Changes to equipment provided for daily living

From April this year the Council will no longer provide items to assist with daily living which cost less than £50.
 
The exception will be items which require safe fitting to prevent falls, items which assist people with a visual impairment or which are essential for personal hygiene.
 
Currently Adult Care provides small pieces of equipment to assist daily living for anyone who approaches the service for this assistance. An assessment is carried out, advice is given, and equipment is ordered, delivered and (where necessary) fitted.
 
In many cases people need only single items of equipment and the processing costs are significantly more than the piece of equipment itself. In other cases the equipment is part of a wider care package, with less processing cost. Because of the large number of people involved there has traditionally been a long waiting time for the provision of the minor, non essential pieces of equipment.
 
The current waiting list dates back to 2008/9.
 
Items provided include bath seats, foam cutlery and back rests.
 
Whilst some people approach the council for the provision of these small items of equipment, many others purchase such items of equipment privately; either using their own funds or non means tested disability related benefits.
 
The report put before Councillors at a Cabinet meeting held tonight (Monday 21 March 2011) read: “This report proposes that the council should cease the provision of most small items to assist daily living, and instead offer advice and information about what equipment is available, and where it can be purchased.”