Home Mobility and Safety

 

Home Mobility and Safety

If you as caregiver, are at your loved one’s home and medical professionals have deemed it possible that they can come home, a number of things happen before official approval is given.

The hospital and medical professionals will only release them when they know someone will be there to help them, and the home environment is safe.

They also require a social service check of the home. A person will walk through the home and then give the caregiver a list of their required recommendations for patient safety. They may also ask about members of the family who will live in the home to try to ensure physical safety from elder abuse.

If there are mobility issues you may have to remove rugs, put up safety bars, secure railings on flights of stairs. They may require you to have certain medical tools on hand-blood pressure, oxygen, stethoscope, thermometer, and even diabetic equipment if your loved one has blood sugar issues. This is on top of what your typical medicine cabinet should already have on hand.

You may need to make sure you have certain personal assistance items like reachers, back scratchers, magnifying glass, canes, walkers, or wheelchairs, and good lighting in the house.

There are some situations where full room renovations may need to occur. Or when the house is not suitable for a person with fragile balance, and difficulty walking or even moving. It might not be financially feasible to set up a kitchen suitable for someone who now needs a wheelchair.

One might have to consider a move to a one level granny pod that can be specifically set up for the wheelchair bound and a caregiver. Again, financial situations play a big role in what people can do for loved ones who suddenly need help in ways they have never needed before.

A lot of these items may end up being a personal expense, at least at first. It may be paid for by insurance later. This can mean that you often have to keep up with your loved ones insurance-based allowances.

But no matter what, there will always be out of pocket expenses. It can be a good idea to make sure you have a medical miscellaneous category in your loved one’s budget.

Here are some tools for seniors facing challenges in performing simple tasks:

Grab Bars:

You want to put them in bathrooms, near toilets, and in the shower or bathtub. They can provide support and stability for seniors when standing, sitting, or moving in slippery areas.

Raised Toilet Seats:

It eases the process of sitting down and standing up from the toilet, reducing strain on the knees and hips.

Adaptive Kitchen Tools:

Some tools include ergonomically designed utensils, easy-grip cutlery, and adaptive kitchen gadgets. They can help your loved one stay independent in the kitchen. There are tools that help with meal preparation, cooking, and eating.

Reacher or Grabber Tool:

Enables seniors to grasp and retrieve items without bending or stretching. You might want to have more than one in the house. They are very handy tools. They can be used throughout the house, especially in areas that are hard to reach.

Walking Aids:

Some mobility tools like canes, walkers, rollators, even wheelchairs may be needed to get around inside the house. They provide stability and support while walking, reducing the risk of falls.

Automatic Pill Dispenser:

They help seniors keep track of medications and ensure they take the right dosage at the right time.

Lift Chairs:

They can assist seniors in standing up or sitting down more easily, particularly for those with mobility issues.

Stair Lifts:

They help with movement between different levels of the house for seniors with limited mobility.

Non-Slip Mats and Rugs:

You might want to put them in high-risk areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. You want to do everything you can to reduce the risk of slips and falls.

Large-Button Phones or Smart phones with Accessibility Features:

Do what you can to make it easier for seniors with visual or dexterity challenges to connect with others. Social interactions can be a positive influence on your loved one.

Voice-Activated Assistants:

They can make it easier for seniors to control lights, thermostats, and other devices using voice commands, promoting convenience.

Magnifying Glasses and Large-Print Books:

They aid seniors with visual impairments in reading and other close-up tasks. They can be important when helping your loved one get back to hobbies that they may love.

Easy-to-Use Remote Controls:

These tools can simplify the process of operating televisions and other entertainment devices.

Adaptive Clothing:

See if you can find clothing with Velcro or magnetic closures. It Makes dressing and undressing easier for seniors with limited dexterity.

Personal Emergency Response System (PERS):

Typically these can be worn as a pendant or bracelet. They can provide a quick way for seniors to call for help in case of an emergency.

When considering tools for seniors with declining physical capabilities, it's essential to assess their specific needs and preferences. Consulting with healthcare professionals, occupational therapists, or other experts can help determine the most suitable assistive devices for individual situations.