Free guide: help to manage at home

Ask your council for a free needs assessment

• Anyone can ask for one, for themselves or for someone they know. It is free. Contact adult social services at your local council, by phone or online.
• Someone from the council, such as a social worker or occupational therapist, looks at how you manage everyday things like washing, dressing and cooking. It can be at home, by phone or online.
• Tell them about everything you find hard, even small things. If you leave things out, you may be offered less help.
• It can help to have a friend or relative with you.
• If you do not qualify for help, the council should still give you free advice about support in your area.
• If you disagree with the result, you can complain to the council.

Help that may follow

• Equipment, such as a walking frame or a personal alarm.
• Changes to your home, such as grab rails or a walk-in shower.
• Paid carers who visit you at home.
• Day centres and lunch clubs.
• Equipment and small changes to your home are free if you are assessed as needing them.
• You will usually be asked to pay towards the cost of care. A financial assessment works out whether the council will help pay.

Equipment and changes to your home

• Small things can make a big difference: a raised toilet seat, a non-slip mat in the bath or shower, a grab rail by the bed, or a kettle holder for easier pouring.
• Ask the council for a home assessment. An occupational therapist visits and watches what you find hard. It is free.
• The council should pay for each adaptation that costs less than £1,000, such as grab rails or a small ramp.
• For bigger work, such as a stairlift, a level-access shower or wider doors, you may be able to get a Disabled Facilities Grant from your council. It does not affect your benefits.
• You can often hire equipment first, to see if it suits you before you buy it.

Personal alarms and key safes

• A personal alarm lets you get help if you fall or have a problem at home. You wear it on your wrist or round your neck.
• Some are linked to a monitoring service that answers 24 hours a day. Some have fall detectors.
• A key safe is a small locked box on an outside wall that holds a key. Family, carers or the emergency services can open it with a code if you cannot get to the door.
• Costs vary. Monitored alarms usually have a set-up charge and then a monthly charge. Ask adult social services what your council offers.

Money help

• If you are over State Pension age and need help looking after yourself because of an illness or disability, you may be able to get Attendance Allowance. You do not need to have a carer to claim. Check on GOV.UK. In Scotland it is called Pension Age Disability Payment.
• Getting Attendance Allowance may mean you can also get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.
• If someone cares for you for at least 35 hours a week, they may be able to get Carer's Allowance.

Staying safe and keeping in touch

• Keep floors clear of clutter, loose wires and rugs. Use a non-slip mat in the bath or shower.
• If you think a medicine is affecting your balance, speak to your GP or pharmacist.
• Activities that improve strength and balance, done at least twice a week, help prevent falls. Our free sheet of simple exercises is at mobilephysiotherapist.co.uk/balance-exercises.
• If you feel lonely, keep in touch by phone or video call, or join a local group or class.
• Ask your GP about social prescribing. A link worker can help you find local support and activities.
• Age UK, The Silver Line and Re-engage offer support and befriending.

More free guides

Looking after someone? Our free guide for carers: mobilephysiotherapist.co.uk/carers-guide. Coming home from hospital? Our free hospital checklist: mobilephysiotherapist.co.uk/after-hospital-checklist.

Finding local help

Your council's adult social services can tell you about needs assessments, equipment and help at home. Find your council on GOV.UK.

About this guide

Prepared by Mobile Physiotherapist UK, a team of independent physiotherapists who visit people at home. It is general information, not a personal plan, and it is not issued or approved by the NHS.

• Sources checked: 2 November 2026
• Next review due: November 2027
• Edition: November 2026

Sources

• NHS: Getting a needs assessment
• NHS: Household gadgets and equipment to make life easier
• NHS: Home adaptations
• NHS: Personal alarms, security systems and keysafes
• NHS: Loneliness in older people
• NHS: Falls
• GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance
• GOV.UK: Disabled Facilities Grants
• GOV.UK: Carer's Allowance

Spotted something that needs updating? Email office@mobilephysiotherapist.co.uk.