Adaptations, equipment and occupational therapy
Are you struggling to manage everyday activities due to a long term health condition or have a disability or just finding things difficult as you get older?
There are many products available which could help you, your family or carers.
For example do you find any of the following difficult?:
- getting in and out of the bath
- managing the steps into your home or managing the stairs inside your home
- have difficulty in turning taps
- find it awkward to stand up or sit down to use the toilet
- unable to hear the doorbell, telephone or television
- struggling with everyday activities because your sight is not as good as it was
The right equipment can help with these activities so that you can continue to carry them out safely and independently or they can help your family or carers safely assist with these activities. It might mean the difference between being able to stay in your own home or return home quickly after being in hospital. Much of the equipment is now easily obtainable from mainstream shops/suppliers. There is also a range of further information available on our information pages that may give you the advice you are looking for.
You can also complete your own self-assessment to get personalised advice now by using our free AskSara online tool, delivered in partnership with equipu and the Disabled Living Foundation.
If you are looking to apply for a mobility or walking aid or a wheelchair assessment, further information is available on our information pages.
If you are looking to make an application for a disabled person's parking bay, further information is available on our disabled persons parking bay page.
You may just be looking for information on Community Alarms and Telecare equipment. The Shopmobility service for disabled people also offers the free hire of motorised scooters and wheelchairs for anyone with a mobility problem.
Fire and Smoke Alarms
The law on fire alarms is changing, meaning all Scottish homes will need to have interlinked alarms by February 2022. Interlinked means if one goes off, they all go off, and it is the property owner’s responsibility for meeting the new standard.
Guidance and further information can be found on the Scottish Fire and Rescue website and the Scottish Government website.
For film clips, with BSL (British Sign Language) and subtitles (captions), please see links below:
Scottish Government new Fire Alarms Standards advert, includes voice-over
Scottish Government Fire Alarms leaflet
If you still wish to request an assessment and the assessment indicates a need for some of the following, our Occupational Therapy Service can assist you to get equipment such as:
- Grab rails/handrails
- Bath seat/shower seat
- Toilet rail
- Perching stool
- Specialist equipment to support people who are deaf or hard of hearing
- Specialist equipment to support people who are blind or partially sighted
The Occupational Therapy Service can assist you to become more independent in the areas that are important to you. This can be by teaching you alternative ways of managing activities or by helping you access other services that can support you to achieve your goals.
To apply for an assessment for yourself or on behalf of someone else please complete our self-referral form.
If you want more information on any of the above and whether there are costs associated with any equipment please contact your local social work office.
If you wish to find out where your local social work office is situated please use our postcode lookup.
- Adaptations, equipment and occupational therapy
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