Adaptations for your home

Who can get help with Housing Adaptations and Equipment?

As you get older or if you have a disability, you may find it more difficult to live in your own home and might benefit from support provided by equipment to help with your daily activities. You may be experiencing difficulties with daily activities such as having a bath, getting in and out of bed, using the stairs or the toilet.

You can find advice and information on products and equipment for older and disabled people and help on the Equipu AskSara Website.

It may not always be possible to adapt your property to meet your needs, and you may need to consider moving to a more suitable home, that enables you to access both outdoors and indoor accommodation. 

If you would like more information on solutions to suitable housing, we've produced a leaflet looking at useful services that can assist you in exploring your housing options: Do you want to move or stay leaflet (PDF, 3 MB) . You can also gain further detail on housing options available to you on the Specialist Housing page. 

Should you be unable to meet your needs with the above resources, you may wish to consider an assessment from Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership who can support you to identify the possible solutions. Contact Health and Social Care Connect for more information on how to get an assessment.

How can I ask for a service?

Services are accessed through Glasgow Health and Social Care Connect who will discuss your options.

You can contact Health and Social Care Connect:
•    using our Health and Social Care Connect online service
•    by phoning 0141 287 0555

When you phone Health and Social Care Connect you will be asked to describe your situation, what you would like to be able to do, what is important to you and how you are managing at the moment. It is important you give us as much information as you can. We will use this information to decide how best to support for you. Health and Social Care Connect also have a wealth of knowledge and connection to local community resources. 

In an emergency situation outside of these times please contact the Glasgow and Partners Emergency Social Work Service (previously called Social Work Standby Service) on 0300 343 1505.

If your home is provided by a housing association or housing co-operative, for example Wheatley Homes, you can contact them directly to make a request for minor adaptations to your home, such as grab rails, handrails or bannisters. 

How quickly will someone get in touch with me after I have asked for a service?

As there is a high demand for the service, we have to deal with people in the order of how their eligible needs affect their independence.

A person's independence is affected if their social care or health needs stop them from achieving the goals that are important in their life. Some of these needs could be:

• being healthy, safe and well
• being able to make choices and being in control
• having personal dignity and respect 
• being able to make a positive contribution to family life and life in the community.

Eligible social care needs are those needs that are not already being met through the supports you currently have in place such as family, friends and carers. 

Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership looks at people's eligible needs and then splits them into four groups:

• critical risk
• substantial risk
• moderate risk 
• low risk.

If you have a critical or substantial risk, this means that that there is risk to your independence or health and well-being, and it is likely that you will receive a fuller assessment as soon as possible. 

If you are assessed as having a moderate risk this means that, while there are some risks to your independence or health and well-being, there may be a need for some support and services and you will not receive these as quickly as if you had a critical or substantial risk.

If you are assessed as having a low risk this means that there may be some things that are affecting your quality of life but there are not many risks to your independence or health and well-being. If you are assessed as low risk, you may receive a little support and services or none.

If you are assessed as not being eligible for a service from us, we will provide information, advice, and guidance and tell you about other places or community resources where you may be able to get support.

If you are not eligible for support at this time it does not mean that you can't get help in future. If you feel your needs have become greater, then you should contact Glasgow Health and Social Care Connect on 0141 287 0555.

We will give priority to you if you are assessed as being within the critical or substantial risk category, for more information on these categories see our Eligibility Criteria (PDF, 50 KB).

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapists work with people of all ages, helping them to carry out activities they need or want to do to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. The aim of occupational therapy is to support you to improve your ability in everyday tasks, allowing you to live as independently as possible. An occupational therapy assessment will be carried out within your home. Occupational therapists may talk to you about mobility, personal care, household tasks, recreational or social activities, employment, education, or training, depending on what aspects of life are important to you.

What is an Occupational Therapy assessment?

Every assessment is different depending on who is being assessed but some of the things we will want to talk about are:

• How do you get about? Do you use a wheelchair, walking stick, frame or crutches?
• Does anyone help you with moving around?
• How much strength do you have and how firm is your grip?
• Can you use both sides of your body?
• Can you stand for long periods?
• Do you have problems seeing, hearing or talking to people?

The results of this assessment will help us identify your needs and look at how any medical conditions, social or housing situations may affect you. You will be involved as much as possible in this process and your own personal goals will be considered throughout.  

In many cases, for some people it will only take a few days to complete the assessment and provide recommendation or support, but for others this may take some time.

Getting Ready for Your Assessment 

You should think about your situation, what you would like to be able to do, what is important to you and how you are managing at the moment. It is important you give us as much information as you can. It may help you to write these down before your assessment. It may be that your ability changes from day to day, or at differing times of the day. Make sure that you tell us about these times.

You may like to have someone with you during your assessment. This can be a friend, a neighbour or a family member. If someone provides care for you at home, even if they do not live with you, it is important for the person doing the assessment to know about the help that this person gives you. The assessment will also consider the needs of your carer(s) so they can continue to support you. 

After an assessment

Your occupational therapist or support worker will work with you to recommend any support that will help you. This may include changing the way you do things, or new techniques, or possibly providing equipment or adaptations that might help improve your ability to carry out tasks. If we recommend equipment, we will either give you advise on how to purchase this or provide from our Equipu service. 

Equipu is the service that can provide, deliver and install a range of disability equipment supplied by the Health and Social Care Partnership to people living at home. The equipment is the property of Equipu and will be loaned to you for however long you may need it. 

If you receive equipment from Equipu that needs to be serviced and maintained, then Equipu will carry out these services free of charge. When you no longer need the equipment loaned to you, we will ask you to return this.

If the occupational therapist recommends equipment, this might range from small items such as grabrails or toilet seats, through to more specialist items such as bath lifts, that can support you in managing your daily tasks. 

What equipment is not provided?

Items that are not provided, are those that are widely available to purchase (for example cutlery, dressing equipment, long handled sponge etc), or are furniture items that you would ordinarily provide for yourself (for example High backrest chairs). 

Buying Equipment for yourself

You may be interested in some equipment that is not available from us because your assessment has told us that the equipment is not necessary for your current needs or that the equipment you would like is not provided by us. There are a number of specialist manufacturers and stockists who may have the equipment you are interested in. Some of these will have websites or catalogues which will let you order equipment from home.

It is important that you get as much information as possible before you buy anything, especially if the equipment is expensive or may be difficult to use. If you do not know anyone who can give you advice about a purchase and you are unsure of what to do, there are a number of organisations that will provide good independent advice. The Disability Living Foundation (DLF) is one such organisation.

Some of the shops and websites that sell or make specialised equipment are members of the British Health Trade Association (BTHA).

The Equipu AskSara Website can also provide advice on what products may help you in your day to day life.

Housing Adaptations

If the occupational therapist recommend adaptations to your home, they will either give you advice on how to purchase adaptations or will discuss how we can support provision through the Health and Social Partnership.

There are two types of housing adaptations: minor housing adaptations for example: grab rails and major housing adaptations for example; shower facilities or ramps. Not all adaptations are suitable for all people.  

Minor housing adaptations are simple items such as rails or bannisters that might support you with tasks such as managing your front door steps safely, or getting on and off your toilet. Minor housing adaptations can be made to your home without too much difficulty and won't change the structure of your home.

Major housing adaptations are more complex and may involve permanently changing the structure of your home. The size and layout of your home will affect what housing adaptations are possible and whether these will meet your long-term needs. Your occupational therapist will be able to advise if your home is suitable for your long-term needs. Should your house not be suitable long term, even with adaptations, and there is a risk of losing your independence, the occupational therapist will discuss your housing options for rehousing to more suitable accommodation. For more information on solutions to suitable housing, we've produced a leaflet looking at useful services that can assist you in exploring your housing options: Do You Want to Move or Stay leaflet (PDF, 3 MB).   Major housing adaptations include things like:

• widening door frames to make it easier to move from room to room if you are a wheelchair user
• putting in a stairlift to make it easier for you to move up and downstairs if your house is on more than one level

What if I rent my home?

If you rent your home from a housing association, details of the work needed will be passed to your local housing office for the housing association to progress any recommended works.  It is the responsibility of the housing association to fund and provide recommended adaptations. The housing association may wish to discuss your long-term housing options prior to progressing any adaptations. 

What if I own my home?

If you own your own home, or have started the process of buying it, or you rent from a private landlord you may be entitled to grant assistance to assist in funding recommended adaptations. Grant assistance will be available only where an application is supported by an occupational therapist (OT) following assessment, and will only be considered for the specified work recommended by the OT.

Small Repairs and Handyperson Services

Glasgow Care and Repair Service offers a small repair and handyperson service to owner occupiers and private tenants aged 65 and over. It is also available to those who have a disability and live within the Glasgow City boundary.

The service is managed by Southside Housing Association and the work is carried out by a combination of full-time employees and volunteers.

There is no charge for the work done but clients must pay for any materials required.

The work includes fitting door and window locks, security chains, peep holes, curtain rails or poles, shelves, tap washers, the changing of light bulbs, etc. The service is unable to do any work outside your home such as gardening, painting and decorating. To make a referral you can complete the online form or contact:

Small Repairs and Handyperson Service 
Glasgow Care and Repair Service Ltd 
Southside House, 
135 Fifty Pitches Road, 
Glasgow, 
G51 4EB

Phone: 0141 433 2749
Email: CareandRepair@southside-ha.co.uk

The Wheatley Homes Handyperson Service

The Wheatley Homes Handyperson Service is open to all Wheatley Homes tenants aged 60 and over.  It is also available to those who have a disability. It offers help with odd jobs and small tasks around the house. As this is a free service you will not be charged for the handyperson's time or travel expenses, but you will need to buy any of the materials needed to complete the job.

You can contact the Wheatley Homes Handyperson Service on 0800 111 4404. This is a freephone number but if you are using a mobile phone, check with your mobile phone provider before you call to see how much you will get charged.

If you rent your home from another housing provider, you should check with them to see if they have their own handyperson service.

Telecare / Alarms  - What is Telecare?

Telecare is an alarm system with a response service available 24 hours a day, every day. There are different Telecare devices available which help you stay safe in your home.

You will be given an alarm unit which usually consists of a box with a microphone and speaker which lets you contact the response centre from your own home. You can also choose to have an alarm pendant, which you can wear round your neck or wrist to allow contact with the support service if you are not able to get to your alarm unit.

Normally you will need to have an electrical socket, a phone line, and a modern telephone socket connection before the Telecare equipment can be installed in your home. In some sheltered housing complexes, the alarm equipment may be fixed and does not require to be connected to a domestic telephone system.

You can apply directly to Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership for the Telecare service by completing an online telecare form or alternatively paper copy of the standard telecare form (Word doc, 213 KB). The service is subject to a small charge weekly.

Please visit the Telecare page for further information on the service.

Useful Contacts 

The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA). BHTA is the trade association for the healthcare industry and their code of practice sets out standards that its members must meet. Shops and suppliers will display their BHTA membership if they have one. Contact them by phone on 020 7702 2141, email bhta@bhta.com or visit the British Healthcare Trades Association website.

The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) provides comprehensive information about equipment and where to get it. Their website includes clearly written guides about a range of daily living equipment. They produce a range of factsheets and guides. Contact them by phone on 0300 999 0004 or visit the Disabled Living Foundation website.

AskSARA is an online tool that provides you with a personalised report to tell you about things that you might find useful in your daily life. By answering a few questions about your needs, AskSARA can suggest equipment or ideas that could help you.  AskSARA can also show you where you can buy products to help you. It is linked to the Disabled Living Foundation's website which has over 10,000 products, 950 national suppliers and 800 local retailers. This Equipu version of the AskSARA online tool has been made to make sure that you think about all your circumstances and to direct you to a professional assessment from the Health and Social Care Partnership if your needs are more complex.

Equipu is a service responsible for delivering and installing a range of disability equipment recommended by health and social work services to disabled people living at home. For more information you can phone 0141 287 6300

Ricability is an independent consumer research charity providing free, practical and unbiased reports for older and disabled people. Contact them by phone on 0330 223 53 55 or visit the Ricability website.