Assessments
What does an assessment involve?
Our ILC Team are uniquely qualified (some have extensive experience of working in Occupational Therapy Departments) to help you become as independent as possible. They will assess your needs / difficulties and recommend equipment most suitable for your requirements. You will receive a demonstration of equipment and be able to try it out for yourself.
You are under no obligation, once you have had an assessment, to purchase any equipment.
If we feel you may be entitled to receive any equipment from the Equipment Loan Service via Social Services we will advise you of this, and provide you with the means to do so, i.e. relevant telephone numbers etc.
Types of assessment
Chairs:
Posture in a chair is of great importance and this can only be achieved if the chair "fits" the person properly.
Some of our chairs, both electric and static, come in a variety of standard sizes; but some companies that we deal with are able to offer a more bespoke service. To that end your assessment would usually involve taking a few key measurements and then, where possible, trying you in various showroom chairs and advising on the best "fit" from there.
We are able to advise on more specialist seating for those with special needs, and a variety of pressure care products.
Walkers and mobility equipment: Our staff are trained to fit walking sticks and zimmers to the correct height for an individual, and advise on the best type of product for the individual's needs. Anyone coming to us for a wheeled walker will be questioned about where that walker is likely to be used, whether it is to be transported and how, and a number of relevant questions about their health and lifestyle, that will help us to determine which walkers we might recommend. We would then take the individual on a practical route with the various recommendations before a final decision is made. If we deem the client to be at all unsafe with the product we will not sell it to them.
Many types of mobility accessories e.g. stick holders, shopping bags etc are available.
Bathing: There are many types of bathing equipment on the market today and they carry very varied price tags; all the more reason to try before you buy, especially when it comes to the more mechanical items.
Our assessment will start by asking you lifestyle and current health questions, before we are able to offer our recommendations. We have a demonstration bathroom in the showroom where you will be able to try the various bathing equipment, as well as a demonstration wet room showing various showering and toileting equipment.
We have a fully functioning Closomat toilet with built in bidet and drying facility for those brave enough to come and try it!
The items listed above are the major assessment areas that really require a good deal of time, and if you are considering any of these it is advisable to make an hour long appointment - see below.
There are many other areas where we are able to assess and advise on possible suitable equipment. It is often best to present us with the problems or difficulties you are having and we can advise accordingly .We may not have the necessary item in our showroom but we will endeavour to either get it for you to try or advise you how you might obtain it yourself.
We have a kitchen area with all manner of things from cutlery and crockery to opening devices, pet feeding aids etc.
There are a number of products for personal care; such as dressing aids, hand and hair care range and long handled products for bathing etc.
Being able to continue with leisure pursuits is very important, something again we can offer advice and practical solutions to.
Where will I be assessed?
In most cases we like to conduct assessments at the Cornwall Mobility Centre where we have available a wide range of equipment for assessment and demonstration purposes. If your circumstances make it difficult to attend the Centre a home visit can usually be arranged. For some items of equipment a home visit may be necessary to assess the suitability of your home environment.
How do I arrange an assessment?
Contact the Centre to arrange a mutually convenient appointment, or alternatively email us your enquiry through the "contact us" option of our website.
If you are a healthcare professional and would like to refer a client for an assessment, please complete our confidential "referral form" through the "contact us" option of our website.
t: 01872 254920
f: 01872 254921
e: e-mail