When supporting someone with a physical disability, home adaptations and equipment can be hugely beneficial in promoting the autonomy and independence of the person you care for, both at home and when out and about. Making adaptations or using specialist equipment can also help to maintain someone’s dignity and help them to continue to do things they enjoy, improving wellbeing and quality of life. This article explores some of the equipment and technology available to support someone with a physical disability.
What adaptations are available?
When thinking about how equipment can support someone to live as independently as possible, an important first step is to ensure that their home is accessible. For some individuals with a physical disability, adaptations may be required. Adaptations are changes which can be made to help someone get in and around their home and access the facilities at home more easily and with reduced risk.
Adaptations in the home, such as ramps and widened doorways can make it easier for wheelchairs and walkers to move through. Worktops, sinks and hobs can also be lowered to help someone to cook independently. Changes can also be made in the bathroom, such as a wet room, a roll-in shower or a walk-in tub.
Adaptations can also be made outside of the home, like outdoor ramps and step rails which can be a great support. Outside lights and intercom systems can also aid with security.
Equipment and gadgets that can help
There are a huge variety of equipment and gadgets which can help someone with a physical disability to mobilise, look after their needs and stay safe at home. The right equipment will depend on the type of physical disability and their needs but mobility aids can include wheelchairs, walkers and canes, and stand-aids and assists such as the Sara Stedy sit-to-stand aid.
For adults with a physical disability, it can be important to have equipment in the home to help them move around and transfer safely. In the bathroom equipment such as grab bars, shower chairs, bath boards and benches, and raised toilet seats can all help someone to use the toilet and shower more independently.
Adjustable beds, bed rails, hoists and lift systems can also help with transferring and positioning. Items such as sliding sheets, transfer boards and body protectors are useful tools to help with moving and handling.
In addition to specialist equipment, there is also a wide range of adapted tools, such as kitchen utensils and adaptive clothing which can make day to day tasks more easily achievable. For example reachers, and adjustable-height countertops which make preparing meals and cooking in the kitchen easier for someone in a wheelchair. Button hooks, zip pullers and leg-lifters can also be used support someone with a physical disability to dress themselves, helping them to maintain their independence, autonomy and self-esteem.
Applying for and accessing home adaptations and equipment
When thinking about making changes to the home, or accessing equipment to support someone with a physical disability, it can be helpful to explore what equipment would be most useful. Getting an understanding of the condition and their specific needs, and your needs as a carer will be the guide to deciding what adaptations or equipment will work best.
You might begin by having a conversation with the person you are caring for, discussing their daily challenges and identifying areas where home adaptations or specialised equipment could make a significant difference. If the person you are caring for has been in hospital, part of the hospital discharge process will be to make sure your home is suitable and accessible, and this can include providing you with small adaptations like grab rails or temporary ramps, and/or paid care support.
If you require larger adaptations, they are more likely to go through your local authority following a social services Care Needs Assessment, Carer’s Assessment and/or an assessment from your Occupational Therapist (OT).
This process can take some time so it can be worth starting that conversation early in the journey.
If you don't own your home, you will need to speak to your landlord or the homeowner to get permission to make any home adaptations. A landlord may accept reasonable adjustments like changing taps or a door entry system (although they can refuse more permanent, structural changes if they provide their reasons).
Funding the cost of home adaptations and equipment
Home adaptations and specialist equipment can be expensive but there is often support available to help cover costs. In most cases, your local authority will be able to offer some support for home adaptations but the level of support varies for each area. Each authority usually has a home adaptations team that works alongside the social care team carrying out your needs assessment.
Local authorities may also pay for minor adaptations or small pieces of equipment costing up to £1000, like a walker or handrails. This support is not means tested, meaning that your financial situation is not taken into account when assessing whether the person you care for is suitable for this funding. Each local authority will have their own process and eligibility criteria for this so it is worth speaking to your social care team for the most relevant information.
When your Care Needs Assessment or OT Assessment is being completed, generally the local authority can also carry out a Financial Assessment to see if you qualify for support to cover any higher costs of equipment or adaptations required.If you do qualify, your local authority can support you in applying for funding from schemes such as the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). This means-tested grant is usually for major adaptations costing over £1000, such as the installation of a wet room or modifying a kitchen.
If your home is part of a housing association, it is worth speaking directly with them too as some housing associations have funds available to help with larger modifications, and you would not need to apply for a DFG from your council.
If you are not eligible for extra support from your local authority or a grant, then investigating other options, like applying to specific charities or looking into self-funding, might be the next step. Our article on Financial support for home adaptations goes into more details.
Using the adaptive equipment to support the person you care for
It is important to remember that when using any specialist equipment, you should receive training on how to use it properly so that you and the person you care for stay safe. Training can be provided by your OT team who made the assessment and advised on the equipment, an approved private company, or the supplier of the equipment itself. Our guide to supporting someone with moving, lifting and handling will be useful here.
Maintaining dignity when introducing home adaptations and equipment
Once the home adaptations have been made and the equipment is in place, your home may feel different for you, and for the person you care for. For some people it can take time to get used to this new space or piece of equipment. Adding personal touches to places which have been adapted can help, and you might choose to find ways to store it discreetly if you or the person using it does not want it on show, like a commode for example.
This is an ongoing process, with reviews with OT and medical teams to ensure equipment remains suitable to the need of you both. Keeping in touch with your OT and medical team about any changes and developments means that your situation can be reviewed regularly and provision adjusted where necessary.
What if my home is not suitable and adaptations cannot be made?
There may be some situations that make it unsuitable for you to adapt your home. This might be because of the layout of your house or because you rent a home and are unable to make the significant changes you need. In these situations, you may find you have to move home to somewhere more suitable for your needs.
If you find yourself in this situation, your local authority may be able to help you find a more suitable and accessible home for you both. If you are seeking housing advice, Turn2Us is a service where you input your location, the topic you are interested in, like ‘housing’, and it will signpost you to helpful organisations in your area.
Whilst making changes to your home or adding specialist equipment can feel overwhelming at first, having the right support in place means you can continue to support the person you care for in a safe and sustainable way long term.