Useful equipment to help you manage at home

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    Small pieces of equipment or aids can make life easier. Helping you carry out tasks at home or when out and about. You can buy items from high street shops specialist shops or the internet.

    Equipment can help with tasks that are difficult because of illness, disability, or recovery from treatment. They can help you to:

    • pick things up from the floor
    • open doors, locks, bottles, jars and packets
    • get washed and dressed
    • remind you to take medication
    • cook food, eat and drink

    Are you finding it harder to manage at home?

    Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council give information, signposting and support to adults in Newcastle who are struggling at home with day to day activities. This could be anything from moving around your home, activities of daily living or caring for someone. Call them to find out more about help that’s available for you or your carer.

    Things to think about before buying equipment

    You don’t want to waste money by buying something that doesn’t fit you or your home. Before buying make sure you:

    1. Check the product is suitable for you, your home and your existing furniture or fittings such as taps
    2. Read carefully the description of the item
    3. Check the size, height and measurement of the item.
    4. Make sure the item will fit securely and do the job you need it to.
    5. Check that someone can help you to fit the equipment. For example, lifting your bed to fit raisers.
    6. Look at the items in different catalogues. Make sure you’re happy with the price and quality of the item
    7. Check the returns policy. Can you return it if it doesn’t suit your needs?
    8. Look for customer reviews online or buy from a trusted provider
    9. Check that the items can be delivered to your home if needed.
    10. Get advice to help you find the right items for you. There are services in Newcastle that can help you find the right equipment for you.

    Home adaptations equipment and aids has more information about where you can loan or buy second hand equipment. There is also information on how to make larger changes to your home such as installing a stairlift or walk in shower.

    Personal alarms, telehealth and telecare can help you to live at home safely. Giving you peace of mind that you can call for help in an emergency and make sure you take medication.

    Most frequently used equipment and aids

    There are hundreds of products to choose from. There are high street and online shops where you can easily buy some small items to help you.

    Please note the quality of products and price can vary.

    Please note the equipment, companies or catalogues listed on this page are for information only. InformationNOW is not responsible for the content of other websites.  Make sure that the equipment suits you and your home before buying anything. You can get advice from Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council.

    1. Bed stick frame

    The frame is fitted to your bed and placed under your mattress. You can use the handles to help you move in bed and to get in and out of bed.

    2. Bed table

    A table on wheels that you can use over your bed. This can be used to help you eat, read or store things so you can reach them easily. Bed tables are usually adjustable so you can change the height and move it easily. They may have wheel lock to stop the table rolling away.

    3. Commode or portable toilet

    A commode chair is a portable chair that comes with a built-in toilet. This aid usually has a removable pan that needs to be emptied manually after every use. Helpful when you cannot get to the toilet for example if your bathroom is upstairs. Please note that you, or a carer will need to empty the commode into a toilet.

    4. Toilet seat raiser

    A raiser can be fitted to lift your toilet seat. Or a frame with a higher level toilet seat can be placed over your toilet. It makes it easier to get on and off the toilet as you sit higher on the toilet. Raisers usually have hand rails to help you stay steady. This may also be known as a toilet seat riser. Please check that your toilet will fit a toilet raiser before buying one.

    5. Grabber, long handled reacher or helping hand

    A grabber is useful when you can’t bend to pick small lightweight things up from the floor, or further away from you. Use the trigger to close the grabber so you can reach things you wouldn’t normally be able to.

    6. Jar and bottle openers

    Finding it hard to grip and pop open jars, cans or bottles? There’s a range of gadgets that can help you hold and open different sizes. These openers are often made of silicone or plastic to help you grip and have some shock resistance if dropped

    7. Key turner

    A key turner makes it easier to grip and turn household keys. Key turners are helpful for people with arthritis, pain in fingers and hands or weak hand and grip strength.  They are also known as key gripper, key handle for arthritis, key thumb turn or arthritis key. There are lots of options for different types of keys. You can get a single key turner or one that can hold a number of keys together.

    8. Bed or chair raiser

    You can use raisers to lift your furniture so it is easier to get in and out of bed, chairs or sofa. There are different types of raisers to fit the feet of your furniture. For example they may be blocks of wood, rubber or plastic that you can put under your furniture which creates a stable base. This means you can continue to use your furniture without buying specialist equipment. It can help to save you money. They can be removed without damaging your furniture.

    9. One cup kettle and hot water dispensers

    A one cup kettle fills your cup with enough hot water for one cup of tea or coffee at the press of a button or switch.This is useful if you’re having problems gripping and lifting things, moving around or seeing well – as you don’t need to lift a heavy kettle full of boiling hot water.

    10. Perching stool

    A perching stool supports you so you can carry out tasks at home, like cooking or getting dressed. The height of the stool can changed, so you can sit at and use your kitchen surfaces easily without having to stand for a long time. The stool can have arms to help you stand up and may have a backrest. You can get a waterproof stool to use in the shower.

    11. Long handle loofah, sponges and cleaning brushes.

    A simple sponge on a long handle can help you clean your back, legs and feet in the bath or shower. This is great for people who struggle to bend or may need to sit down when getting washed.

    12. Support pillow or back rest

    A support pillow can help you to sit up in bed to, read, watch TV, eat and drink. They can be used to prop you up and support your body more comfortably when resting or sleeping. There are different shape pillows to choose from such as a wedge or V shaped pillow. Some pillows are made of solid foam to provide firm support. They can be covered in waterproof material so they can be cleaned easily.

    13. Tap turner

    Tap turners can be clipped over your existing tap to make it easier to turn the tap on and off. This is helpful for people with weak grip, finger or hand pain, or conditions such as arthritis. You need to choose the right style of turner for your taps, such as cross head, crystal or capstan. Colour coded turners are useful so you can see which tap is hot or cold.

    14. Walking frames and rollators

    A walker or walking frame helps you to walk. They can reduce the risk of having a fall. They’re helpful when you have problems moving around, pain in your legs or feet or need support to walk. Different types of walkers are available. Some have seats attached so you can use it as a seat, when you need a rest. You will need to choose a walker that is the right size for you. Walkers usually have rubber stoppers (ferrules) on the ends of the legs to stop them slipping. These wear down over time and need to be replaced.

    15. Walking stick

    A walking stick or walking cane helps you to walk. It can reduce the risk of having a fall. There are different types of walking sticks available depending on your needs. If you need extra stability a walking stick with 3 or 4 feet can help. Walking sticks usually have rubber stoppers (ferrules) on the ends of the legs to stop them slipping. These wear down over time and need to be replaced.

    16. Tactile sensory or bump dots

    Bump dots make it easier for people who are visually impaired or with low vision to, feel, find and use buttons or switches, and can be stuck onto household items. They are often used on computer keyboards, telephone keypads, kitchen equipment and many switches. Clear dots can be used so you can still see the markings on the buttons. Black dots are easier to see when placed on a white or light background. Bright coloured dots are easier to see on patterned or darker backgrounds.

    17. Personal alarms and telecare

    Telecare, telehealth and personal alarms can help you to live well at home. Giving you and the people who care for you confidence and peace of mind that you are safe. There is lots of equipment that can help you:

    • call for help in an emergency
    • remember to take medication or switch off appliances
    • lock doors
    • get help if you have a fall or a flood

    Ostara provides a 24 hour response and support service, so you can live safely and independently in your own home. The system alerts staff so that they can contact you and arrange urgent or emergency help if necessary. They have a range of equipment such as pendant alarms, fall detectors, door sensors and pill reminders.

    Get your personalised equipment report

    Your Equipment Newcastle helps you find and buy equipment to improve your daily living in just 3 steps:

    1. Choose a topic
    2. Answer some questions
    3. Get a personal report and advice from occupational therapists on products that might help

    Your Equipment Newcastle Take control stay independent Newcastle City Council

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Help to buy equipment online

    Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) gives information and advice to help you find the right equipment to suit your needs. They have

    Online shopping

    High street shops sell mobility and living aids. You can see all their products online. They sell a range of equipment such as pill dispensers, walking frames, cutlery and reclining chairs. Some shops may sell smaller items in their stores.

    B&Q sells a range of mobility products that you can order online or buy in store.

    Boots sells a range of living aids. You can order them online.

    Argos sells a range of mobility aids. They have a Wellbeing Telephone Helpline. Telephone 0345 013 0244 Trained staff can give you advice about their assisted living products to find what you need. They can help support you on live chat.

    Superdrug sells a range of mobility and independent living aids that you can buy online. They have a small selection in their shops.

    Lloyds pharmacy has an independent living range of products. You can browse and buy online or order a brochure.

    Borrow equipment

    Newcastle City Loan Equipment Service (NCLES) provides equipment to help with your daily living and nursing needs at home. This is a free service. You borrow equipment for as long as you need it. When it’s no longer needed they will collect the equipment, clean it and reuse it. They install, maintain and repair a wide range of equipment. The equipment available to borrow includes:

    • Toilet seats, frames and commodes
    • Walking sticks, walking frames and standing equipment
    • Pressure relief products
    • Lifting and handling products
    • Specialist beds and seating
    • Bath and shower boards, seats and rails

    To borrow equipment you need to have an assessment. Speak to your:

    You can return your equipment to NCLES when you no longer need it.

    Home adaptations equipment and aids has more information about where you can loan or buy second hand equipment.

    Equipment catalogues online

    Shops where you can see and buy equipment

    Disability North gives information and advice to disabled people, their families and carers. Have a demonstration area where you can see and try out: accessible equipment for the kitchen, bathroom and shower. Stairlifts, walkers, risers, wheelchairs and shoes. They can give you information and advice about the equipment. Book an appointment to try a piece of equipment and make sure it suits your needs before you buy anything. They also have a list of second hand equipment for people looking to sell or buy equipment.

    Peacocks has a shop in Newcastle City Centre which sells mobility, rehabilitation and living aids to help you lead a more independent life.

    Support for Carers

    Looking after someone can be hard work. If you are caring for someone who couldn’t manage without your help, you can get support.

    Newcastle Carers support adults, children and young people who care for someone living in Newcastle upon Tyne. Call their Information Line to talk about your caring role and to find out how they can help you. This is a free, confidential and non-judgmental service.

    Need more advice?

    If you need more help to manage at home or are struggling with washing, dressing, bathing or toileting contact Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council for a chat. They can give you advice about equipment to help you. They may refer you for more help. For example, they can arrange the loan of equipment to help you at home.

    Scope provide information and support to disabled people, families and carers. They have a free disability telephone helpline. They can answer questions and talk you through a wide range of topics connected with disability, such as: equipment and assistive technology, benefits and social care.

    Disclaimer

    Please note the equipment, companies or catalogues listed on this page are for information only. InformationNOW is not responsible for the content of other websites. The services listed on this page are provided by organisations independent to the council to help you find and buy equipment to live independently at home. Before buying any equipment make sure that it is suited to you and your home. You can get advice from Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council. Read InformationNOW’s Terms and Conditions for more details.

    Last updated: July 30, 2024