Equipment  (Aids to Daily Living)

A wide range of equipment  is available either to buy, hire or in certain situations it may be provided free of charge to people with a medical or nursing need. In the first instance do talk to your GP or District Nurse who may be able to arrange for you to borrow equipment free of charge if you require nursing care at home. Through your local Social Services Department it may be possible to arrange for an assessment of your needs by an occupational therapist. 

Short term loan of equipment such as wheelchairs , walking aids, toilet accessories and beds may be arranged through the following organisations:

British Red Cross Society Medical Loan Service 
Local loan depots include:

Windsor 
Telephone: 01753 865444

Maidenhead 
Telephone: 01628 622615

For details of loan depots in Buckinghamshire contact  Buckinghamshire Headquarters 
Telephone: 01296 739300 

Buckinghamshire St John Ambulance Medical Loan Service

St John Ambulance Medical Loan Service,
Buckinghamshire County Headquarters,
Robert Payne Training Centre,
Tindal Road,
Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1HR
Telephone: 01296 423886

If you are thinking about buying equipment do try and obtain professional advice before purchasing  to ensure that it is appropriate for your needs. There are a number of organisations that can help:

Disabled Living Foundation - advice and information on equipment ranging from bath seats and wheelchairs to jar openers and tap turners. 

380 - 384 Harrow Road, 
London, 
W9 2HU
Telephone: 0845 130  9177 Helpline (Monday to Friday 10am - 1pm)
Textphone:  0207 432 8009
www.dlf.org.uk


Disabled Living Centres / Independent Living Exhibitions - provide information and advice on the practical aspects of daily living, demonstrating equipment, facilities and clothing designed to improve every area of life for the older person, people with a disability and those who care for them. Over 500 pieces of equipment on display to view and try. Information held on thousands of other pieces of equipment . Exhibition is staffed by an Occupational Therapist and an Information Officer.

Open Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm (Tuesday and Thursday by appointment only)

Independent Living Exhibition,
Brookside Centre, Station Way, 
Aylesbury, Bucks,
 HP20 2SQ
Telephone: 01296 398616

REMAP - a registered charity which designs and supplies one-off technical aids that help disabled people of all ages to enjoy a better lifestyle. Every aid is given free of charge to the user

Telephone: 0845 1300 456
www.remap.org.uk

Ricability  - An independent charity that researches and publishes unbiased information on products and services to enable elderly and disabled people to live more independently. Publications give practical information and advice about wide range of subjects from choosing a toaster to choosing a car.

Ricability, 
30 Angel Gate, 
City Road, London, 
EC1V 2PT
Tel. 020 7427 2460 
Minicom 020 7427 2469
www.ricability.org.uk

Stockists of Daily Living Equipment include:

Keep Able  - Specialist equipment retailer – product range includes seating, beds, mobility aids, stair lifts, aids for bathing and for daily living.  Professional advice is available and home visits can be arranged.  Free mail order catalogue available.

Keep Able,
11 – 17 Kingston Road,
Staines, Middx,
TW18 4QX
Telephone: 01784 440055

Nightingale Medical - large showroom with wide range of daily living equipment and mobility aids for sale or hire.

34 Eastfield Road, 
Burnham, Bucks
SL1 7PE
Telephone: 0800 015 4004 (Freephone) or  01628 668660 

Local Pharmacists sell some equipment . See Local Health Services Local pharmacists

Click for link to Burnham Information & Access Directory for details of local businesses


Help with using telephone, gas and electrical appliances

Telephone – British Telecom has a comprehensive guide "BT Services for Older or Disabled Customers" which has details of equipment and services available to people who have difficulty using a telephone because of hearing, speech, sight or mobility problems. 

Telephone: 0800 800 150
Textphone:18001 800 150

Gas – British Gas have a range of controls and adaptors to make it easier to use gas appliances.

Contact National Home Energy Care
Telephone: 0845 955 5404

Electricity  - Offers advice and information for elderly and disabled people and a range of adaptations for equipment

Contact Southern Electric Careline 
Telephone: 0800 622 838 
Minicom:     0800 622 839