A range of equipment is available to help make these tasks easier and to maintain independence. If you're caring for someone who is ill or has a disability, equipment can make it easier and safer for you to continue to care for them.
Equipment is available to purchase from the high street, through homeware catalogues or online retailers and it can be delivered straight to your door.
Before you buy or loan any equipment it's worth getting independent advice. This will make sure the type of equipment you're getting meets your needs.
These websites are very helpful:
- AskSara is an easy-to-use way to get personalised product advice - use this to look at ways to help with daily activities in your own home
- Living Made Easy is a service provided by the Disabled Living Foundation that can advise on choosing a wide range of daily living equipment, email: info@dlf.org.uk
- NHS Choices provides a guide to care equipment, aids and adaptations
- Money Helper has guidance about shopping for disability aids and equipment - this includes how and where to shop around for the most suitable product at the cheapest price
- Age UK provides a fact sheet called disability equipment and home adaptations
Local pharmacies and GP surgeries often have information about where to purchase equipment, and if you have a health or social care professional working with you, they will be able to give advice on what equipment may be suitable for you and how to access this equipment.
Buying your own equipment
Whilst we are unable to recommend individual websites and no items displayed have been tested by us, the following list gives an idea of a range of self-purchase options:
Community equipment service
Medequip Assistive Technology is the provider of the Community Equipment Service on our behalf and the NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). Equipment is supplied on a long-term loan basis and should be returned to Medequip when no longer needed.
Returning equipment
If you have already had equipment loaned that you no longer need, Medequip can arrange a free collection, to recycle and help others in need. email derbycustomerservice@medequip-uk.com or tel: 01773 604426, or return it yourself to:
Unit 3 Wimsey Way
Alfreton Trading Estate
DE55 4LS
Opening hours: 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
You can also return the equipment yourself to some of our recycling centres.
Health and social care support
If you're having difficulty with your mobility either inside or outside your home and you feel that you may benefit from a walking aid or wheelchair, your GP or health professional can provide you with information and advice. If appropriate, they can make a referral to physiotherapy or to wheelchair services for an assessment.
If you are unable to find a piece of equipment to help or you are having more difficulty managing at home, we can provide more support.
Contact Call Derbyshire, email contact.centre@derbyshire.gov.uk, tel: 01629 533190 for advice and information about equipment and community services that could support you. More intensive or complex needs that cannot be addressed through Call Derbyshire, will be referred to a local team for further assessment.
Our 'you and your home - equipped for life leaflet' is attached to this page and gives further information about equipment options.