Equipment solutions for a specific condition

If you need a solution for a problem with a particular task or activity, like washing or making meals, use our equipment house.

Equipment and adaptations: equipment for your home.

There are also many good examples of smart gadgets to use in your home.

Technology Enabled Care.

If the equipment is designed to support people with a disability you may be able to buy it without paying the tax for your purchase. Many shops have a VAT exemption form you can complete to reduce the cost of the purchase. You can’t claim the VAT afterwards from the HMRC.

Rather than buy you may want to consider renting the equipment if you only need it for a short time, or buying second hand.

Local equipment shops and online equipment websites.

If you think you are having memory problems speak to your GP. There is advice about the health support available on the NHS website, including Dementia symptoms, diagnosis and medicines.

NHS: Dementia guide.

You may also find it useful to give your information to the Police in case you get into any difficulties. This is called the Herbert Protocol. You fill in a form with your personal details, relatives or others to contact in an emergency. The police can later use this information if you are missing and relatives are worried about you. The police can also provide a wristband or tag you wear that holds this personal information. Find out more from our Staying safe - support for adults page.

Staying safe - support for adults.

There are lots of ways you can use equipment to support you with memory problems and Dementia. Here are a few examples of equipment that may help you. There are many national online equipment providers that sell equipment like Boots, Amazon and Lloyds, and many national charities and organisations that specialise in equipment like Age UK and the Alzheimer's Society.

Automatic lighting.

Lights that turn on when they detect motion can be useful in hallways and on stairs, or in main rooms of the house if the person may not think of turning a light on. This can be more important if the person is losing their balance and at risk of a fall. We have detailed advice on Dementia and falls.

Staying steady and independent with Dementia.

image of a sensor lightGet up in the night sensor light.
A battery powered LED motion sensor light that comes on when it detects motion.

£17 (September 2023).

Sold by the Alzheimer's Society shop. Alzheimer's Society shop.

 

image of a sensor night light

Glowhouse motion sensor night light.
LED motion sensor night light. Also has constant on mode to use as a bedside light.

£10 (September 2023).

Sold by Amazon. Amazon shop.

 

Smart devices.

Devices you can talk to and give you answers like the Amazon Echo, Google Home and Apple HomePod can help someone with Dementia, by giving them reminders of activities or taking medication, and controlling other devices in the home like the television, radio, lighting. There are also smart devices that you can attach to important items like keys or a mobile telephone, so if the person cannot find this item they can make the device make a noise to help them find it.

picture of smart devices

Smart devices have a range of prices from £30 to £100 plus depending on features, size/quality of the speaker, and often you can buy a bundle of the device with smart bulbs and sockets that all work together. Most online retailers like Amazon, Argos, John Lewis have regular offers with reduced prices for these devices. Online deals websites like HotUKdeals and Latestdeals have details of the latest offers.

HotUKdeals: electronic deals and offers.

Latestdeals: smart devices.

Smart clocks and calendars.

It can be useful to have a clock that also displays the day of the week, or the date, or one with a large screen, or one that chimes or speaks the time each hour.

image of a reminder alarm clockRosebud reminder clock.
With 4 different display options this clock can also remind the person to do daily tasks.

£84 (September 2023).

Sold by the Alzheimer's Society shop. Alzheimer's Society shop.

 

image of a talking clockTalking cube clock.
Speaks the time verbally in an English male voice. Also has audible cues to help set an alarm with different sounds (bell, horn, cuckoo).

£63 (September 2023).

Sold by the Healthcare Pro shop. Healthcare Pro shop.

 

Automated pill dispensers.

This is a device that is pre-filled with medication. At the right time the dispenser allows access the pills the person should take at that time, usually with an alarm function to tell the person. these are pre-filled and locked. When it’s time to take medication, the dispenser sets off an alarm and the right compartment opens so that the person can take the correct pills. Some devices will continue to play the alarm until the pills are taken, and will alert family or a carer if the mediation is not taken.

image of a pill dispenserAutomatic pill dispenser.
Can dispense pills up to 28 times in a day. Programmable timer and has a flashing light alarm when it’s time to take pills, which only stops when pills are removed. Also displays the time and has a lockable lid.

£155 (September 2023).

Sold by the Healthcare Pro shop. Healthcare Pro shop.

 
Medication dispenser. Our City Wide Care Alarms Service can give people peace of mind with the ability to call for support if you get into difficulty at home (such as a fall). As well as the standard pendant the person wears, the service can provide a medication dispenser.

Sheffield City Council: City Wide Care Alarms.

 

You can get more advice about Dementia activities, groups and support from our Dementia pages.

Dementia Support in Sheffield.

Dementia Advice Sheffield provides a one-stop shop, first point of contact service to respond to any non-clinical dementia-related query from a person who is living with dementia or their family carer.

Age UK Sheffield: Dementia Advice Sheffield.
Call 0114 250 2875 or email dementiaadvice@ageuksheffield.org.uk.

The Alzheimer’s Society supports people with Dementia, their family and carers, with a telephone support line, online and printed information, expert dementia advisers and an online community.

Alzheimer’s Society: Using technology to help with everyday life.
Helpline: 0333 150 3456.

Dementia Talking Point is the Alzheimer’s Society’s online community where people affected by dementia can receive valuable support from people in similar situations.

Alzheimer's Society: Dementia Talking Point our online community.

If you need advice about losing your sight speak to your GP. There is advice about the health support available on the NHS website, including NHS eye tests and different types of low vision aids.

              NHS: Blindness and vision loss.

If you’re having difficulties with your vision, there are lots of ways you can use equipment to support you. Here are a few examples of equipment that may help you. There are many national online equipment providers that sell equipment for Blind and visually impaired people like Boots, Amazon and Lloyds, and many national charities and organisations that specialise in equipment. Examples.

Talking microwave.

Speaks when buttons are pressed and to let you know how long food is cooking and when the food is ready.

image of a microwaveRNIB talking microwave. 
Talks through all functions. 5 Cooking modes. Adjustable volume.

£258 (September 2023).

Sold by the Royal National Institute for the Blind. RNIB Shop.

 
image of a talking microwaveTalking combination microwave oven
.
This oven automatically uses a combination of microwave, convection and grill for best results. With 3 favourite buttons, a talking clock and timer.

£360 (September 2023).

Sold by the Partially Sighted Society. Partially Sighted Society Shop.

 

Big button telephone.

Clear contrast for printed numbers and big buttons to make the telephone easier to use. Some also have a loudspeaker.

image of a corded phoneBT big button 200 corded phone.
Includes loudspeaker function, volume controls, 3 one-touch call buttons to call favourite numbers, and memory for 10 quick dial numbers.

£32 (September 2023).

Sold by the Royal National Institute for the Blind. RNIB Shop.

 
image of a corded telephonePhoneEasy Basic button phone
.
Big buttons and adjustable volume.

£29 (September 2023).

Sold by the Partially Sighted Society. Partially Sighted Society Shop.

 

Talking clock.

Speaks the time, day and date. Some also have alarm functions.

image of RNIB CommuniclockRNIB Communiclock. 
Battery operated speaking clock that can also speak the day and date.

£51 (September 2023).

Sold by the Royal National Institute for the Blind. RNIB Shop.

 
image of a talking clockRadio controlled talking clock.
Battery powered speaking clock with alarm and snooze function. Speech can be turned off at night. Clockface is backlit.

£48 (September 2023).

Sold by the Partially Sighted Society. Partially Sighted Society Shop.

 

Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind provides opportunity, support, friendship and services to blind and partially sighted people in Sheffield, helping them to achieve whatever they wish to do and whatever they aspire to be. Their Equipment Advisor gives advice on an extensive range of products, to help people with sight loss maintain their independence. They also run monthly ‘drop-in days’ themed around particular topics.

SRSB: Blind and partially sighted support in Sheffield.
Equipment Advisor. Tech and equipment days.

The Royal National Institute for the Blind is the leading charity for people with vision loss. RNIB give advice about coping with sight loss and how equipment can help. They also have an online shop.

RNIB: coping with sight loss. RNIB online shop.
RNIB helpline: call 0303 123 9999, email helpline@rnib.org.uk.

Vital Tech is funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust to help guide blind and partially sighted people in the UK through the world of assistive technology. It aims to keep thing simple and easy to understand.

Vital Tech: health and wellbeing.

Blind and Deaf.

You can also get advice on how equipment can be used to support Blind and Deaf people, from Deafblind UK and Sense.

Deafblind UK: Help with technology.
Call: 0800 132320. Text: 0790 357 2885. Email: info@deafblind.org.uk.

Sense: Assistive technology.
Call: 0300 330 9256. Email: info@sense.org.uk.

Social care support.

The Council has a team that provides adult social care support for people with a sensory impairment.

The team will assess your needs and agree a support plan to meet your needs. They can also give you advice about local community organisations and groups you can join to meet similarly impaired people and learn new ways of doing familiar tasks.

Sheffield City Council: Sensory impairment support.

If you need advice about losing your hearing speak to your GP. There is advice about the health support available on the NHS website, including different types of hearing aids and implants.

NHS: Hearing loss. Hearing aids and implants.

If you are Deaf or hearing impaired there are lots of equipment solutions that can help you. Some equipment is simple and has been popular for a long time, like flashing lights to show someone is at your front door, to newer solutions like video relay services that allow people to make phone calls with the help of a sign language interpreter.

Here are a few examples of equipment that may help you. There are many national online equipment providers that sell equipment for Deaf and hearing impaired people like Boots, Amazon and Lloyds, and many national charities and organisations that specialise in equipment. Examples.

Flashing alarms and doorbells.

A clearly visible strong flashing light to let you know your telephone is ringing, there is someone at your door, or other alarm. There are systems that can work with your existing doorbell or alarm, or replacement systems that have a flashing light and can send a text to your phone.

image of a doorbellSarabec Chimeflash Doorbell.
Sarabec run an online shop for the Centre for Deaf and hard of hearing.

Cost £50 (September 2023).

Centre for Deaf and hard of hearing: online shop.

 
image of a doorbellGeemarc Amplicall multi-alert receiver with doorbell.
Connevans run an online shop for the Royal National Institute for the Deaf.

Cost £119 (September 2023).

Connevans: online shop.

 

Amplified telephone.

Good if you usually don’t need to use a hearing aid, but would like to be able to adjust the volume of the person speaking while avoiding using a separate speaker.

image of a cordless telephoneGeemarc AmpliDECT 595 Telephone.
Sarabec run an online shop for the Centre for Deaf and hard of hearing.

Cost £92 (September 2023).

Centre for Deaf and hard of hearing: online shop.

 
image of a cordless telephoneSwissvoice DECT Cordless Telephone.
Connevans run an online shop for the Royal National Institute for the Deaf.

Cost £70 (September 2023).

Connevans: online shop.

 

Alarm clocks.

Not just vibrating alarms, some include flashing lights, or allow you to change the tone of the alarm to a higher or lower pitch depending on your hearing.

image of an alarmclockGeemarc Wake 'n' Shake Curve.
Sarabec run an online shop for the Centre for Deaf and hard of hearing.

Cost £54 (September 2023).

Centre for Deaf and hard of hearing: online shop.

 
image of an alarmclockSonic Bomb digital alarm clock with bed shaker. 
Connevans run an online shop for the Royal National Institute for the Deaf.

Cost £53 (September 2023).

Connevans: online shop.

 

The Royal National Institute for the Deaf is the leading charity for Deaf people and hearing loss. RNID give advice about coping with hearing loss and how equipment can help. They also have an online shop.

RNID: Get support online.
Call: 0808 808 0123. Text: 07360 268 988.
Relay UK: call 18001 followed by 0808 808 0123.
Email: contact@rnid.org.uk.
Chat online. SignLive free BSL video call.

Blind and Deaf.

You can also get advice on how equipment can be used to support Blind and Deaf people, from Deafblind UK and Sense.

Deafblind UK: Help with technology.
Call: 0800 132320. Text: 0790 357 2885. Email: info@deafblind.org.uk.

Sense: Assistive technology.
Call: 0300 330 9256. Email: info@sense.org.uk.

Social care support.

The Council has a team that provides adult social care support for people with a sensory impairment.

The team will assess your needs and agree a support plan to meet your needs. They can also give you advice about local community organisations and groups you can join to meet similarly impaired people and learn new ways of doing familiar tasks.

Sheffield City Council: Sensory impairment support.

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