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Another example of a large adaptation was that in the home of
a young man paralysed below the waist as the result of a road
accident. His bungalow was adapted to permit him to use his
wheel chair in all rooms. Access was made to the bathroom and
toilet, and steps were replaced by ramps. These adaptations helped
this young man to lead an independent life and return to his
previous employment.
Assessments on the financial ability of clients to contribute
to the cost of adaptations are made. Considerable benefit to clients
has resulted from the decision of the Committee (August, 1967)
to provide the first £50 of adaptations free of cost.
Adaptations to the homes of persons who are permanently and
substantially disabled cannot be considered as a solution to the
special housing needs of this section of the community. Housing
policy in regard to new building needs to take account of the
special requirements of wheel chair users. Housing authorities
are including flatlets for the elderly in their development schemes,
and as considerable numbers of the elderly have physical handicaps
a high proportion of such flatlets could be constructed with the
needs of wheel chair users in mind, so that ramps, wide doorways,
special toilet facilities, etc. could be incorporated in new constructions
at ground floor level.
Personal Aids
The number of aids to daily living supplied to handicapped
people totalled 553 at a cost of £1,562. Included in this figure is the
cost of supplying nursing aids at the request of district nurses on
the advice of hospital consultants or general practitioners. The
"Ripple" bed, which is used as a nursing aid to prevent bed sores,
has placed an additional burden on the financial resources available
for the supply of aids. "Ripple" beds cost £48 and during the year
14 were supplied. Requests for lifting aids such as the "Penryn"
hoist and the "Easi-Carri" hoist have also been considerable. But
the principle requirements continue to be bathing aids and walking
aids which together account for over 65% of aids supplied.
No charge is made to persons supplied with these aids which
are returnable when no longer required. The increasing attention
being applied to improving nursing techniques in the field of
geriatric care is likely to increase the demand for such aids. The
British Red Cross Society were given a grant of £150 to assist them
to supply nursing aids and wheel chairs on temporary loan.
Transport
In the year under review the need for special transport facilities
for people too disabled to get about by public transport exceeded
the resources available. A second vehicle, specially adapted with