Aids and adaptations to help you live independently
We are dedicated to helping you live independently in your own home. Each year we carry out adaptations up to the value of £1500 where these are recommended. Where an OT (Occupational Therapist) recommends work costing over £1,500 and no alternative funding is available, we can sometimes pay for work up to £3,000, with the approval of our director. If we normally provide a repair service to your home, we can help by installing aids and adaptations for you and members of your family who live with you. If you are a leaseholder or homeowner and we don't normally offer repairs, then we'll be happy to advise you on what is available but we won't do the installation work.
When work costs above our £1500 limit, for example level-access showers (where you are not due for a new bathroom), or curved stairlifts, or major adaptations to the property, then the work must be funded by a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). A Disabled Facilities Grant can cover adaptations up to a value of £30,000. This grant is means tested, so you may have to contibute towards it. Unfortunately, we cannot assist with any contribution you may be asked to pay. Please contact your local social services department for more information about the grant but bear in mind that before you apply for a grant, you must first get an OT assessment and recommendation.
Types of adaptations
Aids and adaptations can improve the quality of your life if you are disabled or frail. While we will try and help with adaptations in as many cases as possible, some properties will not be suitable for adaptation. Below are types of adaptations that are available.
External
- Disabled parking bays
- Dropped kerb
- Steps and ramps
- Kee Klamp rails
- External paving for wheelchair access
Access and mobility in and around the home
- Keysafe
- Door widening
- Door entry systems
- Automatic door opener
- Rehanging doors
- Stairlift
- Handrails
- Stair rails
- Grab rails
- Chamfer threshold
Bathroom and toileting
- Toilet frames and bath board
- WC raiser
- Lever taps
- Changing stretcher
- Bathlift
- Ground floor WC
- Overbath shower
- Level access shower - we can't usually pay for removing baths and installing level-access showers. However, if your OT recommends putting in a shower and we are due to replace your bathroom, we will try to install a shower as part of the refurbishment work. Your local social services department can arrange an OT assessment before we start work on your bathroom. Our Customer Service Centre can tell you when your bathroom is due for replacement.
General
- Relocating radiators and storage heaters
- Window winders
- Kitchen alterations
- Electrical sockets
- Ironmongery
- Scuff plates to door and corners
- Hearing aid equipment
Who does the work?
All works are carried out by a number of specialist external contractors. For example, some are general trades based, with experience of this type of work, others are specialists in stair-lift or door entry system installations.
How to apply?
Smaller adaptations can be recommended by your neighbourhood officer or scheme manager. If your housing officer doesn't know enough about your disability, your GP or specialist doctor can be asked to write a letter explaining why you need the adaptation.
For complex cases involving the redesign of your home, contact your social services department for an Occupational Therapy assessment. This assessment may look at and consider other issues that you may not have considered. As well as recommending adaptations, OTs can supply a wide variety of equipment to help with everyday life.
Should you require more information on our adaptations scheme please contact our Customer Service Centre on 0300 123 1567 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
For more information about the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), please contact your Social Services department. To find your Social Services department please visit. www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm
