Please be aware that the service is co-ordinating and responding to the unprecedented national situation associated with Covid19. This is taking absolute priority and as a result responses to any general queries or complaints at this time may take a little longer than normal. We hope that we will be able to return to business as usual as soon as possible.
Delivering housing solutions for older people and people with disabilities
We offer home solutions that can help you to manage staying safe at home. We can talk to you about the range of services available.
The Home Solutions Team includes our handy people, occupational therapists and housing support officers.
We work across Cornwall offering solutions that can help people stay safe at home. This includes:
- Adapting their home
- Providing them with equipment
- Financial advice and assistance
- Moving to more suitable and appropriate accommodation
- household maintenance and repairs for people over 60 or have a disability
You can read the Cornwall Home Solutions Policy and the Policy appendices.
The ‘Accessible Housing: Key Points’ document is an easy read executive summary of the policy.
Housing support, advice and assistance
Home solutions can offer advice and assistance to people with disablities for things like moving home or adaptations to help live indepentantly at home. We may be able to assist by providing the following:
- Explaining your housing options to help you to decide which solutions are best for you
- Support you to find a more suitable property if a house move is deemed most appropriate to meet your needs
- Advising on what financial support may be available to help with a house move or adapting your home
- Giving advice about reliable local builders and contractors
- Helping you obtain other local support services
- Offering a design and install service. Qualified surveyors will work with you to plan and design adaptations to meet your needs
- Checking whether you are entitled to any financial help, including charitable funding
- Helping with any adaptations you decide to have carried out in your home
- Handyperson services, to carry out small jobs around your home
- Drawing up plans and specifications for adaptations to your home
- Obtaining any necessary permissions (such as planning or building control) required to adapt your home
- Getting estimates, instructing your preferred contractor and monitoring works in progress to adapt your home
- Coordinating input from a range of professionals such as occupational therapists as and when needed
- The Silverlinks project - a peer network of past and present clients providing support and guidance
Our team have a broad range of experience to support your individual needs and is committed to using trustmarked registered contractors. Contact us on 01872 224707 or email adaptationsteam@cornwall.gov.uk
Occupational therapy
Occupational Therapists help people of all ages to carry out activities they need or want to do but are prevented from doing as a result of illness, disability or ageing.
The Occupational Therapy teams in both health and social care work together to help you achieve the things you want to do.
Occupational Therapy staff will help you find practical solutions to lead a more fulfilling life. They can:
- provide help and training in daily activities;
- advise whether a move to alternative accommodation would be appropriate;
- offer advice on adapting your home to meet your needs;
- assess and recommend community equipment; and
- build confidence and participation in leisure, learning and work activities.
The Occupational Therapy staff visit you at home, assess your needs and work with you (and your family) to secure a solution. Often advice or minor adaptations and equipment such as grab rails or a bath seat can be enough to help you get back to managing independently and can be fitted very quickly. Occupational Therapy staff will talk with you about all options, including moving to a more appropriate property.
Sometimes larger adaptations are needed like a ramp or stair-lift and we recommend what will best suit your situation. These solutions may take longer to arrange or your needs may be better met by moving home.
The Council offers a range of support to help you find a solution that’s best for you. To find out more, visit our Health and Social Care pages
Referrals for Occupational Therapy
Or contact the Access Team on 0300 1234 131.
Handyperson scheme
The Handyperson Service provides help with household maintenance and repairs for people in Cornwall who are over 60 or have a disability.
How much will it cost?
If in receipt of a means tested benefit, such as Guaranteed Pension Credit or Housing Benefit, it is £12 per hour including VAT + the cost of any materials. If not then it is £18 per hour including VAT.
How can I access the service?
Call 01872 224707 and we will take your details then your local Handyperson will call you back and make an appointment
Is there a waiting list?
Depending on demand we hope to be able to visit within 2 weeks although it can sometimes be longer.
What sort of jobs will the Handyperson help me with?
They can help with minor repairs and adaptations in the home, including:
- Small building repairs, clear guttering on bungalows, small glazing jobs
- Minor adaptations (installation of grab rails, hand rails or temporary ramps)
- “Odd” jobs (putting up curtain rails and shelves, moving furniture, assembly of flat pack furniture)
- Changing washers or taps, renew sealants, replace toilet seats, small areas of tiling, unblock sinks
- General home safety checks with remedial action (fitting smoke and carbon dioxide detectors)
- Minor electrical work such as changing light bulbs, fuses or plugs
- Falls/accident prevention checks with remedial action (securing loose carpets or putting up grab rails)
- Security checks with remedial action (fitting key safes, spy holes, window and door locks and chains)
- Energy efficiency (for example installing low energy light bulbs, draught proofing)
- Loft clearance to allow for insulation to be fitted
- Cleaning pathways to minimise risk of slip hazard
- Signposting clients to other services
As a service, although not limited to, we are unable to provide support with cleaning, painting, decorating or gardening tasks.