Adapting Your Home

What is a home adaptation?

If you are disabled or have a long term illness you can adapt your home to make things easier for you or your carer.

Types of adaptations are:

• a ramp
• a stair lift
• level access shower
• wider doors
• wheelchair-accessible ground floor bedroom or bathroom.

How can we help?

An occupational therapist can visit you in your home to:

• look at the difficulties you are having with everyday living tasks
• give advice on help available. This may include adapting your home.

Paying for adaptations

You may be entitled to a Disabled Facilities Grant| if you:

• own the home you live in
• are a private tenant
• are a housing association tenant.

You must receive certain benefits or have a financial assessment|.

If you live in a property owned by Bournemouth Borough Council, an occupational therapist| refers details of your needs to Housing Landlord Services who decide if the request meets their criteria. If it does, they will arrange for a contractor to carry out the work.

Other help if funding is not available

Help and Care is a local registered charity and an accredited home improvement agency. They can provide technical advice and support to homeowners and private sector tenants. They charge a fee for this service.

Help and Care also hold a list of checked and approved trades people.

Phone them on 0845 4500 418, visit their website www.helpandcare.org.uk| or email them at housing@helpandcare.org.uk |

How to apply for an adaptation

Contact Bournemouth Care Direct to ask for an assessment by an occupational therapist or complete our online form|.

An occupational therapist will visit you at home to assess your needs.

If we recommend an adaptation, we will advise how the work might be funded.