Disability & The Home

It is the Government’s objective that every disabled persons or persons who need extra support receive that support when it comes to having greater flexibility and control over where they live and how they live.

Many disabled people wish to live in their own home and support themselves and be independent, there are many ways in which they can be helped to achieve this and it is every disabled person’s right to do so.

Living independently

If you are disabled then there are considerations that have to be taken, such as:

* Do you receive the necessary support that may be available to help you to continue living independently in your own home.

* Do you have the equipment that is necessary to help you live an independent lifestyle.

* Are there ways that your home could be adapted to make your life easier

Every disabled person has the legal right to have an assessment by their social services department. There are many ways you can get help which you may be entitled to and following an assessment an occupational therapist may be able to recommend ideas and equipment for adapting your home to suit your needs.

There are several forms of financial help which you may be entitled to claiming and the disabled facilities grant is just one of them. This grant can help towards the cost of paying for adaptations and improvements to your home which enables you to live a more independent lifestyle.

Help may also be available from home improvement agencies that are usually no profit organisations which help disabled people to live independent lives. You may also be entitled to claim from independent living funds, these organisations will provide payments to people who are seriously disabled but who want to remain at home rather than live in residential care homes.

Your local council will be able to give you more information regarding services that you may be entitled to and advice on improving your existing home. There are also sheltered or supported housing programmes which allow for disabled people to still lead a partial independent life in their own home but which also have someone on hand should the disabled person need assistance.

Sheltered Housing

Sheltered housing offers the disabled a range of services to help them live independently, while enjoying the added benefit of having someone that they can call on in an emergency.

A warden will usually live on the premises and can be called through an alarm system if help is needed, some housing complexes are often specifically for disabled people and have specialised facilities and trained medical staff at hand.

Filed under: Disability & The Home