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.

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

Safe and Well is a service provided by NRS Healthcare to find out about getting equipment. The service includes:

• Free online self-assessment
• Free local demonstration
• Free telephone advice
• Links to Centra services (technology and Telecare)
• Occupational therapist visits (fee charged)
• Directory of trusted local suppliers

Home health and care equipment supplier NRS Healthcare experienced a cyber incident in early April 2024.

The company says it remains unclear if any personal data has been taken and continues to investigate. It is keeping clients, including many councils such as Kent County Council, informed and, as a precaution, is advising people using its products to:

• Stay safe online
• Be extra cautious when receiving phone calls from unknown numbers and unexpected visits from people you don’t know  
   

To find out more about staying safe online go to GOV.UK’s Stop! Think Fraud page.

Complete Care Shop

Complete Care Shop offers a wide range of over 5,000 products designed to make daily life easier for everyone. As a trusted NHS supplier, they provide high-quality products from NRS Healthcare along with help and advice.

Buy Disability Aids and Mobility Equipment from NRS Healthcare

Safe and well by NRS Healthcare

Safe and Well is a service provided by NRS Healthcare to find out about getting equipment. The service includes:

• Free online self-assessment
• Free local demonstration
• Free telephone advice
• Links to Centra services (technology and Telecare)
• Occupational therapist visits (fee charged)
• Directory of trusted local suppliers

Visit the Safe and Well website 

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.

• Find out about these and how to apply on the Gov.uk website - this will also link you to your local council who administer the grants.

Small home adaptations from Kent County Council

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

• adapted steps
• grab rails
• stair rails.

You can request a care needs assessment (also known as a community care assessment) from KCC who will tell you what can be done to help you adapt your home. There may be a charge for some equipment and adaptations.