Help to Adapt encourages homeowners, aged 60 or over, to be proactive in adapting their homes to enable their long term independence and quality of life.

Uniquely it will help owners pay for the adaptations, by using the equity in their own home, and organise all the work for them.

The pilot initiative, managed by Link Group Ltd, provides a personalised service which aims to deliver peace of mind for homeowners. It removes the stress of having to organise the installation of adaptations such as stair lifts or handrails and offers assistance to manage the process every step of the way.

Mrs Pillans, a current Help to Adapt client, welcomed the scheme saying: “It’s a great idea, brilliant to have it as an option at our age. Glad I was given this number to call.”

Angela Gardiner, Help to Adapt contract manager, added: “Help to Adapt is helping home owners to consider their future needs at an early stage, to plan to stay in control and have choice about how and when they adapt their home. Over the last year we have worked in partnership with individuals and with Scottish Government to test and develop this brand new approach to enabling older home owners to adapt their home.

“Now the scheme is fully established, and our dedicated team of advisors, occupational therapist and technical advisers is making a real difference to older people and to their families. Link is delighted o be able to extend the geographical range to most of Central Scotland to help more people live well at home.”

To find out more about Help to Adapt visit www.HelpToAdaptScotland.co.uk or contact the Help to Adapt team on 0330 303 7801.