Equipment

Equipment and adaptions

Different types of equipment can help you to care for the person you are looking after. A social worker or an occupational therapist can advise on what sort of equipment is suitable for your situation. This can happen in 3 ways :

• as part of a community care assessment process for the person you are looking after
• an assessment under the Children Act if the person you are looking after a disabled child.
• a carer’s assessment

Find out more about how to get assessments. more...

Community Equipment

Equipment (sometimes called Community equipment) might include items such as:

• two-handled cups, tap turners and kettle tippers for the kitchen
• equipment to help with managing zips or buttons
• telephones with large buttons or flashing lights
• telecare equipment

Minor adaptations

Minor adaptations could include:

• grab rails to make it safer to get in and out of a bath
• bed raisers and hoists in the bedroom
• raised toilet seats and bath seats

Paying for equipment and adaptions

Community equipment will be provided free of charge. Minor adaptations costing £1,000 or less (including fitting the adaptation) are also provided free of charge. Councils can make a charge for minor adaptations that cost more than £1,000. Larger, more expensive items may be classed as "major adaptations" and will become the responsibility of the housing department and you will need to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grants. Information about this can be found here.

Disputes about equipment and adaptions

Disputes about community equipment

Local authorities sometimes make a distinction between community equipment and ordinary equipment which could be used by anyone.   For example, an electric tin opener could assist the person you are looking after but local authorities may regard it as ordinary equipment which they will not fund.   You and the person you are looking after could argue that it would be reasonable and sensible to provide equipment which meets assessed needs. Local authorities may have fixed criteria about the type of equipment they will consider supplying or the level of costs they will meet.   If so, you could argue that they should not have blanket policies about the equipment they will provide; they should make decisions depending on individual circumstances. If the person you are looking after disagrees with a decision about community equipment, they could consider using the complaints procedure.

Disputes about minor adaptations

The person you are looking after may be refused help with a minor adaptation.  In some cases they may be asked to pay some associated costs, such as maintenance charges. If they disagree with the decision about a minor adaptation they could use the complaints procedure.

Buying your own equipment

If you can afford it you may chose to buy your own equipment rather than use the equipment provided by the local authority. It's still a good idea to have an assessment by a social worker or an occupational therapist first so that they can provide guidance on equipment which is suitable for your needs and advice on what is available. If you are buying your own there are some reliable sources of advice.

Ricability is an independent consumer research charity which produces independent information of value to disabled and older consumers. All reports are based on independent research.  www.ricability.org.uk

Disabled Living Foundation is a national charity that provides free, impartial advice about all types of daily living equipment and mobility products for disabled adults and children, older people, their carers and families. www.dlf.org.uk

Loans of equipment

If you are looking after someone on a temporary basis you might want to loan equipment. Your local Red Cross can often loan wheelchairs and some other equipment for short periods. www.redcross.org.uk