Adaptations

Currently, within East Lothian, there are Private Sector Housing Grants available from East Lothian Council for adaptations such as wet floor showers, stairlifts and ramps for wheelchair users.

There is a process to be followed and this starts with an assessment of needs and mobility which is carried out by an Occupational Therapist (OT).  You can self refer for an assessment by contacting the East Lothian Council's Request for Assistance on 0300 3690 680 or e-mail them on communityaccess@eastlothian.gov.uk.

Please note that grants will not be approved retrospectively - if you start the work before a grant application has been approved in writing, East Lothian Council will not be able to award the grant.

There is currently a minimum 80% grant available from East Lothian Council for those whose needs have been assessed by the OT as meeting the criteria for the adaptation.

Further information about "Funding Adaptations to the Home"

Once the need for an adaptation has been agreed, the OT will pass your referral to Care & Repair East Lothian and we can then assist you with all that is required to see the adaptation through from start to finish.

One of our Care & Repair Officers will visit you to discuss the adaptation process and answer any questions you may have.

The type of support we offer includes assisting you with:

1. the appointment of an Architect/Architectural Technologist, if required
2. the completion of the grant application form
3. the appointment of a contractor through the required tendering process

Bathroom Adaptations

If you are finding it difficult to get in and out of the bath or shower, an Occupational Therapist (OT) can carry out an assessment with you.  They will explore a range of options to best suit your needs and, if required, may recommend that your bathroom be adapted to provide a wet floor shower area.

When we receive a referral for a bathroom adaptation we will contact you to arrange a visit from one of our Care & Repair Officers to explain the process.  Once you are happy to proceed, we will arrange a joint visit to your home with an OT and an Architect/Architectural Technologist.  They will discuss and agree with you the best layout and design of the proposed wet floor shower.  Drawings will be prepared and these will be agreed by you and the OT prior to the tendering process to appoint a contractor.   We will keep you informed of progress at every stage.

Once tenders are received, we will assist with completing application forms for grant-funding from East Lothian Council and, if required, additional funding from charitable organisations.

Once funding is confirmed, a contractor will be appointed by you and we will introduce the contractor to you, explain how and when the work will be carried out and you will have the opportunity to choose wall and flooring colours from a range of samples.

Stairlifts

If you are having difficulty managing to get up and down the stairs, an Occupational Therapist (OT) can carry out an assessment with you. They will explore a range of options to best suit your needs, including additional bannisters, and in the most difficult situations may recommend the installation of a stairlift.

If you have a straight staircase and meet the criteria, your OT will help you with the provision of a stairlift.

If, however, you have stairs that curve round or have a landing midway, a curved stairlift would be required which may be eligible for a grant from East Lothian Council.  A curved stairlift needs to be designed and manufactured to the specific dimensions of your staircase.  Your OT and the stairlift manufacturer will discuss with you the best design.  The stairlift normally takes approximately 4 – 6 weeks to manufacture.  Care & Repair can assist you with the grant application and, if appropriate, identify other possible charitable funding.

Ramps

If you are experiencing difficulties in accessing your home because of a step or steep access, an Occupational Therapist (OT) may be able to assist you.  They will undertake an assessment of what is needed to help you and may offer either a temporary ramp or a permanent ramp.  They will also look at other aids such as handrails or changes to the stair tread.  Please note that East Lothian Council will only consider ramps for wheelchair users.

If it is agreed that you will need a permanent ramp, this may be eligible for grant assistance.  Care & Repair can help you to organise the work and assist with applying to East Lothian Council for a grant and, if appropriate, identify other possible charitable funding.

To arrange an OT assessment please contact East Lothian Council's Request for Assistance on 0300 3690 680 or email them on communityaccess@eastlothian.gov.uk.