Making Your Home Safer
You may need equipment to help with recovery and to help you adapt to life after stroke. Your occupation therapist (OT) can advise you.
You can also get advice from you local Disability Resource Centre (DRC). They can advise on the equipment that is available form Adult Services, Health and by private purchase.
Disability Resource Centre
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Tel: 01942 700 889 |
For a wide range of advice about home safety see RoSPA – the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
RoSPA
Lighting
Try to get the same level of light in each room as eyes take time to adjust. Pale walls help because they reflect light. Avoid gloss paint because shiny surfaces can dazzle.
Have lights at the top and bottom of stairs, which you can switch off at both ends. Low energy light bulbs are cheaper to run and last longer so won’t need replacing as often. They are more expensive to buy, however.
If your sight is poor, contrasting colours on edges and steps help you avoid tripping and make door surrounds, switches and plugs easier to find.
General Layout
Arrange furniture so you can move around easily. Be careful where you put low objects. Consider buying a cordless phone.
The bathroom door should open outwards - if you fall inside you can be reached more easily. Replace awkward door knobs with easy to grip lever handles.
If you have steps to your front or back door, consider a handrail.
Make sure any rails are fitted properly - some types of wall may need special fittings. Keep routes to the front and back door, fuse box and mains water clear so they are easy to get to.
Electrics
Don’t overload electric sockets - fit double points if you don’t have enough. Don’t have electric flexes trailing across the floor.
Do not use appliances with worn or damaged flexes. Don’t wire flexes together.
If an appliance appears faulty stop using it and have it checked at once.
Smoke
Smoke alarms are a must - around £5. If you can’t hear you can get alarms which flash and vibrate under a pillow (from about £80).
For a free Home Fire Safety Risk Assessment contact Starting Point – you may qualify for a free smoke alarm and fitting.
Starting Point
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Tel: 01942 826 079 Or 01942 825 595 |
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide is know as the silent killer because you can't see it, hear it, smell it or taste it.
What to look out for:
- Boiler pilot light flames burning orange, instead of blue
- Sooty stains on or near appliances
- Excessive condensation in the room
- Coal or wood fires that burn slowly or go out
- Families suffering prolonged flu-like symptoms
A Carbon monoxide detector card will alert you to a blocked flue or faulty gas appliance. The cards cost about £10 and last for a year. This small (credit card-sized) carbon monoxide warning card should be placed in the room go out for an hour or two and check it on return. If the gas is present a small disc in the centre of the card turns grey, then black. Get the faulty appliance serviced immediately! (Equipment costs may vary).
Falls
- Avoid leaving items on the stairs - they can become a tripping hazard.
- Ensure stairs are carefully maintained - damaged or worn carpet should be repaired or removed.
- Try to avoid repetitive carpet patterns that may produce a false perception for those with poor eyesight.
- Landings, stairs and hallways should be well lit with two-way light switches.
- Make sure banisters are sturdy. The fitting of two easy-grip handrails gives more stability.
Floors
Floors should be slip-resistant. If you can, get rid of loose rugs, worn carpet, slippery or uneven surfaces, especially in the bathroom. Avoid rugs on polished floors or fix them in place. Don’t have a loose rug at the top of the stairs.
Stroke Survivors and their carers need to be made aware of:
- The importance of using the right equipment to carry out the task in hand.
- Loss of balance through sudden movements, e.g. getting out of bed or a chair too quickly.
- The danger of slipping and tripping created by worn rugs, slippery floors or paths, uneven surfaces, trailing flexes, and items left lying around.
- Loose or badly worn footwear. Well-fitting shoes can help with balance and stability.
- Grab rails and places to sit down in the bathroom and kitchen could be an advantage if dizzy spells occur.
- Spills on the floor should be cleaned up immediately to prevent slipping on them.
Some home improvement agencies may be able to help with the installation of equipment- also see:
Starting Point – Age Concern - Opening hours 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday
Starting Point can also put you in touch with a number of local reputable companies and people who offer services at a reasonable charge:
- cleaning services
- shopping services
- foot and nail care
- handymen
- lunch clubs
- companies that provide or prepare meals
- joiners, plumbers, electricians, plasterers, tilers
- painters and decorators
- gardeners
- benefit information and advice
- cleaning
- laundry services - washing and ironing
- hairdressers
- dog walking
- befriending
- personal care
- home security
- and many others…
If you would prefer, someone from Starting Point can visit you at home to discuss your needs in more detail.
Help The Aged – For information fact sheets
Calling For Help
Emergency alarm systems use your telephone line to call for help in an emergency. All you do is press a button which you wear or carry. Local authorities often provide these at low cost - contact your adult services or housing department. If you want to buy privately see Ricability’s guide Calling for help – a guide to community alarms.
Who should I contact if my stroke affects my housing needs?
There are Departments of the local authority (council) which could help you. You can register with the Housing Department and could get immediate attention by registering as technically “homeless” if your property has become unsuitable for you. (Applies to council tenants only).
Housing Department
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Tel: 01942 705 040 |
Grants for any adaptations may be obtained from the Council’s Adult Services Department. Your local Adult Services Department can arrange for an assessment of your needs if you request one.
Adult Services Department – Central Duty Team
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Tel: 01942 828 777 |
What financial help is available?
You may be eligible for Housing Benefit (see Benefits) or for a Disabled Facilities Grant. This is financial assistance for disabled people who need to adapt their home in order to carry on living there. This is means-tested and you may have to contribute towards the cost of the adaptations needed.
Disabled Facilities Grant is available for adaptations to a home (e.g. access ramps, ceiling-track hoists, house extensions, levelaccess showers, polyflor showers, stairlifts, through-floor lifts), where an occupational therapist has assessed a disabled person as being in need.
Assistance is in the form of a means-tested grant of up to £30,000. The disabled person must intend to occupy the home for five years from the completion of the works.
For owner occupiers, the amount of grant over £5,000 (excluding fees) is repayable if the home is disposed of within ten years of the completion of the works, subject to a maximum repayment of £10,000. (The value of all grants may be subject to change)
Contact the Disabilities Resource Centre for further details
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Disability Resource Centre
Laithwaite Road
Newton
Wigan
WN5 9RX |
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Tel: 01942 700 889 |
Fax: 01942 766 595 |
| Minicom: 766997 |
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Email: ssddrc@wigan.gov.uk
(Include your full name, address, postcode and contact number in your email) |
Occupational Therapists based at your local Disabilities Resource Centre can advise, (see above)
Disabled Living Foundation (DLF)
An organisation that helps older and disabled people find equipment solutions that enable them to lead independent lives general advice on topics such as features to look for when choosing items of equipment.
DLF - Opening hours 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday
Small pieces of equipment, minor adaptations and wheelchairs etc can be purchased from high street chemists and mobility shops.
Warm Front
Warm Front – Government grants up to £2700 to provide a warmer, safer and energy efficient home (grant value may be subject to change)
Grant is dependent on applicant being in receipt of certain benefits.
Helps to cover Central Heating, Replacement Gas Boiler, Gas Wall Heater, Loft Insulation, Cavity Wall Insulation, Draught Insulation.
Warm Front Team
Security
Secure door locks are a must. You may also need window locks or a burglar alarm system.
Community Safety Teams give advice on ways of making your home secure.
Community Safety Teams
Neighbourhood Police Teams
To report a crime ring:
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Tel: 0161 872 5050 – Crime reporting only |
| Tel: 999 for emergencies only |
| Tel: 0800 555 111 - Crimestoppers |
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Website: www.gmp.police.uk |
To report a local problem
Please note that these numbers are for local problems such as anti-social behaviour; they are not for reporting a crime.
Neighbourhood Police Offices
Crime Reduction Advisor (For advice on home security)
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Tel: 0161 856 7320 |
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