Support at Home

There is plenty of equipment that can make moving around your home easier and more accessible. Here you can find information on what equipment there is to aid you around different areas of your home.

Living Room

Do you need help getting in and out of chairs?

Cushions: Cushions that offer pressure relief for a person when sat for an extended period of time. An assessment by a clinician is advisable to determine the most appropriate level of pressure relief required.
Furniture raiser: Items that are fitted underneath existing furniture in order to raise the height of it.
Leg rest: A portable foot rest that can be used to raise a persons legs when sat down. Consider whether they would have the strength to move it out of the way themself in order to get into and out of their chair.
Hoist: A mobile device that can be used to enable a person to be physically lifted and moved from one position to another without the need to stand. Consider the surface that the hoist needs to be pushed on. It is recommended that a mobile hoist requires 2 carers to safely use it.
Sling: A person is lifted in a hoist using a sling. It is essential that a sling is compatible with the hoist that it is intended to be used with, is the correct size and is appropriate for the type of transfer that it will undertaking.
Chair: Includes adjustable and high back chairs.
Carephone: A press button pendant to call for help when needed.
Sensor mat: Detects when you get out of the chair

Do you need help whilst sitting in a chair?

Chair pad: Continence protection for chairs
Over chair table: Ideal for eating, drinking and other activities whilst sitting in a chair
Bookchair: Allows hands free reading and helps to ease neck and back problems

Kitchen

Do you need help gripping or holding things?

Drinking cups: Dinnerware that is adapted is order to make eating easier for a person with reduced ability in their hands.
Drinking straws: May be used where a person is unable to hold a cup or where they have swallowing difficulties.
Cutlery: Dinnerware that is adapted is order to make eating easier for people with reduced ability in their hands.
Plate: Dinnerware that is adapted is order to make eating easier for people with reduced ability in their hands.
Tap turner: Enables people with reduced hand function or weak grip to turn taps on and off.
Tin/ can openers: Includes tin openers and ring pulls.
Bottle / jar opener: For opening or fastening bottles or jars.
Kettle tipper: Safely pour boiling water without handling the full weight of the kettle.
Dustpan and brush: For people who have back pain or other difficulties bending.
Peeler: For peeling fruit and vegetables.

Do you have trouble standing to prepare food?

Perching stool: An angled seat with or without arms which assists a person in the bathroom or kitchen where they are unable to stand for long periods of time to undertake an activity.

Do you have trouble carrying food to other areas of the house?

Trolley: Enables a person to carry items between rooms. This should not be used as a mobility aid.
Tray: Useful in different situations to hold food and drink or for holding small items.

Bedroom

Do you need help getting out of bed?

Bed rails: Attaches to a bed and offers support to a person when trying to climb in and out of bed. Some rails are not suitable for use on slatted beds therefore always check the suitability of rail.
Bed raisers: Fit underneath a bed in order to raise the height of it. Some raisers require the castors of the bed to be removed whereas others the castors will fit into.
Transfer board: A smooth board that enables a person to slide from one surface to another. The surfaces need to be at equal heights.
Hoist: A mobile device that can be used to enable a person to be physically lifted and moved from one position to another without the need to stand. Consider the surface that the hoist needs to be pushed on. It is recommended that a mobile hoist requires 2 carers to safely use it.
Sling: A person is lifted in a hoist using a sling. It is essential that a sling is compatible with the hoist that it is intended to be used with, is the correct size and is appropriate for the type of transfer that it will undertaking.
Mattress elevator: Helps you to sit up or lie down in bed
Motion detector: Detects when you get out of bed and monitors wandering

Do you need help in bed?

Pillow/ cushion: Comfortable and hygienic pillows and cushions
Bed/mattress protector cover: Covers and protectors for your bed
Bed pads: Continence protection for the bed
Rope ladder - positioning aid: Attaches under the legs or castors at the end of a bed and allows you to pull yourself upright into a sitting position without assistance
Back rest: To help you sit comfortably in bed
Tables: Tray and overbed tables ideal for eating, drinking and other activities in bed
Clock: Includes dementia care day/night clocks and bed shaker alarm clocks
Lamp: Helpful for anyone with limited vision helping to relieve eyestrain and headaches
Bumper: To be used with bed rails to help prevent entrapment and reduce risk of injury from the rails

Do you need help getting dressed?

Sock helper: Helps people with limited strength or difficulty bending to pull on socks, stockings or tights more easily

Bathroom

Do you need help getting in and out of the bath?

Bath boards: Can be used to help you get in and out of the bath. Can be used with a bath seat.
Bath lifts: Fits inside the bath and can lift you from the bottom of the bath to the top of the bath rim. Please note you will need to lift your legs over the bath rim.
Bath step: A step to help you to get in or out of the bath. Some steps can be adjusted to the height you need.
Grab rail for bathroom: A rail fixed to or near the bath to help you to get in and out of the bath safely.
Bath mats: A mat which attaches to the bottom of your bath to stop you from slipping when you get in and out.

Do you need help in the bath?

Bath seats: Used with a bath board so a person can get lower down in the bath. They will not be fully in the bath so if they need to clean their lower body for medical reasons this is not suitable. Some bath seats can not be used in plastic baths so the strength of the bath needs to be considered.
Bath chairs:Provides support and positioning if you are physically disabled and cannot sit upright unassisted during bathing.
Bath cushion/ pillow: Can be attached to the bath so that you can sit or lie back more comfortably.
Tap turner: Enables people with reduced hand function or weak grip to turn taps on and off.
Plugs: Bath and sink safety plugs that reduce the risk of scalding and flooding using a pressure activated system.
Thermometer: Water temperature alarm - improves bathroom safety and prevents scalding in the bath.
Sponge: A sponge with a handle for easy grip to help you reach and wash your back and lower limbs if you find it difficult to bend.

Do you need help in the shower?

Shower boards: Fit in the bath so a person can use their over bath shower. They may be used in combination with other types of equipment. Need to make sure that there is no lip on the bath or curvature of the bath which would prevent the installation and use of a shower board.
Shower seats: Useful if a person is finding it difficult to safely stand whilst in the shower. These can also be used so they can sit at a bathroom sink.
Bath mats: A mat which attaches to the bottom of your bath to stop you from slipping when you get in and out.
Sponge: A sponge with a handle for easy grip to help you reach and wash your back and lower limbs if you find it difficult to bend.

Do you need help going to the toilet?

Commodes: Useful for if a person finds it difficult to be able to reach the main toilet.
Continence management: Helps to reduce the effects of incontinence, reduce the risk of incontinence and improve a person's comfort.
Raised toilet seat: Useful if a person is unable to safely get on/off their toilet as the toilet is too low.
Toilet frames: Useful if a person needs to push up to standing from a toilet using both arms. The width of the frame needs to be able fit around the toilet and the person needs to be able fit within it. It can be floor fixed for more stability.
Urinals: Useful when a person cannot reach the main toilet.
Fracture pans: Useful when a person cannot reach the main toilet.

Around the house

Do you need help getting up and down stairs?

Stairlift: Consists of a seat which is mounted to a track and allows people to be moved up and down the stairs while remaining in a seated position. There are many considerations with this type of equipment and advice should be obtained from a professional.

Do you need help getting around the house?

Grab rails: A permanent fixture to the structure of a property to offer support to a person if trying to adjust position or steady themself. Most are attached to a wall and require a person to have sufficient arm strength and hand function to be able to hold it. It may require fixing in place therefore it is important to consider the strength of the wall and whether it is an internal or external wall.
Ramp: A portable sloping surface that may be used as an alternative to having to climb a couple of steps. Please be aware that the recommended gradient for a ramp is 1:12 therefore it is necessary to check that the ramp will not be too steep. Other considerations are the weight of the ramp and whether the person transporting it has sufficient strength and flexibility to be abler to move and install it correctly.
Step: May be used to reduce the effective height of existing steps. Consider the dimensions of the step relating to where it will be used.
Walking: Items of equipment that offer a person support when walking. These need to be measured up specifically for a person to use.
Lighting: Home lighting includes a selection of lamps, magnifiers and night lights that help you to see more clearly, whether you are reading at your desk or moving from your bed at night.