To find out if any equipment or adaptations would be suitable, an Occupational Therapist (OT) or Disabled Living Advisor (DLA) will assess your needs. This is called a needs assessment.
If needed, they can visit your home to carry out the assessment.
There is a priority system; urgent cases are seen first, and others may be placed on a waiting list depending on their needs.
What happens at an assessment
The OT will:
- Ask about how you manage daily activities such as getting dressed, bathing, or moving around your home
- Look at the challenges you face
- Recommend the best way to meet your needs
Depending on your situation, recommendations may include:
- Simple changes to the way you do everyday tasks
- Equipment such as a walking frame, bath seat, or specialist toilet (loaned to you free of charge)
- Home adaptations, which may be passed to the Adaptations Team for consideration of a Disabled Facilities Grant