Adaptations, equipment and technology
Simple adaptations can empower people to maintain independence and mobility at home, and avoid accidents like trips and falls. Options might include installing grabrails in bathrooms or stairways, better lighting, or raising plug sockets to make them more accessible. Some improvements you want to make to your home you might not even realise could be helpful down the line – for example, something as simple as painting your rooms different colours may help if you or someone is your household develops certain visual impairments or a condition like dementia.
More significant changes could also be considered like replacing a bath with a walk-in shower, widening doorways, or lowering kitchen units. If you’re renovating or decorating anyway, it might be worthwhile considering any changes like this you might want to make now.
Help with funding to pay for adaptations is available for some people and will depend on whether your home is owned or rented. You can find more information for different housing types here:
- Adaptations funding guide for homeowners
- Adaptations funding guide for local authority tenants
- Adaptations funding guide for housing associate tenants
- Adaptations funding guide for private sector tenants
There are also lots of digital options that can help to make things easier around the home. Alarms and pendants can be used to call for help, sensors can indicate if there might have been a trip or fall, or things such as automatic heating controls can help to regulate temperature (and even save you money too!).
Everyday tech can also help people to stay independent and, also connected with loved ones and other services. Think about how smartphones, tablets and videocalls can help people to keep in touch or set reminders for appointments.
If you’re not sure what kind of adaptations or equipment might be right for you, try browsing some options online. Living Made Easy provides impartial information about a range of equipment that can be used inside and outside the home to help with independent living. Their website includes examples, descriptions and information about costs.
Housing support
Housing support can help people to maintain their independence at home, reduce social isolation or support a move home from hospital. The services provided should be tailored to individual needs but might include help to arrange adaptations, making links with community groups and building social networks, or helping with budgeting and ensuring that the person is accessing benefits they are entitled to.
Housing support is usually provided in the social housing sector but can be available to anyone. If you are living in the social rented sector, you can ask your landlord about the support you can access. If you own your home or live in the private rented sector, you can talk to your local council.
Care at home
People who need more support can arrange care at home to help with tasks like washing and getting dressed, housework and laundry. This type of care can be arranged through your local council which will assess what care is needed and eligibility for funding. Everyone aged 65 and over in Scotland is entitled to free “personal care” but this only covers certain tasks.
You can find out more about care at home and different options for funding here.
Improving energy efficiency
Having an energy efficient home can help to make sure it’s warm and comfortable and save money on energy bills if you’re using less gas or electricity.
Home Energy Scotland provides independent advice and information about reducing energy bills. If you are a homeowner you may also be able to get funding to support improvements to your home like insulation, draft proofing and double glazing – check what’s available here.
Care and Repair
Care and Repair Scotland works across 28 local authorities and provides advice and practical assistance to help homeowners with improvements and adaptations. You can find out more information about locations covered here. Local authorities have different approaches to providing financial assistance to homeowners so this will vary depending on where you live but Care and Repair staff will be able to provide advice on funding options.