Where to get help

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 2 quotes
• Where appropriate, check warranties, servicing and maintenance and other general after-sales back up
• Try out equipment wherever possible

AskSARA Kent provides impartial advice about equipment to help make daily living easier. This website asks simple questions to identify which equipment may be able to help you and will then provide you with some suggestions and link you to where you can purchase it.

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

There is a great variety of equipment to enable individuals to be mobile. Some mobility centres are able to provide assessments to advise which type of wheelchair or scooter will best suit your needs. The centres can also advise how your equipment can be lifted into a vehicle.