This is a collaborative post.
The customary needs of a person with impairment may occur overnight, or they could creep up on you over the years, but help is at hand. There are guides available, including how to get an assessment from your local council, how to obtain a Disabled Facilities Grant and also how to make adaptations to the selected residence.
Taking modifications to the chosen home first, there are many ways of getting the necessary financial support for paying for adjustments if you are disabled or if it is a family member or friend who requires help.
It will be decided by where you live, since different local authorities will approach your situation in various ways. Their adult social care team will be the first point of contact to arrange an assessment. There are two types of claims, one for a home assessment and one for a needs assessment. Be patient as there is sometimes a long waiting list. An occupational therapist will visit the residence; this is free, and he/she will ask a few questions to understand what is difficult for the claimant.
Eventually you will be given a list of recommendations for the necessary adjustments that it is advisable you should make. It is normal for the local authority to cover costs of under £1000 worth of changes. A Disabled Facilities Grant for expenses of over £1000 will usually cover a portion of the costs. DFG’s are available to help install a walk-in shower, stairlift, widen your doorways or build an extension. DFG’s are means-tested, so if you have less than £6000 in savings, none of this will be considered.
In emergencies, the NHS can provide financial assistance for some home adaptations. Customarily this happens when going home is preferable to staying in hospital. Wheelchair or mobility scooter ramps are examples of this.
When renting from a landlord, you must obtain permission before making most alterations. If the case is one where a temporary change is necessary, or one where equipment needs to be installed, the law says this is an auxiliary aid, and the landlord should not refuse permission.
Special doorbell and entry systems will certainly assist. These are assistive for people with potential hearing deficiencies and need the extra help hearing what’s happening around them. Accessible door handles or taps are useful for those with poor motor control or grip. They enable ease of operation and are also within this scope.
Temporary grab rails don’t need screws and are a useful addition to areas where slipping is possible. They are attached to the walls to aid when moving around.
Once you have an occupational therapist’s report, you can show a landlord the recommendations. This may be the case if you require a walk-in bath or shower. Essentially, these are ideal for people likely to fall or slip.
Wheelchair users may need to opt for a stairlift inside the home. This is motorised and ideal for those whose facilities are on two floors. Wheelchair and mobility scooter users may need a ramp to gain entry to their property, although permission for a permanent fixture will be required from your landlord.
Services are out there, and if you feel disadvantaged in your own home, making use of them is more than worth a try.