Decent homes
Aids and adaptations
An adaptation is an alteration to your home that will help you live as independently as possible. You can refer yourself to the Occupational Therapy Service directly if you are having difficulty with everyday activities and would like an assessment. Call 020 8379 6900 or 020 8379 6912. An occupational therapist will visit you at home to assess your needs. They may recommend adaptations or equipment to help you with:
- getting in and out of your home
- getting on and off your toilet
- using your bathroom and
- using the internal stairs in the property.
Minor adaptations
A minor adaptation may be, for example, a grab rail to help you get out of the bath, an extra banister rail to help you manage the stairs, or rails at your door to help you get up and down outside steps.
Major adaptations
A major adaptation may be, for example, a level-access shower,stair lift, or ramp. If you need major adaptations, your case will be presented to the Housing Options panel. The panel may support the occupational therapist's recommendation, or suggest other ways to help you. Sometimes we can’t adapt a property to provide the facilities that you need. In this situation, your occupational therapist can discuss alternative options that are available to you. One option may be to move to a more suitable property.
If you are a leaseholder, you can refer yourself to an occupational therapist for an assessment. If you need major adaptations, the occupational therapist will refer you to the Private Sector Housing Assistance Team on 020 8379 6153. The Private Sector Housing (PSH) Assistance Team can give you help and advice about the adaptations process, as you may qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to pay for the adaptations. The PSH Assistance Team will do a means test and tell you how much you may have to pay towards the recommended adaptation. If you wish to pay for major adaptations yourself, the occupational therapist can provide support and advice.