Equipment for the home

If someone has difficulty turning taps on or you worry taps will be left on

It may be possible to install single lever taps which control both temperature and flow rate.

Some of these taps are also thermostatically controlled for increased safety. You can also get taps which turn on automatically when you put your hands under them so these could be an option too.  

Alternatively, tap turners can be purchased to assist the person you are looking after to operate your existing conventional taps. The advantage of these is that they can be used if you are away from home. 

If the person you’re caring for cannot stand up for long periods

Some tasks can be carried out whilst seated. For tasks like washing up or ironing, a perching stool may be useful. 

You could also consider lowering the kitchen worktops especially if the person you care for uses a wheelchair or has difficulties reaching the worktop and using cupboards.  

Try to store utensils at hip and eye level for the user or within their easy reach (unless this is considered unsafe). Some people find trays, adjustable knobs or movable kitchen trollies helpful.

If struggling with food preparation and cooking

Here are some ideas to consider for making these tasks easier and safe for someone with a disability:

• Use a kettle with a holder to make it easy to pour. 
• Use non-slip mats on the worktop to stop things from sliding around.
• Use lightweight pots and pans which are easier to lift,
• Consider knives and forks with special handles to make them easier to hold, cups with two handles and easy to grip jugs, peelers or graters.
• Plastic measuring jugs may be lighter and easier to use than glass equivalents.
  
  
  

For more ideas, see our page 'Where to find products and services to help'.

If someone has difficulty getting in and out of the bath

Getting in and out of the bath can be extremely daunting for those who have limited movement or muscle weakness. Options to try to help could be a bath lift, a bath stool, a bath board, easy access bath tubs or a hoist fitted inside of the bath. You could also consider installing a wet room or walk-in shower. 

Some people find that having grab rails attached to the wall or the side of the bath is really beneficial in offering support to get in and out of the bath.

If someone can't stand in the shower for long

You could consider a shower bench so that they can shower sitting down. To make it safer for the person you care for to take a bath or shower, use a rubber bathmat. Something as simple as a removable shower head or specially designed brushes can also be much easier to use if someone's movement is restricted.

Making it easier to use the toilet

To help the person you care for get on and off the toilet more comfortably, you could get a raised toilet seat. This would fit over your existing one. Adjustable toilet frames can also be fitted around the pedestal to offer more support.

Grab rails at the side of the toilet can also be helpful. Other options to explore could be a toilet seat with built in arm rests or a static or mobile commode. 

If someone has difficulty getting in and out of bed

Getting in and out of bed is very frustrating and difficult if you are unable to move easily.

If you are caring for someone who finds this difficult, they might find leg lifters (straps to support you to lift your leg) helpful. Using glide sheets could also be helpful.

Bed raisers can increase the height of a bed and make it easier to get in and out of bed. They can be added under the legs or castors of beds. Or it may be preferable to have an adjustable bed with over-bed tables.   

Are they worried about falling out of bed?

The possibility of unexpectedly falling from a bed is understandably frightening. If the person you are caring for is at risk of falling out of bed, you could look at the option of bed rails for safety. These can sometimes be removed during the daytime so that there is flexibility.

Being comfortable

Bed assists, leg supports and specially designed pillows can all be used to help improve someone's comfort levels in bed.

Is getting dressed and undressed difficult? 

Someone who has a disability or who has restricted mobility might be keen to get dressed or undressed unassisted if this is possible.

There are devices that can help such as specially designed hooks that can help pull zips, undo buttons and put jackets on.  

There are also many clever gadgets and gizmos that can help a person put socks, tights and underwear on. 

Difficulties with continence?

There are a number of continence aids that can help such as portable bed pans and urinals, special bed or chair pads and supportive underwear. See our Continence care page for further support and guidance.

Other useful items such as a bed hoists allow people to pull themselves up to a sitting position or bed armchairs that can help people sit more comfortably.  

Help with reaching items

A simple device called a reacher could potentially make a range of everyday tasks easier for disabled people – such as picking things up off the floor or from high up on a shelf. 

Getting up and down and resting comfortably

Often a higher seated chair or a chair with arms is easier to get up from than a sofa. If the arms do not have any gaps at the side, this makes pushing up from them easier and means that nothing can slip through them and on to the floor.

Chair raisers or riser recliner chairs can be used if the person you care for struggles to get in and out of their current chair. Try not to use cushions to raise the height of the seat as this can be bad for the back. 

Footstools can offer extra support and make sitting down easier especially if someone has leg pain or aches. Perching stools are also useful if they find it difficult to stand for long.

Getting around

If there are any steps into the home (or uneven flooring or steps within the home), a handle on the door frame could help, or an extra half step could be added to reduce the height. Fitting a ramp could also help reduce any related danger or offer easier access for wheelchair users.

If it is a lot of effort for the person you care for to answer the door, or if they can’t do it at all, you might want to consider installing a doorbell system that enables them to speak (and possibly see) the person at the door and let them in remotely. 

Additionally, you could think about having doorways widened if you're helping someone who is a wheelchair user. 

A second banister on the stairs could help the person you look after balance when they are going up and down, or you might wish to consider the installation of a stairlift. 

Hand grips can make door handles easier to turn and magnifiers and bright lights can help people with vision loss.

Non-slip mats and stops can help rugs stay in place, or slippers with extra grip can prevent the risk of someone slipping or falling.

More information

We have more information about searching for useful aids and equipment on our 'Where to find products and services to help' page.