Occupational Therapy Services

The Community Occupational and Physiotherapy Teams can provide equipment and adaptations to support you with everyday tasks at home. This can include daily activities such as preparing meals and hot drinks, going to the toilet, washing or dressing yourself, and generally moving around safely within your own home and community.

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Equipment and home adaptation options

Please read the below information carefully. 

While we will provide information and advice, there are adaptations and equipment we cannot provide, and circumstances we may not support. 

If you have any questions, or would like make an enquiry about an adaptation or equipment assessment, call the Community Occupational Therapy Team on 0300 3690 680 and select option 2.

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Adaptations we can and cannot provide

Assessing your home

The Scottish Government requires us to discuss alternative housing options at the earliest possible opportunity. If your home is not going to be suitable to meet your long-term needs, you may need to look at alternative housing as we will not adapt your home. 

If you live in a council house and you wish to move you can contact them to discuss.

We will not adapt your home:

  • If building regulations mean we cannot do this
  • If we cannot find a cost effective solution
  • If you live in a mobile home
  • If you are looking to move home
  • If you move into a home that has been adapted for someone else, we will not remove the adaptation
  • If you don't have basic amenities (e.g. toilets or sinks) we will not provide these
  • If you live in rented accommodation and your landlord can offer you an alternative home that meets your needs
  • If you need alternative heating or alterations to heating systems
Additional rooms and extensions

We do not provide extensions to properties.

Instead we would recommend the following:

  • Moving to a more suitable home
  • Stair lifts
  • Altering existing space - e.g. if you have a downstairs bathroom and dining room you may be able to use this space to create a bedroom.
  • A 'showerloo cubicle' could also offer a solution within a downstairs bedroom space if you do not have a downstairs toilet/bathroom.
Outside your home

We will ensure, where feasible, you have one accessible access into your home.  The homeowner/landlord must give permission for any adaptation and if it is for a communal area we will need permission from the other homeowners/landlords. 

Maintenance, removal and making good of adaptations are the responsibility of the homeowner/landlord.  To request a repair to an East Lothian Council property please contact the Housing Repairs Team.

Paths 

  • We will not provide, repair or replace rails along paths.
  • We will not create a path to access the garden.

Access steps

  • We will not modify steps if you have a medical condition that will deteriorate.
  • We no longer provide external rails but can offer assessment and advice.

Ramp and stairclimbers
We will only fit a ramp if you meet NHS criteria for a wheelchair and if all the main areas of your house are, or can be, wheelchair accessible.

  • We will only fit a ramp at one entrance to your home, at the most cost-effective point.
  • We may recommend a stair climber instead of a ramp - due to steep gradient, lack of space or if the ramp is not cost effective. 
  • We will not provide a stairclimber if we have concerns that you or your carer may not be able to operate or maintain it in the future. 
  • We will not fit a ramp, shelter or charging facility for a battery powered scooter.
  • We will not fit a ramp if you can negotiate steps into your home, on your own, with equipment or with a carer. 

You may need a building warrant to fit or remove a ramp. The homeowner/landlord is responsible for this. 

Information on installing access ramps to your home privately can be downloaded here.

Fencing and gates

  • We will not fit external fences or gates (excluding safe spaces for children).

Driveways
You may be eligible for a Disabled Person's Blue Badge or an Access Protection Marking. 

  • We will create a driveway if you are a driver, you have a Blue Badge and you are unable to walk or self-propel a wheelchair to a car at the kerb.
  • We will create a driveway if you are a passenger, you have a Blue Badge and have a substantial and permanent disability or challenging behaviour that would cause a risk to your safety and your carer is unable to support you safely to and from a car at the kerb.
  • We will drop the kerb as part of creating a driveway. The homeowner/landlord will need permission from road services
  • We will not create a driveway as a way to prevent vandalism, reduce the distance to a car or to ease on-street parking congestion.
  • We will not provide adaptations to cars, car seats or harnesses but can offer advice.

Key safe

Key Safes can be purchased in many local hardware stores or locksmiths or can purchase online. Some Key safe suppliers are ‘police preferred’ so it may be useful to research the one that you feel happier with. The suppliers below are only a few of some recognised retailers that provide these to privately purchase, there are many more online options available at a range of costs: 

  • B&Q
  • Argos
  • Screwfix
  • Amazon
  • Age UK
  • NRS Healthcare

As standard, East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership no longer provide Key Safes.

Important things to consider

  • If you are installing a Key Safe, please consider where it would be best located, for ease of access but also out of vision from the street where possible.
  • It is important to let your home insurer know that you have installed a Key Safe.
  • You must keep your Key Safe code secure and not share it with those who do not routinely require access to support your care needs at home.
  • We strongly recommend that Key Safe codes are changed regularly to ensure appropriate security measures are in place. We also recommend not using a code that is easily guessed i.e., year of birth.

Installation for East Lothian Council Tenants

  • All tenants must first seek permission to have a Key Safe installed. You can seek permission by calling 01875 824 311 or by emailing: permissions@eastlothian.gov.uk. Private installation can then be arranged.

Installation for Housing Association Tenant 

  • If you are a housing association tenant, please contact your housing officer for advice on permissions to install a Key Safe.

Installation for Privately Rented Properties

  • If you privately rent your home, you must seek permission from your landlord. 
  • It should also be noted that the ongoing maintenance and any repair for privately purchased Key Safes is the responsibility of the homeowner/tenant.

Installation for Homeowners

Local support services

There are several other local services who may also be able to support you with sourcing and/or installation of Key Safes:

Useful contacts

Further useful contacts regarding Care or Telecare services and Key Safe provision:

Entry phone and door opening devices

Entry phone and door opening devices 

  • We will fit an entry phone / door opening device if you are alone for long periods of time each day and can not open your door to go out independently using a wheelchair.  
  • A door opening device is a radio controlled device that can unlock, open and close a door.
     
  • We will not fit an entry phone /door opening device if we think you may not be able to use it safely. 
Kitchen

We will modify your kitchen if you use a wheelchair and/or have substantial and permanent mobility problems, and your kitchen is not suitable for your needs. 

Pleaes note: the homeowner/landlord must give permission for any adaptation.  Maintenance, removal and making good of adaptations are the responsibility of the homeowner/landlord. 

To request a repair to a East Lothian Council property please contact the Housing Repairs Team

If you only use the kitchen minimally, we will ensure you can access the kitchen and one work surface.

If you are the main user of the kitchen we will ensure you can access the essential areas required to maintain independence.

  • We will reuse/adapt existing kitchen units where possible.
  • We may fit accessible overhead units if we cannot re-site white goods or utensils lower down.
  • We will only support higher specification devices when all other options have been explored
  • We will not cover the cost of replacing white goods or domestic appliances.
  • We will not adapt a kitchen to manage safety or behavioural needs.
Bathroom

Please note: the homeowner/landlord must give permission for any adaptation. Maintenance, removal and making good of adaptations are the responsibility of the homeowner/landlord.

To request a repair to an East Lothian Council property please contact Housing Repairs Team

Toilet

  • We will provide a toilet seat or frame if it will help you use the toilet safely and independently.
  • We will fit a specialist toilet if you cannot clean yourself after using the toilet, even with the help of a carer or cleaning aids. We will only fit one if an Occupational Therapist has assessed it to be the only appropriate solution.
  • We will explore wash/dry toilet options if you cannot clean yourself after using the toilet, even with the help of a carer or cleaning aids following an assessment by occupational therapist.

Showers and baths 

  • We will provide equipment such as a bath board if this allows you to access your bath/shower safely. 
  • We will fit a wet floor shower only if you have:
    • a bath that you cannot use safely, even with equipment or
    • a shower cubicle that you cannot access, even with equipment or
    • a significant medical or behavioural risk associated with bathing and submersion in water. This must be confirmed in writing by a medical practitioner.
  • We will not fit a bath lift if other equipment meets your needs.
  • We will not fit a wet floor shower in an upstairs bathroom if the rest of your house is unsuitable for your long-term needs. 
  • We will not provide a shower trolley if a standard shower chair is suitable. 
  • We will not fit a specialist bath.

Information on installing a wet floor shower privately can be downloaded here

Stairs

Please note: the homeowner/landlord must give permission for any adaptation and if it is for a communal area we will need permission from the other homeowners/landlords. Maintenance, removal and making good of adaptations are the responsibility of the homeowner/landlord.

To request a repair to an East Lothian Council property please Housing Repairs Team

Bannisters

  • We will replace a banister if there is only one and it does not offer suitable support.
  • We will add a banister on both sides if you need more support.
  • Home owners/landlords should ensure that there is one banister in place. Where a banister has been removed for decorating/aesthetic purposes, we will not replace this

Stairlift or stair climber

  • We will fit a stairlift or provide a stairclimber if you cannot use stairs, even with a walking aid or additional banister or if your carer is at risk when helping you on the stairs.
  • We will fit a stairlift or provide a stairclimber if you can use it safely on your own or with a carer who lives with you (we may fund one formal training session). We may review this and if we have any safety concerns we may remove the stairlift or stairclimber. 
  • We will fit a stairlift if it is an appropriate and cost effective way to access your bedroom and bathroom upstairs. 
  • We will not fit a stairlift if, according to health and safety standards, there is not enough space at the top and the bottom of the stairs for you to safely get on and off the lift, either on your own or with support. 
  • We will not fit a stairlift if you can use rooms downstairs as a bedroom and bathroom.
  • We will not fit a stairlift on a communal stairway. 
  • We will not pay for redecoration or replacing floor coverings, banisters or radiators due to installation or removal of a stairlift or use of a stairclimber. 

Lift

  • We may fit a lift if you cannot use stairs and a stairlift or stairclimber is not suitable.
  • We will fit a lift if you can use it safely on your own or with a carer now and in the future. 
  • We may fit a lift it is an appropriate and cost-effective way to access your bedroom and bathroom upstairs. 
  • We will not fit a lift if, according to health and safety standards, there is not enough space for you to get in and out of the lift, either on your own or with support. 
  • We will not fit a lift if you can use rooms downstairs as a bedroom and bathroom.
  • We will not fit a lift if the property is not fully adaptable according to Housing for Varying Needs standards.

Removing a lift

  • If you own your house or rent it privately we may support you to apply for a Home Improvement Grant to pay for the lift to be installed. The lift will then become the property of the owner and they are responsible to maintain and remove it and redecorate. 
  • If you live in a council property we will remove the lift when it is no longer required. The ceiling and upper floor will be repaired but we will not redecorate the area. 

If you live in a Housing Association property you will need to check their policies about removal and redecoration.

Information on installing a stairlift privately can be downloaded here.

Home security

Please note: maintenance, removal and making good of adaptations are the responsibility of the homeowner/landlord.

Glazing/Glass

  • We will apply a protective film to window or doors if you are at risk due to glass panels.
  • We will replace glass with a different material or reinforce/toughened glass for the minimum number of windows and doors in an area of high risk if your challenging behaviour puts yourself or carers in danger. 

Internal gates (wood/metal)

  • We will fit a gate if you are at risk of wandering into a hazardous area inside your house if safety gates do not meet this need - e.g. near stairs. This will be discussed in context as the least restrictive measure. 
  • We will not provide gates for a child if other children of a similar age would normally require a safety gate for safe supervision. 

Fire/Radiator Guards

Locks 

  • We will not provide locks. 

Cars

  • We will not provide adaptations to cars, car seats or harnesses.

Robust furniture and flooring

  • We will not provide robust furniture or alternative flooring.

Hoists, specialist chairs, and profiling beds

Hoists

  • We will only fit a ceiling track hoist (this is a hoist suspended from a track attached to the ceiling or to a frame) if a mobile hoist or equipment is unsuitable. 
  • We will not fit a ceiling track hoist if there is not enough space to safely do so. There must be sufficient circulation space for carers to safely support as and when required, or for you to complete a safe and independent transfer. 
  • We will service and maintain ceiling track hoists every 6 months for people living in council and privately owned homes.
  • We will not service and maintain ceiling track hoists for people living in housing associations homes.

Specialist chairs

For people who live in a care home please refer to COSLA guidelines for specialist seating.

  • We will provide a specialist chair if you require postural support and require maximum assistance or hoisting to transfer from the chair.
  • We will provide a specialist chair if nursing needs such as pressure care cannot be met using a rise recliner chair.
  • We will not provide a specialist chair for children under 18 months. 

Profiling beds

  • We will provide profiling beds where moving and handling is required from carers and the bed is unsuitable for raising or installing a mattress variator.
  • We will not provide profiling beds when a person is required to live on the ground floor.  Arrangements should be made to bring a single bed downstairs.

Walking aids

If you are having difficult walking either indoors or outdoors, a therapist may recommend the use of an appropriate outdoor walking aid.   

Please note: Walking Aid assistance is provided by the East Lothian Physiotherapy Team

To request assistance please call 0300 369 0680 - option 1 for Physiotherapy

Benefits of using a wheeled walker

  • increased stability and mobility
  • improved confidence to move around independently
  • they have an anti-tup design to reduce the risk of tipping over, trips and falls
  • some walkers that include a seat built into the frame, which provide opportunities to rest while walking

Purchasing a wheeled walker 

Please note East Lothian Rehabilitation Service no longer supplies 3 and 4 wheel outdoor walkers to East Lothian residents.  

If you have been assessed as requiring a walking aid, your therapist will provide information about where equipment can be purchased from via various retailers and online sources.  A list of suppliers is detailed below.

Getting support to pay for a wheeled walker

Your Attendance Allowance / Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can be used to purchase equipment if this is appropriate.

If you are unable to organise purchasing this equipment yourself or you are concerned about insufficient finances to do so these are some of the options that can be considered:

  • Support from Volunteer Centre East Lothian for a volunteer to support you in making an order online and/or applying for financial support (Attendance Allowance/PIP).
  • Citizens Advice Bureau – 01620 824471
  • Financial Inclusion Team within East Lothian Council – 01620 827827
     
Walking Aid Supplier List

Below is a list of suppliers that provide walking aid equipment. 

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Self-selection equipment service

You can request the following range of adaptation equipment for yourself or on behalf of a relative or someone you care for, provided the recipient is an East Lothian resident.   

These rails are provided FREE of charge, and can be requested without the need for a professional assessment. 

  • Grab rails for use within toilets, showers and baths
  • Bannister rails to assist on internal stairs 

Use the form on the linked webpage to request the equipment you are looking for: Online Occupational Therapy Equipment Self-Selection Form