Independence at home

If you have an impairment or a health condition that makes living alone difficult, making some adaptations to your home may help. Or, you can get extra support to help you live in your home.

Living in your own home

If you live in your own home there are three main considerations:

do you receive the necessary support to make sure you can live as independently as possible?
do you have equipment to help you on a daily basis?
does your home need adapting in any way?

You have the right for your needs to be assessed by the social services department of your local trust.

Following a health and social care assessment, an occupational therapist may recommend types of equipment and ideas about adapting your home.

You may be entitled to financial help, such as a Disabled Facilities Grant, to pay for adaptations or improvements to your home.

Independent living support

Home Improvement Agencies are not-for-profit organisations which can help with adaptations to your home.

The Independent Living Fund (ILF) provides payments to people with severe disabilities. The payment can be used to help you live independently, for example by employing a personal assistant.

Help from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Your local NIHE office can tell you about services and about the housing association properties in your area, and can advise you which may be suitable for you.

The housing office can also tell you about supported or sheltered housing and care homes in your area. Supported or sheltered housing enables people to live independently but with extra daily support.