The Occupational Therapy Service provides services for older people and adults with physical disabilities.
We can give advice and information to help you stay as independent as possible. This could include advice about equipment and alterations to your home to help you and your carer manage more easily.
We may be able to help you if you:
normally live in Somerset
have difficulty managing everyday tasks due to physical disability or illness, or
are a carer.
You can buy some equipment that might help you from local shops. There are also some voluntary organisations and private providers that sell equipment for disabled people. We can tell you more about this if you contact us.
What happens next?
When you contact us we will ask you for information about you and your needs. We may be able to give you advice and information on the phone. Sometimes, someone from the Occupational Therapy Team may need to come and see you to make sure we give you the best advice. This is called an assessment.
If your assessment shows that you need equipment, for example, a hoist and sling or minor works such as stair rails, then we will provide them free of charge.
You can apply for an Occupational Therapy assessment, equipment or assistance by phoning us on 0845 345 9133.
If your assessment shows that you need equipment, for example, a hoist and sling or minor works such as stair rails, then we will provide them free of charge.
You may need major alterations to your home such as putting in a stair-lift or wet-floor shower. We will ask the District Council to consider you for a Disabled Facilities Grant. They will ask you for information about your finances and you may have to pay towards the cost of the work. Adaptations that can be considered for a Disabled Facilities Grant include:
Access - widening doorways for wheelchairs
Bathroom adaptations
Fixed overhead hoists
Lifts - stairlift or through-floor lifts
General alterations including permanent ramps
Please contact us if you would like to know more.
Repairs
If the equipment you have on loan needs to be repaired, please contact us.
Returning equipment
When the equipment we have given you is no longer needed, please contact us to arrange for its return.
You can do this by phoning us on 0845 345 9133.
Assistive technology
Would you be surprised to know that you use assistive technology already in everyday life? It comes in the form of devices to alert us when:
- it's time to get up - alarm clocks
- there is smoke in the house- smoke detectors
- there's someone at the door- door bell
- there's a call for you- phones and mobiles
- and there are plenty more examples
The Government is committed to encouraging organisations, such as health and social care departments, to develop the use of this type of technology to support the more vulnerable to live in the community for longer.
The aim is to give people more choice and control over how they live their lives and the risks they are able to take.
If you would like to talk someone, call your local Community Alarm Service provider for further information about telecare sensors and the relevant charges; some of them may be free-of-charge.
Deane Helpline
Taunton Deane Borough Council
Control Centre
Kilkenny Court
Station Approach
Taunton.
TA2 7QL
Phone: 01823 257185
Magna West Somerset
St Peter's House
Bridge Street
Williton
Taunton
TA4 4NR
Phone: 0800 138 6107
Mendip Helpline
Mendip Housing Ltd.
Kilver Court
Kilver Street
Shepton Mallet
BA4 5NF
Phone: 01749 334329
Sedgemoor Lifeline
Sedgemoor District Council
Bridgwater House
Kings Square
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 3AR
Phone: 01278 435776
South Somerset Careline
Houndstone Close
Abbey Manor Park
Yeovil
Somerset
BA21 3RL
Phone: 01935 479815
Wheelchair provision
Your doctor will refer you for an assessment. The assessment will be carried out by Exeter Mobility Centre.
Long-term loans are for people who need a wheelchair most of the time. Short-term loans are assessed by an Occupational Therapist from NHS Somerset and are for three months or less. If you would like to hire a wheelchair on a temporary basis please contact the Red Cross. To find out more, phone us on 0845 345 9133.
Policy
To qualify for adaptions in the home:
The person who the adaptations are for must have a substantial and permanent disability or be registered disabled under the National Assistance Act 1948
The applicant must be either the owner of the property or be a tenant (including licensees) and be able to provide the local authority with the necessary 'owner's certificate' or 'tenant's certificate'. This will not necessarily be the disabled person for whom the works are required. In such cases the applicant should make it clear on whose behalf the application is being made.
A landlord may apply on behalf of a disabled tenant.
When applying for a grant, the applicant, whether an owner-occupier, tenant or landlord, will be asked to sign a certificate stating the intention that throughout the grant condition period, currently five years, (or a shorter period if the disabled person's health and other relevent circumstances permit) the disabled person will occupy the dwelling as their main residence.
When the application for a grant is submitted, the District Council will need to check that the proposed works are necessary and appropriate to meet the disabled person's needs. This will be done through consultation with your Occupational Therapist following an assessment of your needs under the Fair Access to Care Services criteria.
The District Council will also need to check that the work is reasonable and practicable, depending on the age and condition of the property.
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