Adapting your home
Our goal is to help people live independently at home for as long as possible. This might mean making small changes to the home or providing equipment to make daily life easier.
Many people can stay safe at home with the right equipment. This helps maintain independence and can delay or prevent the need for social care.
If you have a disability that makes living in your home difficult, we can provide support to make things easier.
Examples of equipment and minor home adaptations
There are lots of different products available to make your daily activities easier.
Some examples include:
- grab rails
- raised toilet seats
- walking frames
- perching stools
- pick up and reaching aids
There is a free, interactive self-assessment tool to get an idea of equipment to help your situation. Go to equipment self-assessment tool – Disabled Living Foundation.
To browse equipment, go to Living Made Easy – Disabled Living Foundation.
Examples of major home adaptations
Some typical examples of major adaptations include:
- widening doorways
- installing ramps
- installing a stairlift
- creating disabled access to showers
- lowering of work surfaces in kitchens
Equipment will always be considered before adaptations to the home, and minor adaptations before major ones.
If you live in a rented property, you'll need to get your landlord's permission to make changes.
To receive equipment and adaptations from us you must:
Occupational therapy
The service which provides equipment and adaptations is called occupational therapy. The professional workers who can assess people for this service are occupational therapists (OTs).
Luton and Milton Keynes work together to provide the Community Equipment Loan Service. Medequip is our service provider for the delivery, collection, repair and servicing of community equipment.
During your assessment an OT may visit you in your home to identify options to help you, which may include a home adaptation.
For children (under 18), contact the Children’s Assessment Team.