As these are not usually found in high street shops, you may not realise just what is available. Some examples of the gadgets and equipment you might find useful are given below.

In the bathroom

• Grab rails and bath seats can help you get in and out of the bath.
• You can get special seats that fix to the wall so you can have showers sitting down.
• Raised toilet seats and grab rails can make getting on and off the toilet a lot easier.
• Long-handled sponges, hairbrushes and make-up sponges can make your daily hygiene and beauty routines easier to manage.
• An electric toothbrush can make it much easier to clean your teeth.

In the kitchen

• 'Spike boards' will hold vegetables down while you chop them.
• Non-slip mats will keep your plate still while you are cutting up food.
• Kettle and teapot 'tippers' will help you to pour hot drinks safely.
• A saucepan basket can make it easier for you to get vegetables out of a pan and drain them. 
• Sliding shelves can help you reach the back of your cupboards. 
• Jar openers can take the strain out of opening stiff jars.
• Plastic tap turners can help you turn stiff taps on and off. 
• Fat handled cutlery can make it much easier to use a knife and fork.
• Two handled cups and mugs can be easier for people with poor grip.

In the bedroom

• 'Bed raisers' fit onto the feet of your bed, giving it extra height.
• There are simple items of equipment that will help you to pull yourself into a sitting position in bed. 
• Button fasteners and zip pullers can help you to get dressed. 
• Dressing sticks allow you to pull on and off stockings, tights, trousers, shirts and socks without having to bend down.

In the living room

• Manually and electrically operated reclining chairs can help you to sit upright or lie back, and can also push you forward and support you while you stand up.
• 'Chair raisers' fit onto the legs of your chairs, giving them added height.
• Long-handled window openers can help you reach high window catches.
• Books are available in large print if you have poor sight. You can also get books, newspapers and magazines on audio tape from libraries and specialist organisations such as the RNIB Talking Book Service, Calibre Audio Library and National Talking Newspaper and Magazines.

Around the house

• You can fit special handles onto plugs to take the strain out of pulling them out of sockets.
• Long-handled 'grabbers' can help you pick things up from the floor or from high shelves.
• Telephones with large buttons help if you have problems with your sight.
• Telephones that have a flashing light instead of a ringing tone can help if you have problems with your hearing.