Learn about the best adaptive equipment to enhance senior safety at home.
Throughout growing older, adaptive home care devices can make day-to-day life around the house simpler and safer. There’s a wide selection of adaptive equipment solutions for home care on the market today that can enhance senior safety and help older adults to remain more comfortable at home. At Advanced Home Health Care, expert provider of home care Keokuk and the surrounding areas rely on, we would like to provide you with some insider tips for buying and using some of the most widely used pieces of home care equipment.
Commodes
A commode can be used in place of both an elevated toilet seat and a toilet safety framework, and also has the extra benefit of being mobile, so can be utilized separately at a bedside as well.
Tips for purchasing:
• Try to find one which includes non-removable armrests and rubber tips on the legs in place of wheels, and check for sturdiness.
• Choose a commode that includes both a pail (including a lid) and a sleeve (for use over the toilet).
Rollators
A rollator is a 4-wheeled walker that includes brakes, a seat, and a basket. Rollators work very well both inside the house and outside, supply seating when the senior needs to rest, and the basket enables users to carry things with them, keeping their hands free to steer the rollator.
Recommendations for purchasing:
• Bigger wheels are recommended, as they roll easier on uneven ground and are overall more sturdy.
• Pick a compact, folding design so that it can fit in the trunk of a car.
• Test out the brakes before buying to ensure that they are not rigid or complicated to use.
• Look for a rollator with a cushioned seat for extra comfort.
• Models that permit easy access to the basket while in the normal walking position are ideal.
Shower bench vs. shower board
A shower bench is helpful for seniors who feel unsafe when raising their legs over the side of the tub and considerably lessens the chance of falling when getting in and out of the bath.
The primary perks of shower benches over shower boards are that they include backrests and are height adaptable. Having a taller surface makes getting up from a seated position easier, and backrests provide more support to seniors who tire more easily. Shower boards can also be difficult to fit correctly to a tub.
Tips for purchase:
• Look for a shower bench that includes a handle and backrest which can be modified to accommodate different sizes and types of tubs.
• Make sure to also invest in a quality hand held sprayer that connects to the faucet and is convenient to use.
For more suggestions and insight on in-home adaptive equipment products, or for details about home care in Keokuk and the surrounding communities throughout the counties of Des Moines, Lee, Henry, Louisa and Van Buren, contact Advanced Home Health Care online or call us at 800.791.7785. To see our full service area, click here.
