Help at home in Sevenoaks District Amended August 2021 This local information pack covers: a list of support organisations which can make life a little bit easier adapting your home aids and equipment - finding out what you need aids and equipment - where to buy, sell or donate aids and equipment - mobility aids; bath & shower aids; toilet aids; bed, chair & sofa aids; dressing & comfort aids; health & leisure aids; household aids; kitchen & dining aids alarms care at home and support for carers home safety and security Details are subject to change, please check with the organisation concerned. If you cannot find what you are looking for please contact us as we may be able to help further. Amendments and additions are also welcome. We publish other local information packs covering: Care agencies Care homes Health and wellbeing Housing Legal advice and power of attorney Memory loss and dementia Money matters Social activities Transport, travel and leisure Age UK Sevenoaks & Tonbridge is a registered charity no. 1088213 Tel: 01732 454108. Web: www.ageuksevenoaksandtonbridge.org.uk 1 Contents General help - making life a little bit easier .......................................................................... 6 Advocacy ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 Audiologists and hearing loss ........................................................................................................................ 6 Baths and showers ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Befrienders see also Companionship ........................................................................................................... 7 Bills, correspondence and paperwork ........................................................................................................... 8 Chiropodists, podiatrists and toenail cutting ................................................................................................ 8 Companionship see also Befrienders ........................................................................................................... 9 Computer problems .................................................................................................................................... 11 Counselling .................................................................................................................................................. 11 De-cluttering see also Hoarding and House clearance ............................................................................... 11 Dentists ........................................................................................................................................................ 12 Filling in forms ............................................................................................................................................. 12 Fingernail cutting and manicures ................................................................................................................ 12 Gardening .................................................................................................................................................... 12 Getting back on your feet after illness or a stay in hospital ........................................................................ 13 Hairdressers ................................................................................................................................................. 14 Health appointments ................................................................................................................................... 15 Heating breakdown ..................................................................................................................................... 15 Heating systems and boilers ........................................................................................................................ 15 Hoarding see also Decluttering and House clearance ................................................................................ 16 Home library ................................................................................................................................................ 17 House clearance see also Decluttering and Hoarding ................................................................................ 17 Housework and laundry .............................................................................................................................. 18 Information and advice ............................................................................................................................... 19 Massage ....................................................................................................................................................... 19 Meals ........................................................................................................................................................... 19 Medical condition alerts .............................................................................................................................. 20 Medication ................................................................................................................................................... 21 Moving furniture ......................................................................................................................................... 22 Moving home............................................................................................................................................... 22 Opticians and sight loss ............................................................................................................................... 22 Pest Control ................................................................................................................................................. 23 2 Pets .............................................................................................................................................................. 23 Shopping ...................................................................................................................................................... 23 Adapting your home ........................................................................................................... 24 Getting information ..................................................................................................................................... 24 Organising and paying for adaptations ....................................................................................................... 24 What sort of things can you get a grant for? .............................................................................................. 24 Who else can organise or pay for adaptations? .......................................................................................... 25 Handyperson services .................................................................................................................................. 26 Finding tradespeople ................................................................................................................................... 26 Problems with traders ................................................................................................................................. 28 Aids and equipment ........................................................................................................... 28 Finding out what you need and getting assessed ....................................................................................... 28 Getting further information and advice ...................................................................................................... 29 Hiring aids and equipment .......................................................................................................................... 29 Buying aids and equipment ......................................................................................................................... 30 Paying for aids and equipment and VAT for people with disabilities ......................................................... 31 Repairing and servicing aids and equipment............................................................................................... 32 Designing and adapting aids and equipment .............................................................................................. 32 Donating aids and equipment ..................................................................................................................... 32 Selling aids and equipment ......................................................................................................................... 33 Mobility aids ....................................................................................................................... 33 Walking sticks, walkers, zimmer frames and rollators ................................................................................ 34 Crutches ....................................................................................................................................................... 35 Wheelchairs ................................................................................................................................................