Staying independent

You may find that some equipment you can buy yourself can help make life easier. AskSARA is an award-winning online self-help guide providing expert advice and information on products and equipment for older and disabled people. It provides impartial advice on equipment to help make daily living easier.

For further discussions please see the Independent Living Service details below.

North Lincolnshire’s Independent Living Service provides information, advice and guidance to enable you to remain independent in your own home and stay well connected in your community.

This service is open to everyone who may benefit from assistive technology. We work to support you to find practical solutions to help with daily living needs. We will talk to you about your daily life and focus on what you’re already doing well and see how equipment might enhance or support those strengths.

We can share details about local organisations that offer equipment and assistive technology, so you can find options that feel right for you and support your needs safely.

The Independent Living Service provides opportunities to access and explore technology solutions. These include Telecare and digital solutions such as voice activated virtual assistants (for example Amazon’s ‘Alexa’). We can support by guiding you through examples of useful support websites including online marketplaces, local groups and services available locally.

We can discuss with you the types of non specialist housing adaptations and signpost you to further services where appropriate.

Assistive Technology is offered as part of the Home First rehabilitation and reablement service to support people leaving hospital or receiving intermediate care for a time limited period. There is no charge for rehabilitation and reablement support for up to six weeks, or until optimum independence is achieved, to help individuals regain their confidence and independence.

See also short term support section at the top of the page.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy helps people manage their every day tasks when they are dealing with illness, injury, disability or life changing events. By providing specialised support and interventions, North Lincolnshire Council’s Occupational Therapy Service will support people to regain or maintain independence, improve their safety and wellbeing at home thus enhancing quality of life. We focus on what matters to you.

Our Occupational Therapy Service offers assistance with:

• information, advice and guidance across all aspects of daily living
• provision of equipment to enhance your independence at home
• adaptation of your living environment to ensure improved access to your essential facilities
• offering advice on housing options that would provide better accessibility.

Contact

The handyperson service can carry out minor repairs, improvements to help you access your property, such as ramps and small works such as fitting grab rails.

To request minor repairs to your property

An online enquiry can be made by completing the relevant form below.

Funding for repairs or improvements

If you’re disabled or living in a home that isn’t quite safe, you might be eligible for a Home Grant from the Council. These grants can help you make changes to your home, like adding safety features or making it easier to move around; so it better suits your needs. We give priority to those who need the most support, including older people, those with health conditions, or anyone facing vulnerability. You can find all the details, including who qualifies and how to apply, on our housing standards, improvements, grants and loans page.

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) help pay for adaptations to your home in order to help you live more independently.

The grant only provides funding for necessary and appropriate adaptations that are needed to meet the needs of the disabled person, and those which are reasonable, taking into consideration the age and condition of the property. For example, it would not fund adaptations you do not need, nor would it fund adaptations that could result in damage to the property. The kind of adaptations it can fund include (but are not limited to) things such as stair lifts, access ramps, access to bathing facilities, and heating and lighting controls.  See the  housing standards, improvements, grants and loans page for further information.

Home Appreciation Loan

The council can also provide a loan between £2,000 and £10,000 to help people with the cost of works that impact their health or safety. You only have to repay the loan when you no longer own your home, for example, when you sell it. If you wish to apply for home assistance, you can visit the home appreciation section.

Loans for minor works

The Home Cheque Loan is a loan between £500 and £2,000 to carry out minor works, such as to replace faulty boilers. The loan is available to vulnerable home-owners, or tenants who have the responsibility to maintain their home, such as elderly people, or people on low income or in poor health. This loan is re-payable; however, it has a lower interest rate than with other lenders for similar amounts. See the  housing standards, improvements, grants and loans page for further information.

What is Telecare?

Telecare is the name given to electronic equipment which can support people to remain independent in their own homes.

Equipment can help someone feel safe and secure within their home and also offer family and carers peace of mind and reassurance.

An alarm or sensor can be worn by the person or placed around the home. This enables the person to directly seek help or, when a sensor is automatically triggered, alerts a call centre or an on site carer that the person requires assistance.

How does it work?

When an individual triggers their alarm or an automatic sensor raises an alert this will link directly to a 24 hour call centre. The call centre staff will be able to offer advice and reassurance and contact someone who is an identified responder and/or the emergency services to visit the person to offer support.

When can Telecare help?

There are lots of different types of equipment and many situations when Telecare can help. Examples include:

• when someone feels vulnerable due to age, health issues, or disability
• when someone lives alone and feels isolated
• when someone is returning home from hospital or care
• to offer reassurance and peace of mind to family and carers
• when someone has a history of falls or is at risk of falling
• when someone is at risk of wandering out of the home alone
• when someone cannot react to emergencies within the house such as fire or floods
• when someone is unable to react to changes in the environment – extreme changes in room temperature
• when someone becomes ill
• when someone has carers that need to be alerted within the same property
• when someone wishes to develop their independence.

What Telecare equipment might help?

• pendant alarm and lifeline box
• bed and chair sensors
• prompts and reminders
• enuresis sensor (for those with continence problems)
• falls detector
• epilepsy sensor
• home pager or Care Assist
• property exit sensors
• property security features
• bogus caller button
• environmental sensors.

Who is eligible to have Telecare installed?

Telecare equipment is offered as part of the Home First rehabilitation and reablement service to support people leaving hospital or receiving intermediate care for a time limited period. This service is free of charge up to six weeks to help individuals regain their confidence and independence.

If you are already eligible and receiving support with your care needs funded by North Lincolnshire Council, you can discuss Telecare with your allocated worker/team.

If you feel you require support with your care needs or telecare, you can request a care assessment.

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for support, Telecare can be purchased privately through the Care Call Service.

Why should we be interested in falls?

Around 30 per cent of over 65s in North Lincolnshire living at home will fall each year. This rises to 50 per cent of those aged 80 living at home or in care homes. Of these falls, 20 per cent will require medical attention.

Six per cent of falls amongst the over 65s result in a fracture, including one per cent hip fractures.

There were over 500 emergency admissions to hospital for hip fractures as a result of a fall in 2013/14 in North Lincolnshire. This is in addition to emergency admissions for other injuries caused by falls.

Home hazards

• Keep home free of clutter and make sure there are no trailing wires
• Be aware of tripping hazards such as rugs and pets
• Be aware of uneven floors
• Consider using a slip proof mat in the bath and shower
• Ensure lighting is sufficient to see
• Wipe up spills straight away
• Avoid walking on slippery floors in socks or tights
• Don’t rush to answer the door or telephone, consider getting a portable or mobile telephone

Feet and footwear

• Wear properly fitting shoes and slippers with non skid soles
• Replace slippers and shoes that have stretched and are too loose
• Look after your feet taking care to trim your toenails and see a chiropodist / podiatrist about any foot problems. Podiatry Services can be accessed in the Community Hubs.

Keep moving

Doing regular exercise such as walking, Pilates and Tai Chi can improve your strength and balance, reducing your risk of falling.

Local leisure centres and Community Hubs can offer supervised walks and training programmes for older people.

General health

High blood pressure can cause dizziness, increasing the risk of falling. If you are experiencing dizziness visit your GP for a blood pressure check.

It is important to keep a check on your health. If you are in the 40-74 age group and don’t have a pre-existing health condition such as:

• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Kidney Disease
• Peripheral Arterial Disease and Atrial Fibrillation
• High blood pressure, or
• High cholesterol

you can have a free mid life MOT. The NHS Health Check can help you prevent or delay the onset of diabetes, stroke, heart and kidney disease and dementia.

Medication and alcohol

If you have been taking medication your GP or practice nurse will review these every year to ensure that they are still right for you. They may stop them or recommend a lower dose, particularly if they have side effects which increase your chance of falling. A review of your medication is particularly important if you are taking four or more different medications a day.

It is important to store your medications in a well lit area and to make sure they are clearly labelled.

Avoid drinking alcohol as this can increase your risk of falling and can also contribute to osteoporosis.

Sight and hearing

If you think your poor vision is increasing your risk of falls, even when wearing glasses, make an appointment to have a sight test.

Having your ears checked regularly could help prevent dizzy spells and poor balance which can also lead to falls.

Home care, or domiciliary care, is support provided in the person’s own home to allow them to stay independent for as long as possible. A home carer is paid to carry out this service and so should not be confused with a voluntary carer, such as a family member.

Home care often includes tasks such as:

• Getting dressed
• Help to use the toilet
• Washing
• Preparing or eating food and drink
• Cleaning
• Laundry
• Getting out and about
• Taking part in social activities

Accessing home care

There are several different ways of arranging home care:

• Employ a Personal Assistant
• Arrange your own care directly with a registered provider via the Care Quality Commission website
• Contact us to arrange an assessment to identify if you are eligible for care and support. If you are, we can help you to find a home carer.
• It may be that you need some short-term help to get you back on your feet and live as independently as possible. For more information visit the getting well again page.

Paying for home care

If you are arranging your own home care with a provider, you will have to pay their private rates. Rates can vary between providers.

If you are eligible for help with your care and support, you may also be eligible for help towards the costs of your care. A financial assessment will be arranged.  This is to assess how much you may have to pay towards the cost of these services.

The financial assessment will look at your income, spending, including disability related expenditure, savings and benefits you receive.