Equipment and home adaptations

Equipment and changes to the house (adaptations) can help make things easier for you and the person you look after. 

The healthcare team can tell you what support is available, how to get it and about any costs. 

They may also arrange for the person you look after to work with an occupational therapist (OT). OTs give information, support and equipment to help with everyday tasks.

The OT will assess the person you look after before they go home. They can give expert advice on what might be suitable for you and the person you care for.

They may also arrange for the person you look after to see a physiotherapist (PT). PTs give advice and support on how to help the person you look after with moving around (mobility).

The OT or PT will show you and the person you look after how to use equipment safely. They can also tell you where to position or store it.

A walking stick can help with balance. A physiotherapist (PT) or occupational therapist (OT) can advise you on which type might be best for the person you look after. 

For safety, the stick needs to be the correct height. 

You can get walking sticks that are:

• left or right-handed 
• come with feet, so they stand up by themselves. 

Sometimes the person you look after can borrow a walking stick from the hospital. You may need to pay a deposit. Mobility shops and websites also sell walking sticks.

Walking frames give more support than a walking stick. It is important that the frame or stick is at the correct height so that it is safe to use.

Walking frames may:

• come with or without wheels
• have seats, trays or baskets attached
• fold down to fit in the boot of a car.

Your PT or OT can advise you on which type of frame is suitable for the person you are looking after.

If the person you look after struggles to walk, you may find a wheelchair helpful when going outdoors and into shops and buildings. 

Your PT or OT may advise you on whether to borrow, rent or buy one. It might depend on: 

• how long they might need it 
• how often it will be used 
• whether it is for indoors or outdoors. 

If they need a wheelchair for a short time, your local Red Cross shop may be able to lend you one. Shopping centres often have ShopMobility schemes to use while you are there.  

A mobility scooter can be useful for covering longer distances. They can often be folded to fit in the boot of a car. They can be expensive. You may want to think about:

• how often the person you look after will need it 
• whether it will go on the road as well as the pavement
• where you might keep it
• the care and maintenance costs. 

A PT or OT may give advice to help you decide.

A raised toilet seat may make going to the toilet safer and more comfortable for the person you look after. 

If they find getting to the toilet difficult, you might want to think about having a urine bottle by the bed, or a commode. 

A commode is a chair with a toilet bowl hidden underneath. The person you look after can keep it close by. If they worry about getting to the toilet at night, it may be useful to keep in their bedroom. 

Equipment to make bathing safer includes: 

• handrails in the bathroom 
• slip mats 
• shower seats. 

There is also equipment to help with putting on underwear, socks, tights and shoes.

If the person you look after spends a lot of time in bed, it is important they are comfortable. The district nurse can arrange:

• a pressure-relieving mattress
• an adjustable bed rest
• blocks to make a bed higher – these are called bed raisers
• a hospital bed at home. 

Ask the person you look after what could make them comfortable. They may need to try different sitting or sleeping positions. Using lots of pillows can help. For example, V-shaped pillows can relieve pressure on the back. 

If their arms or legs are swollen, you can use extra pillows to support them and help reduce the swelling. District nurses can usually provide a pressure-relieving cushion.

An OT or PT can give you advice on the main chair that the person uses. They may be able to provide furniture raisers to make chairs higher and easier to get in and out of. They might be able to provide a more suitable chair, such as a recliner. 

If the person you are caring for has breathing problems, the district nurses or palliative care team can arrange equipment to use at home. 

This may include an oxygen cylinder or a nebuliser. A nebuliser gives medicine as a vapour to inhale.

If the person you look after needs more care or is coming home from hospital, you may want to organise their room for them. 

Here are some tips:

• Ask them which room they would like to have – they might prefer to be near the bathroom.
• If possible, position the furniture so that you can get to each side of the bed safely.
• Leave things within reach for them.
• Ask which of their things they would like in their room – for example, their computer or tablet, or special ornaments and photos.

Technology can help people living with cancer to be more independent. It can also reassure you both.

Carers UK has information about the following types of technology that can help you and the person you look after: 

Some adult social care departments may have a technology team that can offer advice and tell you about any costs involved.

Mobile apps can also be useful. You can download them from the app store onto your phone. The Carers UK app Jointly can help co-ordinate care between several people.