Are you struggling to manage everyday activities due to a long term condition, disability or just finding things difficult as you get older?
You can use the Living Well Falkirk online service. You can also use it on behalf of someone you live with or help care for.
Some of the areas that Living Well Falkirk offers is:
- suggestions on areas such as staying safe at home, preventing falls, help with bathing, eating etc.
- options to purchase, or request the loan of, equipment matched to your needs
You can complete a self assessment at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. It is a simple but thorough assessment and can take a bit of time. You can save it at any stage and return to it when it suits you.
We can provide equipment or carry out adaptations if you are finding it difficult to:
- Get in and out of the bath
- Manage steps into your home or stairs inside your home
- Manage everyday activities, such as making meals or getting dressed
- Hear the television or smoke alarm
- Do everyday activities because your eyesight is not as good as it was
The right equipment can help you continue to live safely and independently or can help your family or carers safely assist you. It might make the difference between being able to stay in your home or return home quickly after being in hospital.
Following the assessment, any equipment or adaptations that you need will be provided. We can provide and install items such as grab rails and bath seats free of charge.
If you think equipment or an adaptation to your home could help you, please contact your local Social Work Office or go on to Living Well Falkirk.
If you need help due to a sensory impairment, please contact the Sensory Services Team. They will arrange to carry out an assessment of your needs.
If you are leaving hospital, an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist will assess your needs and arrange the equipment you need to make living at home easier. All equipment provided is on loan and must be returned when no longer needed.
If you need nursing equipment to support your care at home, such as a specialist mattress, please contact your local Health Centre or ask your Community Nurse.
If you are looking for equipment to help with your mobility, such as a wheelchair or a zimmer frame, please ask your GP surgery to refer you for a physiotherapist assessment.
Reporting broken or faulty equipment
It is important that you tell the Joint Loan Equipment Service (JLES) about any broken or faulty equipment as soon as possible. You should not use broken or faulty equipment until it has been repaired or replaced by the JLES. If your equipment needs to be serviced, we will arrange an appointment with you.
The JLES opening hours are Monday to Thursday, 9:00am-5:00pm and Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm. If you need urgent assistance outwith these hours, please call:
Returning unused equipment
You must return equipment that you no longer use. Any old, damaged or broken equipment will be taken out of use and equipment that is in good condition can be reused.
To arrange a collection, please call:
Frequently asked questions
- Can advice be given about techniques to help me with problems associated with living with a disability?
- Who can refer me to for an assessment for equipment or adaptations?
- How long does it take to respond to a referral for assessment for equipment and/or adaptations?
- How long does it take to deliver equipment?
- I need a walking aid, who do I contact?
- I need a wheelchair, who do I contact?
- Where can I find out about getting a commode?
- How can I return my equipment now that I no longer need it?
- What do I do if the equipment provided doesn't help me any more?
- What do I do if the equipment I have is broken and needs to be repaired or replaced?
- I want to buy some equipment to help me cope with mobility or other difficulties. Where do I go?
- I have nowhere to keep my electric scooter. Can you help?
Can advice be given about techniques to help me with problems associated with living with a disability?
Yes, you can use the Living Well Falkirk online tool. You can also use it on behalf of someone you live with or help care for.
Some of the areas that Living Well Falkirk offers is:
- advice and exercises to help you stay as fit and able as possible, and to help you keep your independence
- suggestions on areas such as staying safe at home, preventing falls, help with bathing, eating etc
- options to purchase, or request the loan of, equipment matched to your needs
You can complete a self assessment at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. It is a simple but thorough assessment and can take a bit of time. You can save it at any stage and return to it when it suits you.
Yes, after an assessment, your Community Care worker or Social Care Officer can give you practical help and information to help you manage every day activities
You can also get an assessment, your Community Care worker or Social Care Officer can give you practical help and information to help you manage every day activities.
Who can refer me to for an assessment for equipment or adaptations?
You may want to use the Living Well Falkirk online tool. You can also use it on behalf of someone you live with or help care for.
Some of the areas that Living Well Falkirk offers is:
- suggestions on areas such as staying safe at home, preventing falls, help with bathing, eating etc
- options to purchase, or request the loan of, equipment matched to your needs
You can complete a self assessment at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. It is a simple but thorough assessment and can take a bit of time. You can save it at any stage and return to it when it suits you.
You can also refer yourself, or someone can do this for you, to your local social work office.
How long does it take to respond to a referral for assessment for equipment and/or adaptations?
Your referral will be prioritised based on the information provided at the time. We will respond to those in the greatest need first and you may need to wait for an assessment visit.
However, should your circumstances change you should let us know as this may affect your priority for a visit.
We suggest that you may want to use the Living Well Falkirk online tool. You can also use it on behalf of someone you live with or help care for. This is quick and easy and you can do this at a time that suits you.
Some of the areas that Living Well Falkirk offers is:
- suggestions on areas such as staying safe at home, preventing falls, help with bathing, eating etc
- options to purchase, or request the loan of, equipment matched to your needs
You can complete a self assessment at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. It is a simple but thorough assessment and can take a bit of time. You can save it at any stage and return to it when it suits you.
If you need more detailed help you can ask for an assessment through your local social work office.
How long does it take to deliver equipment?
Delivery times for equipment will vary depending on priority. We will talk to you at the time of the referral and assessment to make sure your needs are met.
I need a walking aid, who do I contact?
You should discuss this with your GP, community nurse, or physiotherapist who will arrange for an assessment of your needs to be completed. If a walking aid is required, this will be provided free of charge by the NHS.
I need a wheelchair, who do I contact?
If you need a wheelchair for long-term/permanent use, you should discuss this with your GP, District Nurse or any Allied Health Professional who will arrange for an assessment of your needs to be completed. If a wheelchair is needed, you will be referred to the Regional Wheelchair Service. For most Falkirk residents, this will be WestMARC (West of Scotland Mobility and Rehabilitation Centre) in Glasgow.
WestMARC run wheelchair clinics at Stirling Health & Care Village for people in Forth Valley who have been referred to their service. Manual and powered wheelchair clinics take place twice a month.
If you have a wheelchair provided by WestMARC that needs a repair, or is no longer meeting your needs, contact WestMARC on 0844 811 3001.
If you need a wheelchair for a short-term loan, to meet an urgent need you should discuss this with your District Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Physiotherapist.
You will be eligible to borrow a wheelchair if one of the following applies:
- You are unable to stand and/or walk while recovering from surgery, injury, or illness.
- You are receiving end-of-life care, and a wheelchair would improve your quality of life.
- You have been referred to the regional wheelchair service (WestMARC) to receive a permanent wheelchair and a short-term loan of a standard manual wheelchair will allow you to be discharged from hospital.
Wheelchairs for short-term loan in Forth Valley are supplied by the Joint Loan Equipment Service (JLES), following a request by a Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Physiotherapist. Loans are normally for up to 12 weeks but can be extended in exceptional circumstances up to six months. At the end of the loan period, wheelchairs must be returned to JLES for re-use.
If none of the above circumstances apply (for example if you need a wheelchair for social reasons or for going on holiday), you can hire a wheelchair, or buy one privately. Shopmobility in Falkirk and Stirling offer a hire service for a small charge. Contact Shopmobility for more details on:
- Falkirk – 01324 630500
- Stirling – 01786 449606
Where can I find out about getting a commode?
You should speak to your community nurse about the provision of a commode.
How can I return my equipment now that I no longer need it?
If you don't need the equipment you can contact the Joint Loan Equipment Service who will arrange for it to be collected.
Telephone: 01324 506070 or email jles@falkirk.gov.uk
What do I do if the equipment provided doesn't help me any more?
You should speak to your community care worker or community nurse about your requirements. You may need to be re-assessed and other equipment issued. Depending upon what the equipment is, you should return it so someone else can use it.
What do I do if the equipment I have is broken and needs to be repaired or replaced?
If your equipment is broken you should stop using it immediately and contact your local Social Work office or the Joint Loan Equipment Service who will arrange for it to be repaired or replaced.
I want to buy some equipment to help me cope with mobility or other difficulties. Where do I go?
You can use the Living Well Falkirk online tool. You can also use it on behalf of someone you live with or help care for. You can complete a self assessment at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. It is a simple but thorough assessment and can take a bit of time.
You can save it at any stage and return to it when it suits you.
You can also ask your GP surgery to refer you for a physiotherapist assessment.
I have nowhere to keep my electric scooter. Can you help?
If you have bought the scooter, you will need to provide storage for it.