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Frequently Asked Questions - Housing Adaptations

Questions

General Information

• What is an adaptation?
• What is a minor and/or major adaptation?
• What type of adaptations would the council normally help financially towards?

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Answers

General Information

What is an adaptation?

Any permanent or fixed alteration to enable elderly or disabled residents and their families to overcome functional difficulties in their home and make their home environment more suitable for their needs.

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What is a minor and/or major adaptation?

Minor - Fixed alterations which are easily fitted and normally cost below £200 e.g. handrails and banister rails.

Major - Alterations that may cost more than £200 e.g. stairlift, level access shower, ramp and may cause disruption to the tenant.

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What type of adaptations would the council normally help financially towards?

The following list identifies the typical types of adaptation work that the Council will consider within its policies and procedures. It is not meant to an exhaustive list, and consideration should always be given where the Occupational Therapist identifies an overriding reason to include additional works.

Lifting and hoisting

• Provision of ceiling tracking hoists;
• Vertical through floor lift;
• Stairlift.

Support

• Additional handrails on staircase;
• Grab-rails/support rails;
• Drop down rails.

External

• Ramp provision to provide front and/or rear access;
• Hard standing/dropped kerb access.

Bathing and Toileting

• Installations of level access showers;
• Provision of over bath showers;
• Lifting or lowering of WC and wash hand basin;
• Replacing taps with lever type;
• Installation of non-slip floor coverings;
• Installation of Clos-o-mat toilet.

Heating and Electrical

• Supply radiators or heater to existing central heating system;
• Resiting heating controls;
• Provision of electrical sockets for environmental controls (supplied by others);
• Improved lighting to improve visibility;
• Provision of door entry system with controls;
• Resiting door entry control points;
• Installation of flashing light doorbell.

Access

• Widening, re-hanging or removal of doors;
• Removal of walls;
• Replacing existing doors with bi-fold or sliding doors;
• Provision of pull handles, kick plates and protective edge strips to doors;
• Installation of remote control door openers to main entrance door;
• Formation of new door openings;
• Adjusting the height of kitchen worktops and units.

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