Equipment and adaptations

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to help with equipment or adaptations for your home.

• When we can help you
• Who can use Haringey's occupational therapy services?
• What kind of help is there?
• Try before you buy
• Occupational therapy drop-in service
• Where to find us

When we can help you:

We may be able to help if you...

• have a disability
• are elderly
• have a long-term or terminal illness which causes you to have difficulties coping with daily living tasks.

We can assess you to find out what difficulties you have in doing day to day activities which enable you to live independently both inside and outside your home. We can also offer advice about alternative ways of carrying out activities independently.

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Who can use Haringey's occupational therapy services?

Haringey residents can access the service following referral and assessment. The referral can come from:

• yourself
• a health care professional
• staff in housing services.

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What kind of help?

• We can advise on suitable equipment for you or adaptations for your home.
• We may be able to supply some equipment on loan, for example, a raised toilet seat or bathing equipment, as well as some larger pieces of equipment.
• No charge is made for equipment on loan. However, our supplies are limited and for some equipment, such as custom-made shower chairs or slings, there is a waiting period.
• We can recommend minor adaptations to your home, like stair rails or outside hand rails.
• If we feel that major adaptations are needed, such as a lift or a ramp for wheelchair access, we can discuss how these can be funded.
• We want to help you live independently in your present home. But if we, or you, feel that you would be better off moving to different accommodation, we will discuss all the options with you.

Everyone's needs are different so the services offered to each individual will be different. Together, we will try to agree on the best way to provide the help that you need.

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Try before you buy

Not everyone is eligible to receive a service, or you may prefer to purchase equipment rather than waiting for an item to become available from our limited supplies.

There is a variety of equipment available to help with everyday tasks. Whilst some items cost only a few pounds, others are very expensive. It is important to find out what is available and, if at all possible, try out before buying. Professional advice from an occupational therapist can help you avoid costly mistakes to your pocket and your health.

Our Occupational Therapy Service now offers a "try before you buy" facility for clients who are ineligible for services but who would like to ensure that equipment will meet their needs before they purchase. You will find this service at:

Occupational Therapy Drop-In Service
Winkfield Resource Centre
33 Winkfield Road
Wood Green
London N22 5RP
Mondays: 2pm - 5pm

The drop-in service also offers assessments for clients whose independence can be maintained with equipment and rails, as well as an occupational therapy advice and information service.

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Where to find us:

Occupational Therapy Services
Unit 5, St George's Estate
White Hart Lane
Wood Green
N22 5QL

Tel 020 8489 1603
Fax 020 8489 1630
Email occupationaltherapy@haringey.gov.uk

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.45am - 5.00pm

Disabled access: Yes

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