What equipment could help?
Many people can continue to live safely at home by using specialised equipment. This can maintain your independence and delay or prevent the need for social care.
You can find examples of equipment that could help you below.
Preparing and cooking food
- Kettle tippers and lightweight kettles
- Bottle, jar and tin openers
- Utensils with large, long, weighted or curved grips
Getting dressed
- Button hookers, dressing sticks and zip pullers
- Aids to help you put on your socks and stockings
- Long-handled shoe horns to make it easier to get your shoes on and off
Washing and cleaning
- Tap turners, lever taps and automatic taps can help if you have problems with your grip
- Bath board, bath seat or bath lift can make it easier and safer to use the bath
- Shower boards and swivel seats to help you get in and out of the bath
Using the toilet
- Raised toilet seats and toilet rails can make it easier to get on or off the toilet
- Long handed bottom wipers can help you clean yourself after going to the toilet
- Waterproof bedding and mattresses can help manage incontinence
Find out what equipment you need
Visit Living Made Easy to search for independent living equipment.
Paying for equipment
You and your family may be able to pay for any equipment you need privately.
Arranging equipment yourself may be quicker and give you more choice and control.
You may be able to find the equipment you need from:
Suffolk County Council may be able to help if you're not sure what to buy or need financial support. However, there will be limits to what we can do.
Technology and adaptations
You can read more on suffolk.gov.uk about:
If you have more complex needs
You may need help beyond equipment, technology or adaptations to your home, such as social care support.
If you think you need more support, the first step is to self-assess your care and support needs on our website.
The result of the self-assessment will tell you:
- if you'd benefit from a full assessment of your needs
- how to request social care support
Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to a care and support assessment from the council. This would tell us how we could best support you to live as healthily, independently and safely as possible.
