Adapting your home

[wobblybee]

Make your home the right fit

There are different ways to adapt your home so it’s safe and comfortable. Keep reading to find out where to get started.

Adapting your home can make everyday tasks easier and, therefore, more enjoyable. There are various changes, some are small, but others are bigger, for example, widening doorways, fitting a stairlift, lowering kitchen worktops, adding an outdoor ramp, or adding a rail or a wet room to your bathroom.

You will need to book a home assessment and this service is free. You can call your local council or book an appointment online. This will be carried out by an occupational therapist (OT) who will assess your needs and advise what is best for you. Together you can work out what you need.

It’s a good idea to think about the challenges you face each day, despite how small they are, and make a note of them. When the OT carries out the assessment you can tell them everything without needing to think on the spot. You can ask a relative or friend to be with you at the assessment if that makes you feel more comfortable.

Alternatively, you can find an advocate who will speak on behalf of you and help you fill in forms. Visit this page to find out more information on advocates: bit.ly/3fSmTB5

Your local council may pay for some adaptations, so

you should check with them what is eligible. For bigger adaptations that are more costly, you may be able to get a grant.

There are many free resources online that offer information about adapting your home. Visit: independentage. org/information/housing- options/home-adaptations

For grants, visit Disabled Facilities Grant: dlf.org.uk/content/full- list-factsheets

and Independence at Home: independenceathome. org.uk

Find your local council:

gov.uk/apply-home- equipment-for-disabled

Copied from ataxia.org.uk

[Adam1420]

Hi Wobblybee,

Great post and thank you very much.

My wife has FA, were a (relatively 😁) young couple with a child.

Hopefully you don't mind me adding to your post.

Over the past few years, we have started to introduce technology into our home to help my wife be as independent as possible.

We have purchased the following

- A smart speaker, smart plugs and smart lights. This allows my wife to turn on the television (with needing to look for the remote), turn lights in/off around the house, turn off other appliances and listen to music/radio. All are control by talking to the smart speaker.

-Electric tin opener. Very simple but made a world of difference and removed the stress and upset with opening tins.

-Robot vacuum cleaner (our also mops). Many robots on the market, some are better than others. This has been excellent for my wife, allows her to feel she's contributing to the home. The vacuum cleaner is very good and cleans the entire bungalow, we use it for a daily clean, but I would say not as good as your plug in Dyson (understandably).

If anyone wants any details on any of the product above feel free to message me.

[EireAtaxic in reply to Adam1420]

I had my new home adapted this time last year before we moved in. Widened doors, ramp entrance, level access shower room.

[sonofapeter]

Would you or anyone happen to know any resources available here in the States?