sort by Most recent Most popular by topic Living/Accommodation Community/Social Rehabilitation Medical Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Justice/Legal/Advocacy Lifestyle aids Behaviour Cognitive effects Carers & family members Causes of brain injury Parents guide Brain injury effects Brain injury prevention Medication Types of brain disorders By tag Neurocognitive, Acquired Brain Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Degenerative Disease, Hypoxic/Anoxic, Mental Health, Young Person In Aged Care, Aggression, Capacity, Memory Impairment, Accommodation, Homelessness, Respite, Assessment, Legal, Advocacy, Sexual Issues, Recreation, Community Access, Social Isolation, Rehabilitation, Medical, Crisis, Support, Violence, Brain Disorder, Recovery, Stroke, Autism, Dementia, Health, Lifestyle aids, Effects of a brain injury, Behaviour, Carers, Alcohol & drugs, Types of brain injury, Children & brain injury, Medication, Disclaimer Information is intended as a guide only Back to all see all Living/Accommodation fact sheets > Share Living/Accommodation Adapting your home & accessible housing The diverse effects of a brain injury can require alterations and modifications to your home to ensure you can live as independently as possible. If a family member is still in hospital or rehabilitation, talk to the occupational therapist who can assess your situation and suggest the most appropriate equipment and aids, such as the need for wheelchair ramps or handrails near the stairs, outside steps and in the bathroom. Otherwise ring the Brain Injury Association in your State about the range of funding options and free government services available. These services can advise on adapting your home to suit various disabilities, and in some cases make the alterations too. Building a new home The vast majority of accommodation is not built with disabilities in mind. If funds allow, it may be best to design and build a suitable house - speak to an architect who is experienced in disability issues or ask your local Brain Injury Association if they can refer you to agencies dealing with home modifications and design. Adapt your existing home There is a wide range of modifications possible such as: ramps and wider doorways/paths for wheelchair access hand rails along ramps and in the bathroom/toilet an alarm or alert system for requesting assistance stepless shower bases smoke detectors air conditioning for temperature regulation issues stair-lifts ceiling-mounted hoists low kitchen benches and cupboards hand held showers. Remember that any significant alterations, such as rails or ramps, need to comply with Australian standards. Click here to download Related fact sheets Living/Accommodation Accommodation options after a brain injury Living/Accommodation Adapting Your Home Community/Social Living alone with dementia Living/Accommodation How to find housing