Equipment, Adaptations and Occupational Therapy
Most people want to stay in their own home and maintain their independence for as long as possible.
There are practical steps you can take to help you remain in control and a lot of different equipment and daily living aids that you can purchase yourself without needing to have an assessment. There are helpful hints and suggestions on this page.
Registering as a person with a physical disability
You can find a link to register as a person with a physical disability Application for registration as a person with a physical disability form More information is available further down this page.
You can find lots of information on daily living aids on our Technology Enabled Care pages.
Occupational Therapy
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:
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If you need a walking aid you will need to be referred to the community physiotherapy team
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If you are experiencing falls at home you will need a referral to the Falls Prevention Service
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If you require assessment for a wheelchair you will need a referral to wheelchair services
Minor Adaptations and Equipment
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:
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An additional stair rail to help you get up and down the stairs safely
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A grab rail to hold onto when getting in and out of your home
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Chair raisers for getting up and down your chair safely and independently
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A simple bedroom grab rail may be all you need to help sit up in bed
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Ramped access to property
Mobility Assessment
If you require a mobility assessment for a walking aid, are experiencing falls at home or require assessment for a wheelchair you should speak with your GP for a referral to the community physiotherapy team, falls team or wheelchair services.
Personal care
Aids include:
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A perching stool to avoid standing for long periods of time at the wash hand basin
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Bathing equipment to aid getting in and out of the bath
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If you have difficulties managing the taps, alternative lever taps may be helpful
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Toilet equipment such as raised toilet seats, rails and frames may assist with getting on and off the toilet.
Food preparation
Aids include:
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If you find standing to prepare food tiring, provision of a perching stool helps.
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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.
Major Adaptations
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:
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Larger ramps
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Widening of doorways for wheelchair accessibility
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Installation of a stairlift
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Creating level access shower facilities
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Lowering of work surfaces in kitchens
How do I get help?
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.
Registering as a person with a physical disability
Physical disability form
If you think that you should be registered by the council as physically disabled you can complete the Application for registration as a person with a physical disability form which you can find on this page.
You will need to ask your GP to complete part six of the form.
You can then send the form to us and an Occupational Therapist will contact you by letter.
VAT relief for disabled people
What can you get with VAT relief?
If you are disabled or have a long-term illness, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use. Also, you will not be charged VAT on:
- the installation and any extra work needed as part of this
- repairs or maintenance
- spare parts or accessories
You can find out more on the disabled people section of the Gov.uk website