Aids and Adaptations can be arranged for you if you need your home altered to help you or members of your family to live more independently. Mobility problems can often be overcome by carrying out alterations and other changes can be made to improve accessibility, remove hazards or increase safety in your home.

Typical examples may be a simple grab rail by your front door to help you up the step, or one by the bath to steady you as you get in and out. It could be a ramp for a wheelchair user or even a more substantial adaptation such as a level-access shower.

You are entitled to the service if you are a resident or someone in your household has a mobility or disability issue. All requests are subject to budgetary provisions.

Aids and Adaptations fall into three categories:

Lifeline Services

If you feel vulnerable in your own home, you can have an alarm response service installed to make you more secure. All you need is a working BT or similar telephone line socket within 2 metres of mains electricity plug socket. You will also be required to provide a minimum of two named keyholders who can be contacted when an alarm is raised. If you need help, alarm calls can be easily raised from anywhere in the home or garden (up to 50 metres coverage) by simply pressing the radio trigger or the large illuminated red button on the home unit.

Additionally a Bogus Caller Button can be fitted near the front door.

There will be a charge for this service, however in some circumstances this could be funded through Social Services. Please contact Customer Services for further information.

Minor Works

Examples of these include grab rails, lever taps and for residents with sight or hearing impediment.

Major Works

These include level access showers, and other major adaptations.

In the first instance residents should contact an Occupational Therapist. An Occupational Therapist is a trained health specialist who can:

• Assess your needs and suggest what type of adaptation would be the most suitable for you.
• Give you good advice about easier and safer ways of carrying out various tasks.
• Recommend minor or major adaptations for your home and help you to apply for them.

If you do not have an Occupational Therapist, your Doctor, Local Hospital or Social Services should be able to refer you to one. A recommendation from an Occupational Therapist is required in all instances except for minor works costing less than £1,000.00. Further information can be obtained from the below services.

Adult and Children Services Suffolk

Customer First

PO Box 771

Needham Market

Ipswich

IP6 8WB.

Call Centre 0808 800 4005

 

Children and Adult Care Services

Norfolk Care Connect

PO Box 3210

Norwich

NRF 7AB

Call Centre 0344 8008 014

 

When the association’s budget has been fully allocated, Orwell will assist you in making an application to see if you are eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) from your Local Authority.

Sometimes certain local authorities may financially assist by offering to pay towards an adaptation. A grant may be paid when the council considers that changes are necessary to meet your needs, and that the work is reasonable and practical.

In some cases, due to the layout, age or structure of your home it may not be possible to adapt your property. In this case, we can discuss other options with you such as re-housing you into a property that is more suitable for your needs or that can be more readily adapted. The association does own some self-contained properties that have been specifically built or adapted for people who are wheelchair users. Please ask your housing officer for details.