Adapted, Amenity Housing

Housing in its design and form should provide for people's different needs and circumstances. People have various housing needs and these will almost certainly change throughout the lifetime of a person.

Housing has to be adaptable to suit these different needs. One of the biggest challenges in meeting the housing requirements of people with a particular need is making sure that we have enough adapted, amenity properties so that we can match people to a suitably designed home.

• Older People generally defined as those over the age of 65, need their home to be designed in a way that allows them to live independently and provides a safe and secure environment.

• Ambulant Disabled People is a description that includes a wide group of people with a range of mobility problems or lack of agility and strength, but whose physical disability permits them to walk with or without the use of walking aids and some may occasionally use a wheelchair. Here, the need is for a home that, is easy to move around with a walking frame or sticks or crutches, has a bathroom that can be adapted to their needs and fittings and service controls that are within reach and easy to use.

• Wheelchair Users use a wheelchair most or all of the time, but otherwise their needs will vary considerably. They may or may not have upper body strength, which affects their reach, their dexterity and their possible need for additional technological aids and/or resident carers. A wheelchair user may live alone, or with a carer or partner or be part of a family unit. The design need is for a home that provides a completely step-free environment, space for a wheelchair to circulate and access all rooms, a kitchen and bathroom that suits the occupant's particular needs and fittings and services that are within reach and easy to use.

• Other Specific Needs can include people with impaired sight, who need good levels of light and tactile indicators on controls. Those with impaired hearing may need visual or tactile alternatives to bells or alarms. Other factors such as mental health or the need for care or support will affect the form of housing that is most appropriate. In some instances this will be shared or group housing with support provided as part of a wider package of care.

• Occupational Therapy Services works with people with disabilities to enable them to be as independent as possible. They work with all age groups. They may be able to help with every-day activities like washing, dressing, getting on or off the toilet or getting around your house safely.

• The Occupational Therapist will visit you at home to look at any practical difficulties you have and work with you to assess what you need. When they do their assessment they listen to what you and your carers tell them. It's not about them telling you what you need. They will take into account any disability or medical condition you have and will work with you to provide advice, equipment and adaptations to help you live more independently in your own home, or to make it easier for others who may provide care for you.

They may also be able to:

• Show you, or anyone who cares for you, different and safer ways of doing things. They can also refer you for other services.

• Help you to regain confidence at home after time spent in hospital.

• They have a range of equipment to help with tasks such as getting up from the toilet or out of a bath. They may provide a specialised bath lift so parents can bath a child in a supported position.

• They can arrange for minor adaptations, such as grab rails or additional banisters at a staircase. They can also make recommendations for more major structural adaptations to your home. Examples of this would be a ramp or lift so that you can get around your home in a wheelchair.

• Give advice about your re-housing options if your current home is not suitable to adapt.

• All information and advice is free. Any equipment supplied is on long term loan, free of charge. Minor adaptations are also free.

For more information about Medical Assessments and Adaptations, please go to our advice section on this website.