Equipment and adaptations
Assessment for equipment and adaptations
What is assessment?
An assessment is where a member of the Community Occupational Therapy Service (OTS) visits you in your home or telephones you and talks to you to work out what difficulties you have, and what help you need. You must have had an assessment before we can help you with any equipment or adaptations.
The OTS will take into account:
- your physical difficulties
- your ability to carry out every day activities around your home
- your social situation
- any problems your carer or family may have in looking after you
- any cultural issues or special needs that you may want us to take into account.
The occupational therapist will write this into a report called a "Care plan". Once this is complete, we will give you a copy.
You may be assessed with or without your carer present, if you wish
Who can have an assessment?
You must be a permanent resident of Liverpool, living in your own home.
You must also have a disability which:
- has lasted or is likely to last, for at least 12 months and has no prospect of significant improvement
- significantly affects your ability to carry out the activities of daily living in the home, or imposes a burden on your carer or family.
Is there anywhere I can get independent information and advice about equipment and adaptations?
Liverpool Disabled Living Centre provides free independent, impartial information and advice to people who want assistance in making the right choices about equipment.
The centre has a permanent display of over 2,000 products and adaptations. Its information services covers over 20,000 products. For a free information pack contact the centre by phone on 0151 298 2055 or by email at disabled.living.centre@liverpool.gov.uk
How do I arrange a visit?
Contact Careline on 0151 233 3800. You will be asked for details about your circumstances and what activities you are finding difficult, or alternatively, you may prefer to be sent a questionnaire called a "self assessment" to complete in your own words.
How long does it take to get an appointment?
There is a heavy demand for assessments, and we may contact you for more information about your difficulties. We need this information to work out who needs help most urgently. We aim to begin an assessment of urgent cases within a month of receipt of a request.
I'm not sure whether I qualify for an assessment. What should I do?
Contact the Careline on 0151 233 3800. We consider each case individually.
If we can't help you, we will do our best to put you in touch with people who can.
What advice and help can the occupational therapy service provide?
The occupational therapist will produce a report called a "Care Plan" which makes recommendations about what you need in order to deal with your difficulties. The occupational recommendations could include:
- Reorganising your home
- Buying equipment to make life easier
- Buying or borrowing specialist equipment
- Rehousing
- Advice on availability of practical help
- Referral for further treatment or rehabilitation
- Adaptations to the home
- Referral to other agencies.