A new website, Equipment for You, offering impartial advice to make daily living easier and maximising independence at home is now available to people across Dumfries and Galloway.
The website, commissioned by Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, recommends equipment specific to an individual’s needs that they may wish to buy. This is separate from, and complements, the existing free equipment loan services provided by local Council and NHS that people in the region already use.
Created in partnership with the Disability Living Foundation’s Living Made Easy programme, the website is already being used in several other regions throughout the UK (with variations on its name). The local name for the Dumfries and Galloway version was decided on following the local Public Health Improvement Team spending time with community groups, finding out what would be most helpful to those who might use the website.
Once on the website, after answering a few questions about themselves and their home, an individual is provided with a free personalised report that includes:
- tailored advice written by experts on ways to help with daily activities and staying independent in their home
- a list of equipment, specific to their needs, that they may wish to buy (complementing the existing free equipment loan services)
- information about services and activities in Dumfries and Galloway that may be of interest to them
- an option to save the report and share it with family, friends and care workers
Examples of equipment that individuals can be advised to use and buy via the website are automatic pill dispensers, reminder clocks, kettle tippers and walking aids.
Dyfrig Hywel, Health and Wellbeing Coordinator NHS D&G, said: “After months of working with DLF Shaw Trust, our partners Dumfries and Galloway Council, and local community groups I’m really pleased to see the public launch of Equipment for You. The website is a welcome addition to the existing service provision in the region, it’s easy to use and a safe space for advice about equipment that can help people to maximise their independence.”
Anne Fergusson, Senior Occupational Therapist, SW Services D&G Council, said: “We’re delighted to have been involved with the development of this website which is new to the region, and now its launch. It will offer those individuals within our community who currently experience some difficulty with daily living tasks access to professional advice at their own convenience. This can be in addition or as an alternative to existing free equipment loan services they may or may not be using.”
The web address is equipmentforyou.livingmadeeasy.org.uk. The website can also be accessed via the DGHSCP, NHS D&G public websites.
