On this page:
What types of equipment are available?
Help with choosing equipment
Personal alarms
Support
Accessible resources

What types of equipment are available?

There is a huge range of equipment and technology available to make everyday life easier. Some examples are:

Bathroom aids

• Grab rails to help you get in and out of the shower or bath
• Non slip mats to help you avoid slipping in the shower or bath
• Bath and shower seats so you can sit down while bathing
• Raised toilet seats and commodes to make going to the loo easier

Dressing aids

• Hooks to help you fasten buttons with one hand or to pull on clothes
• Gadgets to pull up socks, tights and underpants
• Adaptive clothing with easy-to-use fastenings

Furniture

• Electric beds to help you sit up
• Electric chairs to help you stand up

Kitchen aids

• Easy to use tin openers if you have hand weakness
• Kettle tippers to help pour water without lifting the kettle
• Non-slip mats to stop spills while preparing food or eating
• Cutlery with large handles for easy grip

Mobility aids

Including walking sticks and frames, wheelchairs, electric scooters and stair lifts to help you move around.

Making life easier around the home

• Grab rails for inside and outside your home, to help you avoid falls
• Monitoring systems, also known as telecare systems use sensors around your home to detect different activities. They can alert a monitoring centre or your family/carers to problems, such as unusual movement or temperature changes.

Personal alarms

These enable you to call for help easily if you fall or become ill when you're alone. Personal alarm systems (sometimes called community alarms) can help you stay safe at home. They usually link an alarm system to your phone and have a pendant with a button worn around your wrist or neck. In an emergency, you can press the button to call for help. Some can send automatic alerts if you fall, or can use GPS tracking technology to protect you outside your home.

Your local council may be able to provide an alarm, but you might have to pay for the service. You can also get one from a private provider. The consumer organisation Which? has information on different types of alarm and providers.

Telephones

Landlines are available with large buttons and displays to help you use the phone if you have hand dexterity problems and to help you see the display if you have vision problems.

Mobile phones and tablets

Many have accessibility features like voice-activated internet searches. AbilityNet has step-by-step guides on how to use these features. You can also download apps to read text aloud or set reminders.

Digital assistants or smart speakers

Voice-operated smart home devices include Amazon Echo and Google Nest.

You can use your voice to ask these devices to search the internet, set alarms and play music. They can also be used alongside other smart devices to operate home appliances and do tasks like turning on lights and opening curtains.

Smart doorbells

These connect a video camera at your door with your mobile phone, so you can use an app to see and talk to any doorstep callers.

Help with choosing equipment

If you need support at home after a stroke, contact your local council’s adult social services department (or health and social care trust in Northern Ireland). They can arrange a care needs assessment.

An occupational therapist or social worker usually does this assessment at your home. They will look at whether you need any equipment or adaptations in your home, as well as support with care needs. You might also be referred for a separate home assessment.

If you need equipment or minor adaptations like a grab rail, you should get this free through your council, up to the value of £1,000. If the hospital gave you any equipment to use on your return home, this should also be free.

A council can charge for adaptations costing more than £1,000. You may be able to apply for a grant towards the cost. Councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland offer Disabled Facilities Grants to help towards home adaptations like stairlifts. In Scotland, ask your local council about housing adaptations grants.

In Scotland, you can apply to the local authority’s Scheme of Assistance for help with repairing and adapting housing if you have a disability. It can only be arranged after you return from hospital, so some people might need to have a temporary arrangement at home. This could be a bed, armchair, commode and hoist in one room. 

The charity Independence at Home provides grants for equipment and home adaptations for people who cannot afford to pay for them. Visit Independence At Home to find out more.

Buying or hiring equipment

If you’re buying equipment, it’s worth contacting a few different suppliers to get the best price. If you have a disability or serious long-term health condition, you may not have to pay VAT (tax) on certain equipment. The retailer may ask you to complete a form to confirm you’re eligible. The UK Government has more information on VAT relief.

Some suppliers may let you try things before you buy them, or you may be able to hire equipment if you only need it for a short time. The Red Cross hires out wheelchairs. You can call them on 0300 456 1914.

Living Made Easy has resources to help you choose equipment and find where you can buy it. You can call them on 0300 999 0004.

Independent living centres and disabled living centres also provide advice on aids and equipment, with products on show to try out.

Support

Stroke Support Helpline

Our Stroke Support Helpline offers information and support about any aspect of stroke. It is for anyone affected by TIA and stroke, including family, friends and carers.

Call us on 0303 3033 100,from a textphone 18001 0303 3033 100 or email helpline@stroke.org.uk

Resources available

Accessible formats available

The information on this page can be accessed in the following formats:

• Word document
• PDF

• Order a printed copy from our shop.
• To request a braille copy, email feedback@stroke.org.uk

To view all our resources, visit our resources area.