Home Adaptations make a home environment safer and more comfortable, meaning that your elderly relative is able to remain living independently for longer. To read more about making a home as safe as it can be, read our article on Safer Independent Living in Hampshire.
Home adaptations range in scale a lot and include improvements such as fitting a hand rail or installing a stair lift.
The local council may recommend home adaptations as help following a care needs assessment – this is an evaluation of how much help and care someone needs. If the cost of the proposed changes is under £1000, the council will usually provide and install them for free. Find more information on booking a Care Needs Assessment in Hampshire here.
Getting a Home Assessment in Hampshire
You can have a home assessment carried out by an occupational therapist, who will be able to survey your elderly relative’s home and suggest any equipment or services that could help to keep them living safely and independently. Occupational therapists are specialised in assisting people who have physical, mental or social difficulties as a result of ageing or illness. Health conditions that sometimes result in these difficulties include Arthritis, Dementia, Parkinson’s and Stroke.
An assessment will look into the following areas of mobility around the home:
- access in and out of the home
- getting up and down the stairs
- getting in and out of bed
- using the bathroom
- using the kitchen
- falls prevention around the home
Typical solutions available:
- rails
- stair lifts
- level access shower
- hoisting equipment
- widening doorways
- lowering surfaces
- general advice
To arrange an assessment, you can get in touch with an occupational therapist through your local council using the details provided below. The assessment will normally take place at your relative’s home, but occasionally in a clinic, depending on circumstances.
Hampshire County Council
- Telephone: 0300 555 1386
- Visit Website
Portsmouth City Council
- Telephone: 023 9268 0810
- Visit Website
Southampton City Council
- Telephone: 023 8083 3003
- Visit Website
Isle of Wight Council
- Telephone: 01983 823430
- Visit Website
Grants Available for Larger Home Alterations in Hampshire
Disabled Facilities Grant
A Disabled Facilities Grant is funding from your local council to cover the cost of recommended adaptions following a home assessment by an occupational therapist.
The amount you can receive depends on household income and household savings over £6,000. Anybody who is a homeowner, privately renting or living in a housing association property is eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant. Please note, if your relative is not a homeowner, they must intend to live in the rental property for the next 5 years.
To apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant, you can go through your local city, borough or district council. If you let your occupational therapist know you are applying for funding, they will be able to assist you with this process. In some councils, occupational therapists can apply directly for a Disabled Facilities Grant on your behalf.
In Hampshire and the Isle of Wight there are 14 local councils. You can check your local council by entering your postcode here.
Click on your local council below for information regarding access to a Disabled Facilities Grant in your area. Contact details of council Private Sector Housing team are provided:
Basingstoke & Deane Council
East Hampshire District Council
- Telephone: 01730 266551
- Visit Website
Eastleigh Borough Council
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Fareham Borough Council
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 0300 555 1378
- Visit Website
Gosport Borough Council
- Telephone: 0300 555 1378
- Visit Website
Hart District Council
- Telephone: 01252 774420
- Visit Website
Havant Borough Council
- Telephone: 023 9244 6670
- Visit Website
Isle of Wight Council
- Telephone: 01983 215774
- Visit Website
New Forest District Council
- Telephone: 023 8028 5151
- Visit Website
Portsmouth City Council
- Telephone: 02392 688369
- Visit Website
Rushmoor Borough Council
- Telephone: 01252 398980
- Visit Website
Southampton City Council
- Telephone: 023 8083 3003
- Visit Website
Test Valley Borough Council
- Telephone: 01264 368000
- Visit Website
Winchester City Council
- Telephone: 01962 848 455
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
