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Equipment & Adaptations: Where Can I Get... ?

Introduction

If you're an older or disabled person, and you want to make sure you can live safely at home, you can get in touch with our Equipment & Adaptations service.
 
We give advice about better ways of doing things. We may be able to give you equipment to make life easier, or simple adaptations such as handrails.
 
Depending on the type of home you live in, and how much money you have, we may be able to provide major adaptations such as stair lifts. We work with people of all ages, including children.
 
The service only has a limited amount of money to spend so we have to make sure that help goes to the people who need it most. We do this by working out who needs help most urgently and having a list of rules that help us decide what help we can give.
 
If we think you need help we'll arrange to visit you to carry out an assessment. We'll always look to meet your needs in the most reasonable and practical way, which may involve you moving house.
 
We've tried to be as accurate as possible with contact details but sometimes phone numbers and addresses change. Organisations are listed for information only. The listing is not a recommendation of their services by our Equipment and Adaptations Service or Community Health Sheffield.
 
We hope that by reading this information you'll find out what you are entitled to. Please ask if you think we may be able to help you.
 

Getting in touch (making a referral)

If you think you need help from us, and you haven't already been in touch, you can phone our Adult Access Team on 0114 273 4908 to make a referral, or call in to see a customer service assistant at First Point. First Points are situated at:
 
  • Howden House (on Union Street in the city centre)
  • Manor Library (Ridgeway Road)
  • Hillsborough (The Mall, off Langsett Road)
  • Crystal Peaks (1-3 Peaks Square)
  • Chapeltown (Chambers Court).
 
You'll be asked about the problems you're facing and how you're coping at the moment.
 
It's important you tell us as much as you can at this point, as we'll use this information to decide whether we're going to be able to help you.
 
We'll probably to able to help you if:
 
  • you can't manage to do essential things and there's no other way of getting them done.
  • you're struggling to manage but you, or a carer, are at serious risk of injury and there's no other way of getting things done.
  • if it seems you might be better of getting help from someone else, we'll tell you who to get in touch with.
 

Working out who needs help most urgently

When equipment and simple minor adaptations (for example, bath boards or grab rails) are needed, these are usually provided within 7 days of the officer deciding they are needed.
 
When you need more complex adaptations (for example, showers, stairlifts, some ramps), we’ll use the information gathered at your assessment to decide how quickly you need help.
 
Where the risks you face can be managed by doing things differently and/or with the help of others we'll aim to provide more complex adaptations within 12 months of you first asking for help.
 
Where the risks you face cannot be managed by doing things differently and/or with the help of others we'll aim to provide more complex adaptations within 6 months of you first asking for help.
 
The officer who assesses you will give advice about timescales. If your circumstances change so that the level of risk you face increases and cannot be managed please let us know and we'll look again at the help you need and how quickly we can help you.
 

The thorough assessment

The thorough assessment (of functional assessment) is the name for what happens when we come to visit you at home.
 
One of our occupational therapists or occupational therapists assistants will talk to you about what you find difficult. We'll have a look at your home and furniture and see what can be done to help. We might ask you to show us how you go about doing things like getting up stairs.
 
Every assessment is individual but some of the things we'll 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 can you move your arms, legs and head? How far can you bend?
  • How much strength do you have and how firm is your grip?
  • Can you use both sides of your body?
  • Do you have problems with breathing?
  • Can you stand for long periods?
  • Can you tell if you're too hot or cold?
  • Do you have problems seeing, hearing or talking to people?
  • Does your memory sometimes let you down?
 
The results of this assessment will help us identify your needs and take your medical condition into consideration.
 

Getting ready for the assessment

Think about all the things you have problems with. You might want to write them down before we visit you. This is your chance to get advice so make the most of it.
 
Sometimes people find things easier on some days than others. Maybe a certain time of day, such as first thing in the morning, is particularly bad. Make sure you tell us about this.
 
We know there are some things that are embarrassing to talk about, such as not always being able to get to the toilet on time, but if you have a problem like that make sure you tell us so you can get the help you need.
 
You may like to have someone like a relative or neighbour with you when we come to do the assessment. If there's someone who provides care for you at home (even if they don't live with you) it's important to find out about the help they are able to give you.
 
We want to see things as they really are. The assessment isn't a test.
 

Finding an answer

Once we have a good idea of your situation and your needs we'll talk about how we may be able to help. It's the assessing officer's duty to identify the best way of meeting your assessed needs following the rules and criteria laid out in this leaflet.
 
We always look at things in five stages.
 

Stage 1 - is there a different way of doing things?

We might show you a safer way of getting in and out of bed, for example, or we might talk to you about whether anyone else could help you. We might give you advice about simple equipment you could buy for yourself.
 

Stage 2 - equipment and small adaptations

Next we'll look at whether there are any simple pieces of equipment or small adaptations that we can provide to help.
 
If so we might be able to sort it out for you quickly. Any equipment and small adaptations we order for you is provided free, but if you no longer need this equipment at a later date please let us know as we may be able to recycle it. You may be able to buy equipment we have recommended using a direct payment.
 

Stage 3 - internal adaptations, ramps and wheelchair lifts

If it's not going to be possible to do things in a different way, or sort things out with equipment of small adaptations, we'll talk to you about major adaptations. We call adaptations "major" if they cost £250 or more, such as stair lifts or level access showers.
 
Sometimes it is not reasonable or practical to do major adaptations. For instance we won't usually provide a level access shower if we wouldn't be able to create wheelchair access to the property if required in the future.
 
If you live in a council house we provide any major adaptations you need free.
 
If you own your own home, or rent from a private landlord or housing association, you may be able to get a means-tested Disabled Facilities Grant to cover all or part of the cost of a major adaptation. Parents of disabled children are not means tested.
 

Stage 4 - rehousing

If it's not reasonable or practical to adapt your home, we'll recommend that you move house.
 

Stage 5 - extensions

We'll only consider an extension when all other options have been investigated. Sometimes extensions aren't technically possible and in those cases the only option is rehousing.
 
There is a financial limit to the amount of grant that can be paid.
 
We don't provide any major adaptations where a property is scheduled for demolition.
 
Where your home is scheduled for modernisation we'll always try to link any essential adaptations to the modernisation programme.
 

What happens next?

If the officer who comes to see you recommends small equipment of minor adaptations they'll arrange delivery and/or installation.
 
If the officer is considering a major adaptation or specialist equipment they'll discuss it with their supervisor before informing you in writing of the decision and what will happen next.
 

What equipment & adaptations can and can't provide

We bear important points in mind when deciding what help we can give:
 
  • We'll provide only the minimum required to make you safe.
  • We don't carry out repairs, such as broken showers or uneven pathways.
  • There are some things you or your landlord are expected to provide, such as the first handrail or banister on your stairs.
  • If there's another way of doing things safely we'll expect you to do it. This might be getting help from someone in your family or a paid worker.
  • We only provide equipment that requires fitting, such as a raised toilet seat.
  • We may be able to advise you about simple equipment you can obtain for yourself.
  • We'll always think carefully about whether to do major adaptations and whether the disruption involved will be worthwhile, for example when someone has an illness that means they may not live very much longer.
  • If you have problems that aren't likely to last for longer than 18 months (e.g. you have a broken leg but are otherwise fit) we'll usually only offer advice.
  • If someone is coming to stay who needs assistance we'll usually only offer advice.
 
Every time we mention major adaptations don't forget that if you're an owner-occupier, or private or housing association tenant, these are covered by the Disabled Facilities Grant. The grant is means tested, except for the parents of disabled children, so you may or may not get one depending on your financial circumstances.
 
We'll always look at potential long-term needs and how these might be met before we recommend rehousing or any major adaptations.
 

Getting in and out of the home

We might provide minor adaptations including external handrails or alterations to steps if you can't get in and out safely without them, even with help.
 
We might provide major adaptations including:
 
  • a ramp or steplift if you're a permanent wheelchair user (i.e. you use a wheelchair to leave the property).
  • a door entry system if you live alone, or spend long periods of the day alone, and would be in danger of hurting yourself if you tried to reach the door.
 
We can't help you:
 
  • if you don't need to go out at least once a week.
  • by providing hardstanding for off-street parking or a dropped kerb, unless it's as part of a bigger piece of work.
  • with anything outside the boundary of your home and garden.
  • with adaptations at a back door if you're able to use the front door, or the other way round. We'll expect you to use just one door in and out.
  • by providing storage for an electric wheelchair or scooter.
  • if you need a door entry system for security reasons only.
  • by providing adaptations on communal entrances of staircases.
 
Sheffield's hills can make ramps complex and very expensive. The hills can make access to shops and other local facilities very limiting. Your assessment will look at all these factors and in such situations rehousing may be the best solution.
 

Moving around the home

We might provide minor adaptations including handrails, grab rails, safety gates or adaptations to widen doors if they are essential to make you safe or avoid risk to your carer.
 
We might provide major adaptations including:
 
  • a stairlift if it's impossible for you to live downstairs.
  • a through-floor lift if it's impossible for you to live downstairs and you aren't able to sit safely on the seat of a stairlift.
  • an additional toilet if you aren't able to use a commode or urinal (e.g. there is no one to empty it) and we're unable to give you safe access to your present toilet.
  • an extension to your home if that's the only way of making room for the adaptation you need and you can't move to a more suitable home.
 
We can't help you:
 
  • with access to any rooms other than the bedroom, toilet, bathroom, living room or kitchen.
  • with access to rooms you don't need to use every day.
  • with stair lifts where the person would be at risk using the stair lift.
  • when the staircase: is steep, is curved and narrow, has limited space to get on/off a lift.
 
In these situations rehousing may be the best solution.
 
Internal adaptations to your property won't be considered if your home can't reasonably and practically be adapted to meet your long term needs. For example, a level access shower or stair lift wouldn't be recommended in a property that has many access steps because it couldn't reasonably and practically adapted to give wheelchair access if this is needed in the future.
 

In the kitchen

We might provide minor adaptations including moving cupboards, altering switches, controls and taps, changing the height of work surfaces or appliances, but only if you are the person with the main responsibility for preparing meals or laundry.
 
We can't help you:
 
  • if it's reasonable for you to get things done in another way, e.g. someone else in the family cooks or you have frozen meals delivered to your home.
  • by providing new domestic appliances.
  • by upgrading kitchen cupboards and equipment.
 

In the living room

We might provide equipment including chair raisers or settee raisers to make it easier for you to sit down and stand up.
 
We might provide minor adaptations including adaptations to heating controls if you can't use the existing controls, you're alone for long periods of the day and you need constant heat for the sake of your health.
 
We might provide major adaptations including additional heating if your heating isn't good enough, you're alone for long periods of the day and you need constant heat for the sake of your health.
 
We can't help you:
 
  • get heating in rooms you don't use every day.
  • purchase specialist chairs of adults.
 

In the bathroom

We might provide equipment including:
 
  • bath boards, bath seats or a bath lifter to help you get in and out of the bath safely, or to sit in the bath safely.
  • a shower chair if you're unable to stand for long enough to have a shower.
  • practical help at home with bathing.
  • a raised toilet seat or toilet frame if you can't use the toilet safely otherwise.
 
We might provide minor adaptations including:
 
  • grab handles by the toilet if you can't use the toilet safely otherwise
  • grab handles by the bath if they are essential to make you safe and you need to get in the bath to wash.
 
We might provide major adaptations including:
 
  • a level access shower if you wouldn't be able to get in the bath safely even with equipment or assistance
  • a hoist that hangs from the ceiling to help you get in and out of the bath or shower.
 
We can't help you:
 
  • by providing a bath to replace a shower unless there are exceptional circumstances
  • if you go to a day centre and get washed there
  • if you have a carer who helps you to wash yourself
  • by providing a new or extra toilet if you could use a commode or urinal instead
  • by repairing a bath or shower
  • by providing a Jacuzzi bath or a body dryer
  • if your bathroom is small or designed in a way that makes it difficult to provide a shower without major building work. If this is the situation, rehousing may be the best solution.
 

In the bedroom

We might provide equipment including:
 
  • bed raisers to raise your bed higher from the ground.
  • equipment to help you get in and out of bed.
  • a guard to make sure you don't fall out of bed.
 
We might provide minor adaptations including:
 
  • grab rails, handrails or poles to help you get in and out of bed safely.
  • moving light switches if you can't reach them safely.
 
We can't help you:
 
  • if there's someone in the family, or a carer, who can safely give you the help you need getting ready for bed or getting in and out of bed.
  • when a bed needs replacing through normal wear and tear.
 

Other services from the council

Services for people with impaired vision/hearing

The Sensory Impairment Team offers specialist assessments and services to people with severe vision and/or hearing loss.
 
Neighbourhoods and Community Care
Floor 1, Howden House
Union Street, Sheffield, S1 2SH
 
Telephone (voice and minicom) - 0114 273 4977
Mobile text messages (sms) - 07881 835 474
 

Travel

Contact our Adult Access Team on 0114 273 4908
 
  • to apply for a blue badge for parking
  • to apply for a mobility pass for bus and rail
  • for radar keys to allow access to disabled toilets.
 

Help from your doctor

Your local doctor's surgery or health centre is the place to ask about getting some other types of equipment, such as:
 
  • things to help you get around, such as a Zimmer frame, crutches or a wheelchair
  • things to help with problems with getting to the toilet on time such as pads or a commode equipment for someone who needs nursing care at home, such as a specialist bed or hoist.
 
Most equipment from Equipment & Adaptations and Health comes from SCELS. You can't get new equipment directly from SCELS. It must be requested or assessed by Equipment & Adaptations, your doctor or district nurse, or the hospital.
 
Sheffield Community Equipment Loan Service
President Park
President Way
Sheffield S4 7UR
 
Telephone - 0114 226 3800
Fax - 0114 226 3801
 
If you have equipment from the store that's no longer needed, or requires repair, please contact the store.
 

Wheelchairs and specialist equipment

The Mobility and Specialised Rehabilitation Centre at the Northern General Hospital provides a range of wheelchairs, specialist seating and artificial limbs. Your doctor will refer you there if appropriate.
 
If you're eligible for an NHS wheelchair you can choose to have one of the standard range or a voucher towards the cost of buying one yourself. This way you can get a different chair from the NHS models, perhaps a more expensive one, as long as you can meet the rest of the cost.
 

Environmental controls

Environmental controls use technology to help people with severe impairments, such as being unable to use their hands, with everyday tasks such as turning lights on and off and answering the door.
 
Environmental controls are funded by the government and are available through the Health Service. If you might find them useful your doctor can refer you to Therapy Services at Community Health Sheffield.

To find out more about Environmental Controls phone - 0114 271 6364
 

Buying equipment for yourself

Buying equipment is like buying clothes or shoes. You need to try things out for comfort and ease of use as well as to make sure they do what you want them to.
 
Always ask to look at and try things. A kettle tipper might look alright but until you try it with your kettle you don't know if it will work.
 
Talk to the people in the shop about whether you need to do any measuring at home before you buy. For example bath boards come in different sizes so you'll need one that matches the size of your bath.
 
If you're thinking about an expensive item, such as a bath lifter, ask to have it demonstrated in your home before you buy. Shop around to get the best price.
 
The companies listed below are some of the retailers you can choose. You may find more by looking in Yellow Pages or on the Internet. There are two specialist shops in Sheffield:
 
Clark & Partners Mobility and Age Care Centre
Freephone - 0800 783 3832
37 Wellington Street, Sheffield S1 4HH - 0114 273 8787
1 Orgreave Way, Sheffield, S13 9LS - 0114 229 3399
Hillsborough Barracks, Langsett Road, Sheffield, S6 2LR - 0114 231 5566
 
61-67 The Wicker, Sheffield, S3 8HT - 0114 272 3729
 
You will also find some equipment at high street stores such as B&Q, Argos, Boots etc. Many local chemist shops stock small items of equipment, such as gadgets for picking things up, or they can order them for you.
 
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind sells specialist equipment for those with visual impairments. Expert advice is available 9am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday.
 
5 Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 4DT - 0114 272 2757
 
The following are just some of the companies who run mail order catalogues so you can shop for equipment and gadgets at home:
 
Independent Living Products (part of British Red Cross) - 0870 739 7391
 
Homecraft Rolyan (Chester Care) - 08702 423 305
 
Promedics - 01254 619 000
 
Keep Able - 08705 202 122
 
 
Don't forget that for large items, such as scooters or stair lifts, buying second hand can be a good option. Make sure that the item is in good condition and is really going to meet your needs.
 
Bear in mind that we can't provide a ramp or housing for a scooter unless you're wheelchair - dependent both inside and outside your home.
 
Look out for adverts in the local paper or in newsletters such as the Princess Royal Trust for Carers Centre.
 
If you're thinking of buying equipment it's a good idea to get in touch with one of the advice and information organisations listed.
 

Short-term equipment loans

Clark & Partners and Wicker Mobility offer some equipment for hire. You can also borrow certain equipment on short-term loan (up to eight weeks) from the following voluntary organisation. The service is free but a donation is appreciated.
 
British Red Cross - 01709 879 451
 
Stair lifts are also available on loan - look in your local yellow pages for companies who offer this service.
 

Getting things fixed about the house

Stay Put is an organisation that can help with getting repairs done to your home if you're 60 and over and own or privately rent your home. If you're on low income they may be able to help you with a grant. Otherwise they can at least advise you, and may organise for the work to be done.
 
Stay Put also runs the Home Safety Check Scheme. This scheme is for older and disabled people, whether they own or rent their home. They can advise about making your home safer to live in and get little jobs done for about half the usual cost.
 
Stay Put also runs the Home Inspection Service that works with home owners to help keep their homes safe, secure and easy to maintain. They can help with advice, surveys, finding builders and possibly with grants. The service is free.
 
Stay Put/Home safety check scheme/Home inspection service - 0114 275 5216
 
Age Concern Sheffield's Handyperson Scheme can do small fixing jobs around the home for people aged 55 and over if there's no one else around to help. They charge for the cost of materials.
 
Handyperson Service - 0114 250 2875 or 0114 250 2877
 

Keeping your home warm

Home Heat Helpline offer free general energy advice and can also provide information on disability-related problems.  - 0800 33 66 99 (minicom - 0800 027 2122)
 
If you're a homeowner of rent from a private landlord and receive income or disability-related benefits your may qualify for help from the Warm Front Team, a government-funded initiative. Grants or up to £2500 are available for the installation of energy efficiency improvements, such as cavity wall and loft insulation and in some cases extra heating (subject to eligibility and an assessment of your property).
 
Warm Front Team - 0800 952 1555
 

Moving to a different home

Sometimes it just isn't practical to remove barriers to your daily living through equipment or adaptations alone. In this case it makes more sense to move to another home that is more accessible.
 
You can apply for rehousing with us whether you are already a council tenant or not. You may be able to move to a council house, flat or bungalow that is more suitable for your needs, as long as you have a medical condition or disability that could be improved in a different home. For more information contact your local Area Housing Office (numbers are on your rent book or in the phone book under Sheffield City Council) or call at one of our First Point offices.
 

Getting more information and advice

Talking it through with someone

If you want to talk through what you should do next, or how to apply for help, you could get in touch with:
 
Your local Advice Centre - to find the nearest one, phone Sheffield Information Service  - 0114 273 4761 or look under Citizens Advice Bureaux in the phone book.
 
44 Castle Square
Sheffield, S1 2GF
Telephone - 0114 250 2859
 
7 Bells Square,
Bells Court,
Sheffield, S1 2FY
Telephone - 0114 278 8942
 

Information on other disability and health issues and organisations

Contact the Sheffield Information Service for information on a wide range of local organisations and groups. You can also look up the information for yourself using the Help Yourself database.
 
Central Library
Surrey Street
Sheffield, S1 1XZ
Telephone - 0114 273 4761
 

Finding out more for yourself

If you want to find out more about the range of disability equipment on the market you can contact one of the independent organisations that provide information on products. The following centres near Sheffield have a range of equipment on display and you can try things out and get unbiased information and advice:
 
South Yorkshire Centre for Inclusive Living (Doncaster) - 01302 769 219
 
William Merritt Centre (Leeds) - 0113 305 5332
 
Ricability carries out research and publishes unbiased reviews of products and services to enable elderly and disabled people to live more independently.
 
30 Angel Street, City Road, London, EC1V 2PT
Telephone - 020 7427 2460
 
The Disabled Living Foundation provides detailed independent information on products. They also produce free fact sheets about choosing products.
 
380 - 384 Harrow Road, London, W9 2HU
Telephone - 0845 130 9177; Textphone - 020 7432 8009
 

If you want to comment or complain

We're interested to hear any comments you have - good or bad - about the Equipment & Adaptations Service.
 
If you don't think we've treated you fairly, or you think we haven't stuck to our own rules, please get in touch. If we can't sort out the problem you have the right to make formal complaint. We can tell you how to do this.
 
You can contact us at:
 
The Equipment & Adaptations Service
Sheffield City Council,
Floor 3, Barkers Pool House,
Burgess Street,
Sheffield, S1 2HF
 
Telephone - 0114 273 4709
between 08.45am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
 

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