physiotherapist can also provide assessment for specialist mobility equipment e.g. elbow/full crutches, braces.
- Pressure Relief Equipment, e.g. bed cradles, bed boards, mattresses, sheepskins and other alternatives - Please contact District Nursing Service via your GP’s surgery.
- Continence Supplies - Please contact the Continence Adviser on 0121 770 8205.
- Foot stools and Nursing Equipment - Please contact the District Nursing Service via your GP’s surgery.
- Wheelchairs - Please contact the Wheelchair Service on 0121 770 0900. Repairs for wheelchairs provided by the NHS ring 0121 458 4111- This is a free service.
- Care line Pendant Alarm System - Please contact Safe and Sound, Tel. 0121 704 6881/6922
5. Contact the Occupational Therapy Team
The Occupational Therapy (OT) Service helps people to live more productive lives. It enables people with disabilities to carry out essential activities, with the aim of maintaining or improving independence.
How can the Occupational Therapist help?
Occupational Therapists assess how people are managing everyday activities such as washing, dressing and climbing the stairs.
Ways of overcoming problems may include teaching you new ways of doing things, recommending special equipment, or alterations to your home; sometimes simply advice is enough.
Equipment and adaptations can make things easier when carrying out every day tasks. Before beginning to look for equipment, it is important to be clear about exactly which tasks are becoming difficult, and then for each task, pinpoint exactly why things are difficult.
This may seem obvious; however, not all difficulties are best helped by equipment and certain items of equipment can be more helpful in certain situations than in others.
Who qualifies for an assessment?
If you live in Solihull and have a permanent and substantial disability that means you have significant difficulties with tasks such as these:
- Reaching essential facilities within your home (toilet, bedroom, bathroom)
- Using the toilet
- Getting in and out of a bed or chair
- Preparing hot drinks and essential food
- Using either a bath or shower
- Getting in and out of your home
We use Fair Access to Care guidance from the Department of Health to determine whether people qualify for a service.
Who can make a referral and how?
Anyone can make a referral to the OT Service. Referrals are usually taken by phone (telephone number 0121 329 5630), so that we can ask specific questions about your needs.
What type of assessment will be carried out?
Normally, a telephone assessment will be carried out by a trained duty officer who will take basic details of your difficulties and ensure that you, or the person speaking on your behalf, are directed to the right department. In some cases the duty officer might be able to give advice or arrange provision of simple pieces of equipment and minor adaptations that meets your needs.
If we are unable to contact you by telephone we might send you (or someone who acts on your behalf) a self assessment form to complete. In some cases we might be able to arrange provision of simple pieces of equipment and minor adaptations that meets your needs from the information that you provide in the self assessment
(See - 2. Complete a Self Assessment Form)
If your needs are more complex and we are not able to resolve it through a telephone or online assessment, your case will have to be allocated to an Occupational Therapist (OT) or Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) to visit you at home. The allocated OT/OTA will then carry out a more detailed assessment to identify your needs and to agree a plan of action.
There could be a delay for your case to be allocated. Priority is given to people who are permanently and substantially disabled and who might otherwise need to leave their own home.
You might wish to obtain advice or an assessment privately (see - 1. Buy for yourself)
Equipment prescribed by the Occupational Therapy Service
Equipment recommended by an OT following an assessment is loaned, free of charge from our Integrated Equipment Stores (IES).
For safety reasons only a restricted range of equipment is available via the OT self-assessment service, but these are also loaned free of charge.
All equipment provided through IES remains the property of Solihull NHS Care Trust and will be maintained as required and replaced by IES if appropriate and necessary. Please contact IES (Tel. 7700 900) to report repairs.
If you no longer need any equipment that has been loaned to you, you can let the IES know and they will collect it (Tel. 0121 770 0900).
Some large pieces of equipment are provided as part of a Disabled Facilities Grant, this means the equipment belongs to you and that you are responsible for repairing and maintaining it. You will be advised if your equipment falls into this category.
Smaller items of equipment that are readily available in shops may not be provided. You can buy these types of equipment from local or national suppliers, and several are listed in local telephone books. Try looking under Disability Equipment or Disability Information Services (see 1. Buy for yourself).
The OT Service is unable to help with:
- Provision of equipment on short term loan, e.g. going on holiday, for use when shopping, or for use by visiting relatives/friends. The Red Cross may be able to help in such circumstances and their local contact numbers are:
- 0121 472 2078 (Selly Oak)
- 0121 352 0692 (Streetly)
- 02476 304200 (Coventry).
- Patients discharged from hospital should have a care plan which has been devised to include any equipment & support they may need from relatives, health professionals & social services. If this is not the case, please raise your concerns with hospital ward staff.
- Everyday household items such as furniture, kitchen appliances, irons etc are not provided by the OT Service. If you cannot afford to replace such items, local charities such as Bethel and the Salvation Army may be able to help. Alternatively, your Care Manager may be able to provide assistance via the Social Fund.
- General Household Repairs:
- Private tenants – any repairs are likely to be the responsibility of your Landlord, please contact them or refer to your tenancy agreement.
- Council tenants – telephone 0121 717 1515
- Elderly owner-occupiers can consider using the Handy Person and Gardening Service, contact Private Sector Services Team on 0121 717 1450. In limited circumstances people may qualify for grant aid for essential repairs, telephone Private Sector Services Team on 0121 717 1551 to find out more.
- Provision of equipment in residential/nursing homes: Residential/Nursing homes are responsible for assessing and providing equipment and adaptations to assist people living in this type of home.
Minor adaptations
This might include fitting additional stair rails, grab handles and adapting small steps.
When this type of work is recommended by a member of the OT Service it is usually carried out by contractors working on our behalf, at no cost to the householder.
The only exception to this may be if you live in a local authority or housing association. In this instance the work may be carried out by the landlord's own technicians.
(Also see – 3. Contact Solihull Council Housing direct & 4. If you already see someone from the NHS or the Council, they might be able to arrange for the provision of equipment and adaptations for you)
Major adaptations
If the problems you are experiencing cannot be resolved by the provision of equipment or minor adaptations, we may need to look at having major adaptations to access essential facilities in the property. Major adaptations can include the following:
- changing the layout of rooms
- changing the use of rooms
- use of a lift
- extending the property if the available space within it is not adequate
This type of work is not funded by the Care Trust. To help with the cost there are currently grants available called Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG). These grants are means tested so, dependent upon your individual financial circumstances, you may either be awarded a full grant, be asked to contribute something towards the cost of the works, or you may not be eligible for any grant help.
If, you feel that you are unable to pay your assessed contribution then you will need to find an alternative source of funding, for example a commercial loan from a bank or building society. If you are genuinely unable to meet the cost or have any concerns about this then discuss the problem with your OT.
Applications for these grants require the support of an OT. They must be approved before the work is undertaken, and the grant cannot be paid after the work has been carried out.
*Applications made in respect of a child are no longer means tested.
You might wish to pursue the installation of major adaptations privately. Please see 1. Buy for yourself
How long will it take to get equipment or adaptations?
The length of time that it will take to provide equipment or carry out any adaptations depends on many factors. This can include the availability of disabled facilities grants funding. It can also depend on the lead times of manufacturers, suppliers and builders and the complexity of what is being proposed as well as the workloads of the different teams involved. This makes it extremely difficult to accurately advise on how long any particular work may take to complete.
Following the assessment, any recommended equipment which is held in stock by our Stores should be delivered within seven working days (we do recycle equipment in order to make best use of resources, so some items you receive may not be brand new, however they will have been thoroughly checked and cleaned to ensure they are suitable for re-issue).
Specialist equipment which needs to be ordered, and which may need to be manufactured specially, may take longer to supply, depending on the manufacturer and may also be subject to the release of funds.
Most minor adaptations such as the fitting of rails should be carried out within seven working days, depending on the type of work.
A major adaptation of a person’s home which involves an application for a Disabled Facilities Grant can be a long process. Where there is particular urgency, we will endeavour to speed this process up but this is more likely to be possible where the adaptation is fairly straightforward.
These timescales are only a rough guide and the OT or Technical Officer will be able to give you more accurate advice on your particular circumstances.