Social care occupational therapists (often known as OT) can help find solutions to keep you safe and independent in your own home.
An OT can carry out a holistic assessment which looks at your health - both mental and physical and social care needs, in order to suggest a range of solutions.
These might include:
- advice on other ways to manage tasks
- some equipment to help
- a personal alarm system to let people know if you need help
- adaptations to your home
- advice and guidance on suitable housing
The service is available to people of all age groups who are permanent residents of the London Borough of Bromley and who:
- have a permanent and substantial disability
- experience difficulties with everyday activities of daily functioning within their homes
- meet our eligibility criteria for those who are seeking help from social services
Equipment, adaptations and telecare
To help you continue living independently at home, it may be necessary to make adaptations to your home or use more specialised equipment.
Assessment of your equipment needs
Equipment may be recommended, or provided on loan, to maintain your safety and independence within the home.
A referral can be made to the occupational therapy service by calling 020 8461 7777 or emailing AdultSocialCare@bromley.gov.uk.
An occupational therapist may give you advice over the phone or, when necessary, undertake a home assessment visit. For short-term conditions and rehabilitation, NHS occupational therapists may loan equipment via a GP referral.
You can also find a private occupational therapist through the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. Call 020 7450 2330 or visit the Royal College of Occupational Therapists website
Everyday equipment
Often, people who have a disability, illness or increasing frailty find everyday tasks difficult to manage which means that they struggle to live in their homes for as long as they would like.
To help manage everyday tasks, there is a wide range of equipment that you can buy. These include aids for:
- washing and dressing
- bathing and using the toilet
- making it easier to get in and out of chairs and bed
- kitchen and meal preparation
- getting around the home and
- remembering to take medication
Suppliers of equipment
There are many suppliers who sell these simple aids, and they can provide advice on the best product to meet your needs. Suppliers can be found on the high street, such as pharmacies, mobility or DIY shops, through mail-order catalogues or on the internet.
Where can I get help and advice about equipment?
For advice on equipment and adaptations or to request an assessment with an OT you can complete the self-assessment and we will contact you.
Alternatively, a referral can be made to the occupational therapy service by calling 020 8461 7777 or emailing AdultSocialCare@bromley.gov.uk.
An Independent Living Centre provides a place where you can find out about equipment, adaptations and assistive technology (AT)/telecare - you are able to see and try a range of equipment that is available as well as discuss your needs and further options.
The Bromley Independent Living Centre is located at Astley Day Centre (39 Magpie Hall Ln, Bromley BR2 8ED) and will be available by appointment only whilst we further develop the site to improve accessibility. Please arrange an appointment with your allocated occupational therapist if you have one, or contact our admin support on 0208 461 7985 to arrange an appointment.
Professionals only
As a healthcare professional, you can request occupational therapy using the link below. Once your account has been created, it will save your details for any future referrals.
Returning equipment
If your equipment is on loan to you from NRS, it must not be sold or disposed of. When you no longer require it, please contact NRS to request free collection on 0300 100 0253.
Out of hours
All emergency out of hours call outs are also managed through NRS. For any emergency repairs after 5pm or during weekends and bank holidays for:
- Beds
- Hoists
- Riser/recliner chairs
- Pressure care mattresses
Telephone: 0300 100 0253 for emergency call outs only on the equipment stated.
Adaptations to help you live at home
Assessment of your needs for home adaptations
If your needs cannot be met by simple aids for everyday living, it may be necessary to make adaptations to your home such as;
- ramps for external access
- installing a stairlift
- creating a wet room
These may be either self-funded or via grant funding from Bromley Council.
The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is a means-tested grant (criteria is set nationally) that will pay for property adaptations to support independence. Homeowners, tenants in housing association properties or people with private landlords (with their permission) can apply.
You will have to be assessed by an occupational therapist to be considered for a DFG. Please note that grants cannot be awarded retrospectively once building works have commenced, so it is important to contact the Council prior to starting work.
To request an assessment, contact Bromley Council on 020 8461 7777 or email AdultSocialCare@bromley.gov.uk or complete the self-assessment.
Further information on DFGs can be found at www.gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants
Support for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
People who are deaf and or hard of hearing may face many challenges while living in their homes. Our free service provides advice and solutions, by way of specialist sensory equipment.
We organise home visits to carry out assessments, not only to see how you are managing in your home environment but also to provide personalised support.
We demonstrate and install all equipment that we provide making sure that it is right for you and that you are confident in being able to use it.
- We provide devices that will alert you to the door, or your door entry-system.
- Equipment that will notify you when your telephone is ringing.
- We provide amplified telephones which will enable you to be more confident while communicating over the phone
- Devices that will help you to get more pleasure out of watching television
- Personalised amplifiers that can assist you in hearing, thus improve conversation, especially on a one-to-one basis
- We also make referrals to the London Fire Service for specialist smoke alarms for the deaf and/or hard of hearing. Please ask for more information.
You do not pay a fee for the equipment we provide; it is on loan, we only ask that you keep it in good working order and return it when it is no longer needed.
Please contact adult social care to find out more.
In addition, deafPLUS provide advice and guidance, equipment and deafblind support
deafPLUS currently run regular support/education groups for people who are deaf and/or heard of hearing, including:
- A Hard of Hearing Group every fourth Tuesday of the month, including fully accessible talks for hard of hearing people and hearing aid users.
- A Tinnitus Support Group every other month; This informal group allows people with Tinnitus to socialise with others who understand and share the same experiences. Fully accessible talks are provided here as well.
- An active social media presence, providing information and advertising events in BSL.
- A BSL practice group every Thursday evening, allowing people to socialise with other students and BSL users.
- A free BSL for FUN online class for people with a hearing loss, running once a week for 6 weeks per term, which teaches people how to cope with their lack of hearing using basic signs and gestures.
- A free Lipreading online class for people with a hearing loss, running once a week for 7 weeks, which explains the basics of lipreading to the people who would benefit most.
- Provision of assistive equipment service every Wednesday morning 9.30am to 12pm. Appointment only.
For further information contact deafPLUS
Phone: 020 8315 2550
Text: 07732 449 349
Email: information@deafplus.org
Sight impairment – Kent Association for the Blind (KAB)
The Kent Association for the Blind (KAB) provide services for Bromley residents who are blind / partially sighted.
This includes administering the register of children and adults who have been certified via a hospital eye clinic as sight impaired/severely sight impaired.
The following services are for people over the age of 18 years old:
- Information and advice.
- Provision of equipment based on assessment need e.g. lighting, mobility and kitchen aids
- Daily living skills training
- Mobility training.
- Assistive technology training (e.g. mobile devices, speech and magnification software, apps etc.)
- Social groups and befriending
You can contact KAB to make a referral or refer someone else (with their consent) or simply for advise.
Children’s services are provided by the sensory support service.
Further information
For advice and information about occupational therapy, adaptions and equipment please contact adult social care to arrange an appointment.