CIH Scotland has called for more investment in the resources needed for home adaptations.
Responding to a consultation on revised draft guidance from the Scottish government, the body says sufficient investment would ensure people from all housing tenures are able to access equipment and adaptations as and when needed.
The new guidance aims to ensure streamlined and equitable access to equipment and adaptations, recognising that there are currently a number of barriers to overcome and sometimes lengthy delays in the provision of equipment and adaptations.
It highlights the need for better partnership working, choice for service users, and more focus on prevention and early intervention.
Responding to the consultation, Ashley Campbell, Policy and Practice manager at CIH Scotland, said: “We welcome the updated guidance and the acknowledgement of the significant contribution that equipment and adaptations can make to people’s day to day lives.
“However, guidance alone will not provide adaptations for the 250,000 households who report needing an adaptation to help with their day to activities.
“Our work on housing and dementia has highlighted the inequality that can be faced by people in different housing tenures.”
She continued: “There are different funding streams depending on who your landlord is or if you own your own home and it’s not always easy to find advice and information, particularly for people living in the private sector.
“Simple adaptations can make a huge difference to people’s lives and can save money by preventing a hospital admission or move to residential care.
“If the Scottish government is serious about focusing on prevention and ensuring equitable access, it needs to ensure that funding is not a barrier to accessing equipment and adaptations.”
Image credit: RUCHUDA BOONPLIEN/Shutterstock
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