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Adapting the Home
If the home can be made suitable with appropriate equipment or modifications, staying in the existing home can have many advantages.
Occupational Therapists provide advice on ways of managing with day to day tasks. They can also make recommendations on funding for essential modifications for the home. If anyone is experiencing any difficulty at all in managing within their own home, they are advised to contact their GP for a referral to a Community Occupational Therapist, or alternatively contact a private Occupational Therapist
For your local Occupational Therapists see
The numerous changes that can be made (and funded) by the Ministry of Health are:
- Improving outside access by installing ramps, railings, grips, wheelchair access and in very special cases, even driveways.
- Ensuring bathrooms are safe by making modifications to showers, baths, etc. and providing safety equipment.
- Eliminating potential hazards, e.g. loose mats, protruding sharp edges etc.
In many cases equipment can be loaned or hired, and it is always advisable to talk with a qualified Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist to discuss individual needs first. For Ministry of Health assistance see more information here.
Personal Care |
(Bathing/showering/dressing etc)
If people are experiencing problems with bathing, showering or dressing, it is possible they may qualify for assistance with these tasks. The local needs assessor should be contacted. Anyone can refer as long as the person has given consent.
There are however a number of products available that can help, these range from long range brushes and sponges for showering, to specialised aids for dressing.
Occupational Therapists's are available to give advice on the best practise and the best product for individual needs. the most common aids are:
- Specialised, wide grip toothbrushes for dental care.
- Extensions applied to everyday devices to allow for reach, e.g. for combs and hairbrushes.
View helpful equipment stockists:
Horowhenua Mobility Aids and Equipment
- Occupational Therapists - to access and assist in the safe return to a person's environment. Issues may include dressing,showering, kitchen assessments and provision of specialised equipment.
- Social Workers - to access needs and arrange appropriate support services such as Needs Assessment and Service co-ordination.
- Clinical Psychologist- to assist with any stress problems, emotional issues and other difficulties hindering recovery.
- Speech Language Therapist - to assess swallowing difficulties and recommend appropriate foods and fluids, and provide assistance with communication problems.
- Dietitian - to discuss diets, especially specialised diets e.g. diabetic diets, diets to increase weight, high protein diets etc.
- Pharmacist - advice on taking medicines at home, help with fully stocking trays and discussion on changes to medication.
Following thorough assessments, sometimes meetings are held with family, caregivers and patients to plan for a person's placement. Assessment of a person's functioning is often carried out not only in the hospital but often in their home setting.
If your disability has been caused by an accident you will most likely be entitiled to some assistance from ACC for a variety of reasons
Here is information on Home Modifications