Alzheimer's Society

There are many different types of equipment that may enable people with dementia to remain independent for longer or make it easier for others to give support. Of course, each person is very different. What may be useful for one person at a particular stage may not be appropriate for another, so if you are looking for equipment to help, do seek advice.

Where to get advice

If you are considering getting equipment for yourself, or someone you know, seek advice from professionals as soon as possible − particularly when considering acquiring any major piece of equipment.

• An occupational therapist (OT) can advise on equipment and useful strategies to help someone with dementia with everyday activities, such as washing and dressing. As the dementia progresses, they can advise on appropriate ways to cope with the changes. OTs work in health and social services, and in the independent sector. You can contact an OT through the GP or hospital consultant, through social services or, for independent OTs, contact the College of Occupational Therapists (see 'Useful organisations').
• A chartered physiotherapist can advise on mobility aids, such as walking frames and wheelchairs, and on safe ways of helping someone with dementia to move. If someone attends hospital, they can ask to speak to a physiotherapist based there. Otherwise, ask the GP for a referral to a hospital physiotherapy department.
• A district nurse can advise on the kind of equipment needed for nursing someone at home. Contact the district nurse through your GP surgery or health centre.
• A continence adviser can advise on problems relating to incontinence and give information on a range of aids. Most areas have a continence adviser. Ask your GP.

Types of equipment to consider

There are a number of items that may help with a range of difficulties associated with dementia. They include:

• memory aids, such as clocks with large faces or notice boards for messages
• equipment for washing and for using the toilet, such as bath seats or raised toilet seats
• equipment for eating and drinking, such as specially adapted cutlery or non-spill cups
• mobility aids, including walking frames and wheelchairs
• safety devices, such as gas detectors and water-level alerts
• equipment to help the person take medication, such as boxes with a pill compartment for each day of the week
• nursing equipment, including bedpans or pressure relief mattresses
• assistive technology − devices or systems to reduce risk and help with various tasks (see Factsheet 437, Assistive technology).

Equipment is not always the answer. It may be enough to make small changes in the way that daily activities are organised.

Where to get equipment

Equipment may be available through health or social services, or through shops and other specialised sources.

What social services can provide

Social services departments are sometimes able to provide equipment to help with everyday activities around the home − arrangements vary from area to area. This equipment may include raised toilet seats, grab rails, adapted cutlery and special chairs. There may be a charge, so make sure you ask first.

First, social services will carry out an assessment to decide whether the person needs equipment. This assessment will normally be done by an occupational therapist (see above). Anyone with a diagnosis of dementia is entitled to an assessment under the NHS and Community Care Act 1990.

If the wait for an assessment or for equipment is longer than seems reasonable, use the social services' complaints procedure. Social services will explain how to do this.

What the NHS can provide

The NHS can provide equipment to aid mobility, such as walking sticks, walking frames and wheelchairs, on long-term loans. You can arrange this through the GP, hospital consultant or physiotherapist. There is no charge for equipment, but there may be a returnable deposit.

Wheelchairs, which are available from your local wheelchair service, are usually standard models although some health authorities offer voucher schemes towards the cost of a more expensive wheelchair. Ask your wheelchair service about this. The NHS will pay for servicing and repairs, as long as these are not due to misuse or neglect.

Equipment needed for nursing someone at home, such as bedpans, pressure relief mattresses or hoists, should be available on free loan from your community health service. The district nurse will assess the need for such equipment.

If you have a complaint about equipment, contact your local health authority or trust.

Buying privately

If the equipment you want is not available from health or social services, or if the wait is too long, you may wish to buy privately. Before buying, try to see the equipment and seek professional advice.

Ask yourself (or, if it is not for you, the person who will be using the equipment) the following questions:

• Is it easy to use?
• Are spare parts easily obtainable? Are they expensive?
• Does the equipment need regular servicing? Who pays for this?
• Is it safe? Equipment tested and approved by the British Standards Institution will have the BSI kitemark or safety mark. You may also see a CE mark on some products. This means they conform to European safety standards.

If you are buying equipment specially designed to help with disability, such as a wheelchair, it should be exempt from VAT. Ask before buying.

You can buy equipment from many different sources − for example:

• Many suppliers run mail order services.
• Some items may be available from local shops, such as pharmacists.
• Sometimes the best 'equipment' may be a simple household item from an ordinary shop, such as a noticeboard for reminders or Velcro fastenings for clothes.

If you are not happy with the equipment you have bought, get in touch with the shop or supplier as quickly as possible to see if they can arrange to exchange the item or offer a refund.

Hiring equipment

If you only need equipment on a short-term basis it may be worth considering hiring it. Your local British Red Cross centre may hire or lend wheelchairs and other items. Alternatively, you may be able to hire the item from a specialist hire company or from the manufacturer or supplier. Ask the Disabled Living Foundation or your nearest disabled living centre for details. (See 'Useful organisations' for contact details).

Tips: introducing new equipment to someone with dementia

• People with dementia may find it harder to learn new skills or adjust to new ways of doing things owing to gradual loss of memory or other abilities such as concentration. It is helpful if any equipment that involves learning can be introduced at an early stage in the illness.
• Dementia in the later stages may lead to unsteadiness in walking and loss of co-ordination. If this happens, seek professional advice on what equipment will be most helpful.
• Many people with dementia have other disabilities, such as problems with sight or hearing, which may add to their difficulties. In this case, you will need professional advice from someone who understands dementia about the most appropriate equipment for these disabilities.

Your local Alzheimer's Society branch will always be willing to talk to you and offer advice and information to support your needs.

For more information, Dementia catalogue, our specialist dementia information resource, is available on the website at alzheimers.org.uk/dementiacatalogue

Useful organisations

Age Concern England

Freepost SWB 30375
Ashburton
Devon TQ13 7ZZ
T 0800 00 99 66 (free helpline every day 8am-7pm)
E use the enquiry form on the website (see below)
W http://www.ace.org.uk/

Provides advice and information for older people in England, including a free factsheet entitled Disability equipment and how to get it.

Age Concern Cymru

Ty John Pathy
13-14 Neptune Court
Vanguard Way
Cardiff CF24 5PJ
T 029 2041 3555
E enquiries@accymru.org.uk
W http://www.accymru.org.uk/

Provides advice and information for older people in Wales.

Alzheimer's Society

Devon House
58 St Katharine's Way
London E1W 1JX
T 020 7423 3500
   0845 300 0336 (helpline open 8.30am-6.30pm weekdays)
E info@alzheimers.org.uk (general information)
   helpline@alzheimers.org.uk (helpline)
W alzheimers.org.uk

The UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and those who care for them. The helpline provides information, support, guidance and referrals to other appropriate organisations.

Anchor Staying Put

Burnbank House
Balliol Business Park
Benton Lane
Longbenton
Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE12 8EW
T 0191 270 6069
E ann.young@anchor.org.uk
W http://www.stayingput.org.uk/

Provides a service to older and disabled homeowners across England, helping them with repairs, adaptations and improvements so that they can remain in safety, security and warmth.

Assistive Technologies for People with Dementia (AT Dementia)

Trent Dementia Services Development Centre
9 Newarke Street
Leicester LE1 5SN
T 0116 257 5017
E info@trentdsdc.org.uk
W http://www.atdementia.org.uk/

A web-based information resource on assistive technologies for people with dementia. In addition to general information the website contains a database of available technologies that may be appropriate for people with dementia.

British Red Cross

44 Moorfields
London EC2Y 9AL
T 0844 871 11 11
E information@redcross.org.uk
W http://www.redcross.org.uk/

Offers a range of services − including care in the home and transport assistance − to help those with health issues lead a full life.

College of Occupational Therapists

106-114 Borough High Street
Southwark
London SE1 1LB
T 020 7357 6480
E info@cot.co.uk
W http://www.cot.co.uk/

Provides details of independent occupational therapists in your local area.

DIAL UK (Disablement Information and Advice Line)

St Catherine's
Tickhill Road
Doncaster DN4 8QN
T 01302 310123
E enquiries@dialuk.org.uk
W dialuk.org.uk

Network of over 140 local groups throughout the UK providing information on a range of issues connected with disability, including equipment. DIAL centres are run by people with personal experience of disability, and most advice workers are volunteers.

Disabled Living Centres Council

Redbank House
4 St Chad's Street
Cheetham
Manchester M8 8QA
T 0161 834 1044
E dlcc@dlcc.org.uk
W http://www.dlcc.org.uk/

Runs a number of disabled and independent living centres throughout the country, providing advice and information on a range of equipment. Some centres will also display and demonstrate equipment.

Disabled Living Foundation

380-384 Harrow Road
London
W9 2HU
T 0845 130 9177 (10am-4pm weekdays)
E advice@dlf.org.uk
W www.dlf.org.uk/links/suppliers.html

Provides information about finding some simple solutions, such as mobility aids. You can also arrange to visit the DLF centre to look at equipment and talk to staff.

Home Improvement Agencies

Home improvement agencies, also known by names such as Care and Repair or Staying Put, offer free advice and information to older and disabled homeowners who want to stay in their own homes but may need specialist equipment or adaptations in order to do so. There are over 200 home improvement agencies at present. To find out if there is one within your local authority, contact the following organisations:

England
Foundations
T 01457 891 909
E foundations@cel.co.uk
W http://www.foundations.uk.com/

Wales
Care and Repair Cymru
T 029 2057 6286
E enquiries@careandrepair.org.uk
W http://www.careandrepair.org.uk/

Northern Ireland
Staying Put Department
Fold Housing Trust
T 028 9042 8314
E stayingput@foldgroup.co.uk
W http://www.foldgroup.co.uk/

Factsheet 429

Last updated: August 2008
Last reviewed: August 2008

Reviewed by: Jackie Pool, DipCOT, Managing Director, JPA Ltd, with the College of Occupational Therapists specialist sections for housing and older people.