Equipment and adaptations

There are numerous outlets with a huge range of equipment available to help you around the house. The choice and variety can be confusing but here are a few points to consider if buying yourself:

• Equipment such as grab rails, can be purchased at DIY stores. Some walls need adapting to give a secure fixing point for the brackets
• Equipment to help you with daily living can be purchased through major chemists or specialist companies
• For larger items of equipment or adaptations, get at least two quotes
• Where appropriate, check warranties, servicing and maintenance and other general after-sales back up
• Try out equipment wherever possible.
  
  

Small home adaptations from Kent County Council

If you need small adaptations made to your home for example:

• grab rails
• stair rails
• chair raisers

You can request an assessment from KCC via care needs assessment  who will offer advice on adapting your home.


For further information on home adaptations click here.

Living Made Easy provides impartial advice about equipment to help make daily living easier. 

Kent and Medway Wheelchair Service 

The Wheelchair and Repair Service offers complete wheelchair and posture support to eligible residents of Kent and Medway, provided by the NHS.

Visit the Kent and Medway Wheelchair Service website

Technology Enabled Care

Provides listed organisations to identify telecare and/or telehealth services for yourself or your family, friends, or people that you provide care for.

Visit the Telecare Services Association website

Community Navigators 

If you're over 55, community navigators can talk to you about your options for staying safe and independent in your own home.

Visit our community navigators page

Disabled facilities grants and adaptations

If you or a member of your household are disabled and require adaptations to be made to your property because of this, then you may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant or adaptations directly funded by your local council if they are your landlord.

• Find out about these and how to apply on the Gov.uk website - this will also link you to your local council’s webpage who administer the grants. Some councils may also offer alternative schemes including discretionary grants for adaptations and repairs, as well as the Disabled Facilities Grant, which is financially assessed.  Where you are requesting major adaptations to your home, to support your disability needs, the local council will usually require an Occupational Therapy Assessment via Kent County Council (care needs assessment ).

Small home adaptations from Kent County Council

If you need small adaptations made to your home for example:

• grab rails
• stair rails
• chair raisers

you can request an assessment from KCC via care needs assessment  who will offer advice on adapting your home.