Essential link for daily living

It’s often said that what’s needed is a one-stop shop where you can get those things disabled people need which aren’t available from mainstream retailers. Agnes Fletcher checks out a site which claims to offer just that

Essentialaids.com is a new website featuring thousands of products for disabled and older people. Most are available without VAT for those entitled to exemption.

It’s easy to use, with 11 sections ranging from mobility and orthopaedic to kitchen, dressing, work, leisure and comfort.

Within seconds, I found plenty of stuff that I’d like to have. The good news is, as well as the online shopping function, you can set up a “wish list” for family and friends’ present-buying! You “look around” the store, choose the things you like, add them to your wish list and then email it to whoever you want, with a message.

I’ll have some gymballs, a mini trampoline, an elasticated spinal support, a shopping trolley that “glides” up steps and an adjustable height flip chart/white board so I can use it sitting down when I’m training. (Please.) Him Indoors can have a “stick and stay” grab handle for travelling, a “drink thing” for “on the wheel” refreshment and, while I’m at it, I wonder if he’d submit to having a Wheely Brella? This could get quite addictive – and expensive!

Essentialaids uses a secure Sage Pay system. You can also order online and pay by cheque. It will deliver stuff on the basis of a purchase order from NHS organisations, schools, councils and charities and aims to despatch orders the same day, if placed before 1pm, and to deliver within one to two working days.

The language and pictures are a bit old-fashioned: “We sell daily living aids to help the disabled community, the elderly and others facing mobility difficulties”

There is certainly a big emphasis on listening to customers and making improvements: “We welcome feedback from our customers, so if you have any queries, questions, problems or comments concerning essentialaids.com, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.” There’s a phone number too: 01273 719 889.  

A good source of impartial information and advice on equipment is livingmadeeasy.org.uk, the Disabled Living Foundation’s (DLF) equipment website, prepared by occupational therapists and physiotherapists. The DLF also has a helpline, 0845 130 9177 (weekdays 10-4pm). If you can visit the DLF in West London, you can view some equipment.

The difference is that with the DLF site, once you’ve established what you want, you need to contact the supplier of the product separately and place an order. With Essentialaids, in a few clicks you have it – though you don’t get the online advice.

On the DLF site, I found a baby carrier for wheelchair-users (not needed now but I will recommend it to others in future – better late than never!), which wasn’t on the Essentialaids site. The DLF is a better site in terms of breadth of products and good independent advice. However, as you’d expect from a commercial company, Essentialaids is very easy to use, with a good range of products.

• Visit essentialaids.com