Equipment to help you live independently at home

We want everyone to live healthy, active and independent lives for as long as possible and to have control of their lives.

If you are older, have a long term illness or have a disability, you might benefit from having Occupational Therapy service to support you with accessing community equipment to help you remain independent at home.

Occupational Therapy service in Adult Social Care

Occupational Therapy is about supporting people to manage essential daily activities that they difficulty with.

Daily activities may be:

• getting in and out of the bath or shower
• getting around your home, and going up and down the stairs
• sometimes feeling unsafe in your own home such as the possibility of falling, or forgetting to switch off taps and cookers.

There is a wide range of minor equipment available that can be used in your home to make life easier and help you remain independent.

Examples include:

• stair rails
• grab rails
• raised toilet seating
• equipment to help in the bath or shower
• half steps and ramps.

How to access community equipment

There are several ways to access equipment to support you to live independently in your home.

If you live in a Council property or a private property, contact Adult Social Care Access and Response Team and request a care assessment that can be carried out in your home.

After the assessment, if you are eligible for support, the Occupational Therapy service will have a discussion with you about your identified needs and possible support options, which may include:

• more complex equipment (e.g. specialised seating to support a person with important daily tasks such as feeding) that is loaned to you
• adaptations to your home (e.g. concrete ramp)
• signposting and advice.

In Camden, NRS Healthcare provides the Community Equipment Service for both the Council and the NHS.  Some community equipment may be provided free of charge. The Occupational Therapy service will provide further details when you have your discussion with them about your identified needs. Further information about the Occupational Therapy service is available. 

If you live in a Housing Association property, you can also speak your Housing Association or Registered Social Landlord as they may be able to provide equipment directly.

Returning community equipment that is no longer needed

If you have already benefited from equipment loaned by NRS Healthcare that you no longer need, it can be recycled to help others who need it. 

To return equipment at no cost to you,  email NRS Healthcare at [email protected] or phone 0300 100 0253.

More information about NRS Healthcare is available on their website. 

Useful resources

Below are some useful websites where you can find more information about products or equipment to support independent living.