Find the right equipment or adaptation for your needs | Equipment and adaptations to help you at home | Royal Borough of Greenwich

Equipment and adaptations to help you at home

This page suggests equipment and adaptation for different:

areas of your home
daily activities
health and care needs

You can buy equipment like this from:

local shops like Argos, Boots or some pharmacies
specialist disability shops
online retailers like Amazon
through a specialist website like Living Made Easy

Outside your home

Area	Potential problems	Possible solutions
Pathways and steps	Feeling unsteady when walking outside Uneven, steep or narrow paths and steps Trip hazards	Add outdoor steps and rails, or use half steps to reduce the height of existing steps Use reflecting tape to make the path and step edges easier to see Use slip-resistant flooring
Front door	Getting in and out of your home using a wheelchair Stepping over a high door threshold Answering the door	Consider adding a ramp Reduce or remove door thresholds where possible, for example with half steps Consider adding a keysafe
Outside bins	Getting to the bin Moving bins out for collection	Apply for an assisted bin collection service Ask if bins can be collected from an easier location for you Request clinical waste collections if needed
Security	Knowing who is outside	Install doorbells or door entry systems that show you who is at the door before opening it Install a motion-activated security camera

Around your home

Area	Potential problems	Possible solutions
Doorways, locks and handles	Heavy or awkward doors Narrow doorways Turning keys or handles	Consider different types of doors, such as lighter doors Rehang doors to open in a different direction Use handles and turners to help you open doors
Floors	Slippery or uneven floors Trip hazards	Use slip-resistant flooring or slip-resistant materials Remove loose rugs and mats Use contrasting floor colours to help identify changes in level
Windows	Reaching or opening windows	Use window, curtain and blind openers, which can be manual or automatic
Hallways	Narrow or cluttered hallways Dark, poorly lit hallways	Install wall-mounted rails or other types of grab rail Improve lighting Clear unnecessary items
Stairs	Steep, narrow or hard to manage stairs	Install stair rails, including newel rails for going around corners Consider a stairlift or other kinds of lifts Keep frequently used items downstairs
Sofas and chairs	Sitting down or standing up from a sofa Getting in or out of chairs Feeling comfortable when sitting	Use furniture raisers to make sofas and chairs higher Use supportive armchairs and sofas, such as chairs that rise or recline Use pillows, cushions and posture supports
Lighting	Lighting too bright or too dark Reaching light switches	Improve lighting levels and use smart lighting controls Move switches to easier to reach positions
Heating	Reaching or operating heating controls	Use smart environmental controllers to help adjust your heating Move controls to a more convenient location, or install a separate thermostat Set up heating programmes or timers
Plugs	Reaching sockets Plugging in and unplugging items	Choose easier to use or smart plugs and sockets Use socket extensions fitted by an electrician Raise sockets where possible
Accessing gas and electric meters	Reaching or reading meters	Ask your energy provider about relocating meters Use a smart meter Join your energy supplier’s Priority Services Register (Ofgem)

Kitchen

Area	Potential problems	Possible solutions
Kitchen cupboards	Reaching high cupboards Bending down to low cupboards Standing to prepare food Not seeing items on worktops	Store frequently used items within easy reach Use a perching stool while preparing food Reduce clutter on worktops and use contrasting colours to make items easier to see
Kettle	Lifting, carrying or pouring a kettle Overpouring or spilling drinks	Use lighter or easier kettles or drinks dispensers Consider a hot water dispenser Use a liquid level indicator to help you fill cups or mugs
Kitchen appliances (oven, grill, washing machine, dryer, fridge)	Bending down Lifting heavy dishes or laundry Reading controls	Use easier kitchen appliances, food preparation equipment or cleaning and laundry equipment Use a trolley to move food or laundry around Use labelling like raised stickers to identify controls
Taps	Turning taps on and off	Use tap turners Install different kinds of taps and soap dispensers, like lever taps or longer mixer taps
Kitchen utensils	Holding or using utensils Keeping utensils steady	Choose large-handled cutlery Use lightweight plates and bowls, cups, mugs and glasses and food preparation utensils Use slip resistant materials to keep items steady

Bathroom

Area	Potential problems	Possible solutions
Toilet and flushing	Getting to the toilet Getting up from the toilet Managing personal hygiene	Use a raised toilet seat or a toilet frame or rails Consider a commode Install a different toilet that better meets your needs, like a wash-dry toilet
Sinks and basins	Reaching a high sink Bending down to a low sink Standing at the sink or basin Personal grooming or brushing teeth	Install an adjustable height or mobile washbasin Use a perching stool Use accessible personal care equipment, such as an electric shaver, electric toothbrush or water flosser
Bath or shower	Getting in and out of the bath Stepping into the shower Using controls	Use bath and shower boards, seats and stools or bath and shower chairs Look into bath and shower accessories, like non-slip mats or steps to help you step into the bath or shower Look into different types of top entry baths, side entry baths and shower cubicles, such as level-access showers or showers with easier to use controls Consider a bath lift or hoist

Bedroom

Area	Potential problems	Possible solutions
Wardrobes and drawers	Reaching clothes Opening storage	Adapt your wardrobe with open shelving or a wardrobe rail • Choose drawers rather than deep cupboards • Use a freestanding clothes rail
Bed	Getting into or out of bed Falling out of bed	Use furniture raisers to make your bed higher, or lower it if you need Use a bed safety rail Consider an adjustable profiling bed

Daily activities

Activity	Potential problems	Possible solutions
Using the phone	Answering the phone Making calls	Look at different kinds of home phones and mobile phones to find the right option for you Save important contact numbers
Telling the time	• Reading the time • Remembering appointments or daily routines	Choose a table clock or wall-mounted clock that meets your needs, like a talking clock or large-face clock Use scheduling apps or reminder services, or set alarms on your phone
Managing medication	Remembering medication Keeping medication safe	Set medication reminders or alarms Try medication organisers and dispensers, sometimes called dosette boxes Use pharmacy-prepared medication packs
Gardening	Bending down Lifting Reaching	Use specialist gardening tool sets, or tools to help with digging, raking and planting, or pruning and cutting Create raised beds or planters Arrange gardening support if needed