I am retired and would like to move to a smaller home, what are my options?

There are a number of options available for you to consider. 

• You may apply for a smaller property by registering for transfer. Please refer to the ‘moving home’ section.

• If you wish to exchange your home for a smaller one, you may be able to move under Lambeth’s Tenants Incentive Scheme (TIS). Residents who move under this scheme receive £1000 for each room vacated.  Please contact the estate office for further details, or visit London Borough of Lambeth Sheltered Housing    

• You may apply for sheltered housing.  Sheltered housing is a specialist type of accommodation and service which enables older people to continue to enjoy life in the community as independently as possible, with the benefit of friendship, support and security.

• If you would like to find out more about Lambeth’s sheltered accommodation scheme please contact the estate office, or visit London Borough of Lambeth Sheltered Housing    

I wish to remain in my home, what services can you provide?

If you wish to continuing living in your own home but require help, adaptations and/or additional support, BGRMO can make a referral to Lambeth Social Services to have your care needs assessed. It is important to understand there is a long wait for this service.

BGRMO recognise’s that some resident’s require minor adaptations which does not warrant the wait for a community care assessment to be completed and have designated a limited resource to provide aids and adaptations to resident’s making living in their home much easier. We can for example, fix handrails to stairs and bath areas, erect access ramps, lower plug sockets, change tap heads.  We can also provide competitive quotations to supply and install shower units. Please contact the estate office for further details. 

I am a disabled resident, what services and help is available to me?

Equipment for independent living

Specialist equipment and adaptations can make it much easier for you to live independently in your own home. The equipment available ranges from large equipment like stairlifts and hoists to smaller gadgets designed for people with specific disabilities.  If you're physically disabled, and especially if you're a wheelchair user, you may need to get equipment and have permanent fixtures installed at home so that you can live independently there. Some equipment and adaptations that may benefit you include:

• A  stair lift

• A  powered bath lift

• A powered or manual height-adjustable bed

• A powered leg-lifters for people who have difficulty lifting their legs into bed

Everyday items to make life easier

A wide range of gadgets and devices are available that make everyday tasks easier for people with specific disabilities. Some examples are:

• Clamps and holders to keep jars stable so they can be opened with one hand  

• Talking kitchen scales for people who are blind or visually impaired

• Alarm clocks that vibrate under the pillow for deaf and hearing impaired people

• Kettle tippers for people who have limited arm strength or restricted movement

• Devices that remind people with memory loss or learning disabilities to do a daily tasks eg taking pills etc

Depending on how important your Occupational Therapist (OT) feels these items are to your independence, you may have to pay for them yourself and use your direct payments for the larger items that make the biggest difference to your ability to live independently.

Adapting your home

If you need improvements and adaptations to your home to help you continue to live independently there, you can ask the Social Services to do an assessment of your home.

Usually, an Occupational Therapist will assess what adaptations are appropriate to meet your needs or the needs of a disabled person who lives in your home. If they agree that you need adaptations to your home, you will be awarded a Disabled Facilities Grant.

Disabled Facilities Grants

Local councils are required by law to give Disabled Facilities Grants to eligible applicants to make houses suitable for disabled people. However, you may be expected to pay some of the costs, depending on your financial circumstances.  Disabled Facilities Grants are available to owners and tenants in both private and social housing subject (in England) to a limit of £25,000.  Grants can be used on any adaptation that will make it easier for the disabled person to get into and around their home, or (for example) to provide suitably adapted kitchen and bathroom facilities or heating and heating control equipment.

Personal alarm systems

Being able to summon help immediately in an emergency is often an important consideration for disabled people wanting to live independently at home. A personal alarm system could be the answer.  Personal alarm systems (also known as community alarm services) work through a base unit in your home, which is connected to your phone line.  By pressing a button on the unit or on a pendant that you wear around your neck, you are connected with an operator who can arrange for the help you need.  Some charities - like Age Concern for example, operate personal alarm systems that are used by disabled, older and/or less able bodied people.

We also have a dedicated brochure available in our reception area concerning all aspect of independent living.