If your home does not meet your needs you should ask
your local authority for an assessment of your needs. This will be
carried out by the social work department, most often by an
Occupational Therapist. The assessment should include a full
investigation into your needs and the needs of other people in your
houseshold, the supply or loan of useful equipment to help with
daily living, such as ramps, stair lifts, and bath seats should be
considered in addition to assessment of any adaptations necessary
to improve your independence. After careful consideration it may
turn out that you do not need to get any structural changes to the
house after all.
As well as making recommendations on what is needed,
the assessment will also indicate whether your needs are a
priority, that is, how urgently you need the adaptations, and
whether they are essential at this stage. The council will use this
to determine how long you might have to wait for assistance.
You may be offered equipment instead of a structural
alteration. Make sure that you discuss your requirements fully with
the Occupational Therapist and ask your own doctor's advice or
speak to someone else whose judgement you value. If you are not
happy with the assessment you should consider making a formal
complaint. You may have to consider moving house. This will not be
an easy or quick option but it may be necessary if, for example,
your present house cannot be adapted at reasonable cost.
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