Technology and adaptations in your home

Occupational Therapists

An Occupational Therapist is a health and social care professional whose role is to help individuals with poor health, disability and impairment to continue to carry out the activities of daily living.

You might see an Occupational Therapist in your own home or in the hospital. 

Occupational Therapy in your own home

Occupational Therapists complete an assessment in your home environment and provide expert advice on equipment and adaptations which may help you retain your independence and help you stay at home.

They can support you to learn or relearn the skills necessary for daily living. This may involve setting goals and working towards these to increase your confidence, safety and independence. In some cases, Occupational Therapy staff may give you advice on alternative ways of doing things.

Mobility Assessment

If you require a mobility assessment you should speak with your GP for a referral as follows:

• If you need a walking aid you will need to be referred to the Community Rehabilitation Team at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

• If you are experiencing falls at home you will need a referral to the Falls Prevention Service at at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

• If you require assessment for a wheelchair you will need a referral to wheelchair services

Supporting you in remaining independent

You can find aids and equipment to support you in remaining independent, including:

• Daily living aids that make everyday tasks, personal care and household chores easier to manage
• Tools and implements to make things easier to reach and hold
• Equipment to help you maintain your hobbies
• Gadgets to help with controlling your TV, using the telephone, listening to the radio, using your computer, hearing the doorbell and much more
• Items that help with mobility, shopping and driving
• Products for your home and garden

Moving around

If you have problems moving around your home, managing personal care or completing food preparation, there is a range of specially designed equipment and adaptations to make your life at home easier and safer, including:

• An additional stair rail to help you get up and down the stairs safely

• A grab rail to hold onto when getting in and out of your home

• Chair raisers for getting up and down your chair safely and independently

• A simple bedroom grab rail may be all you need to help sit up in bed

• Ramped access to property

Personal care

Aids include:

• A perching stool to avoid standing for long periods of time at the wash hand basin

• Bathing equipment to aid getting in and out of the bath

• If you have difficulties managing the taps, alternative lever taps may be helpful

• Toilet equipment such as raised toilet seats, rails and frames may assist with getting on and off the toilet.

Food preparation

Aids include:

• If you find standing to prepare food tiring, provision of a perching stool helps.

• A kitchen trolley can be useful in transporting food and drinks to the table

If you choose to order equipment yourself, you will be responsible for the costs of what you have purchased. However, if following our assessment we agree that you need equipment to make your day to day living easier, then we will pay the cost of the loan of that equipment.

Making major adaptations

In some cases, an occupational therapist may discuss major adaptations to enable you continue living in your home, or to maintain your independence.

The council’s housing Care and Repair team can assist vulnerable and disabled adults to repair, maintain and adapt homes. Adapting a home can be very expensive. A Disabled Facilities Grant can, depending on certain conditions, help to meet all or some of the cost. All grants are means-tested and you will also have to have been assessed by the Occupational Therapy service as requiring the adaptations.

Some examples of major adaptations include:

• Larger ramps

• Widening of doorways for wheelchair accessibility

• Installation of a stairlift

• Creating level access shower facilities

• Lowering of work surfaces in kitchens

Getting help

If you are not managing at home you can contact Peterborough City Council’s Adult Early Help Team on 01733 747474.

You will be able to speak with someone trained to give you specialist advice about the difficulties you are experiencing.

Your referral would be prioritised and you may be put on occupational therapy waiting list for a home visit assessment.

Manage at Home

Manage at Home offers occupational therapy home visits and equipment demonstrations on selected products such as riser recliner chairs.

To speak to someone about these services, call 0800 910 1864 or email info@manageathome.co.uk

Provided by Medequip, Manage at Home - Mobility Aids - Manage At Home offers information and advice, along with a range of equipment and devices that you can purchase to help with everyday tasks.  

 The Manage at Home Self Help Guide is an award-winning online self assessment system provided by the Disabled Living Foundation (A Shaw Trust charity). Our Self Help Guide will help you find products which can provide you with solutions to problems you select relating to different areas of the home or more general issues. You don’t need to log in, give any personal details or register to complete the questionnaire. You can see the products recommended, how they work, and see videos of them in action. Visit Self Help Guide - Manage At Home.

 Manage at Home also offers occupational therapy home visits and equipment demonstrations on selected products such as riser recliner chairs. To speak to someone about these services, call 0800 910 1864 or email info@manageathome.co.uk

Do you have equipment you don't need any more?

If you would like to return equipment you can contact Manage at Home equipment return service by calling 01480 275079.