As seniors age one of their main concerns is how to remain independent as long as possible. There are a number of aids that can help the aging remain in their home, with or without continued mobility, as long as possible. My father was able to enjoy walking on his own well into his eighties. Unfortunately, several mishaps due to low blood sugar caused him to have to rely on a cane, and then a walker, in order to get around.
What is remarkable is that he didn?t start using a walker until after he turned 89-years-old. Otherwise he was able to stay independent in his own home and maintain a quality of life that was important to him. No one wants to be dependent on someone else, especially someone like dad who was strong and independent most of his life in spite of his poor eyesight.
Here is a list of items that can help seniors keep their independence for as long as possible:
Canes, Walkers, Wheelchairs. Often there is a transition from needing a cane, moving to a walker, and later needing a wheelchair. The next step after a wheelchair is usually when they become bedridden.
Bed safety rails. If your aging senior occasionally falls out of bed, adding bed rails or getting a specialized bed will help keep them safe. You may be able to rent a hospital style bed at a local senior center or purchased one that is used. We have had a problem with dad falling out of bed when his sugar is low, and we are considering renting a bed with rails.
Bedside commodes. Many people use a bedside commode, especially during the night or if their loved one can?t get to the bathroom. The commode should have rails so that the person can get on and off the seat by themselves.
Portable hair washing station. Similar to what you might see at a hair salon, the portable hair washing station helps those who are bedridden or who cannot stand long enough to get their hair washed at a sink or in a shower.
Shower seat or bench. My father now has a home-care person who comes in several times a week to give him a shower. Not only have grab bars been attached to the shower so that he can get in and out safely, he also has a stable shower seat inside the shower itself. Using a hand-held shower nozzle makes it much easier to wash his body and shampoo his hair.
Raised toilet seats. Another addition to my dad?s bathroom is a raised toilet seat. With the grab bar on the wall and the raised toilet seat, he is able to continue using the bathroom by himself.
Grab bars. Installing grab bars in the bathroom, near the sink, beside the toilet, and near the tub or shower is a great way to help seniors keep their balance when they are trying to sit down or stand up. We also placed grab bars by the back door of dad?s home as he had to walk up and down about four or five steps and then turn to go out the back door. The bars were also placed along the stairwell going to the basement. They are also helpful in a two story home.
Cellphones. Having a cell phone has allowed dad to keep in touch with family and friends without having to sit beside a table where a telephone is plugged in. He has even called me on my cell when we were both in the same house so that he could talk to me ? especially if I was upstairs and he was several rooms away. You can look for a specific phone that has the ability to amplify someone?s voice if a regular cellphone isn?t loud enough.
Hearing aids and headphones. My father has tried hearing aids over the years and nothing ever seemed to work. We have other relatives that rely on theirs. Recently he was given a headset that he wears whenever he goes out, especially to the senior center. He talks into it in the morning when he gets ready to use it just to make sure he can hear okay, places it over his head like you would to listen to music or a talking book, and off he goes. Because it is portable, he can wear it on the bus and at the senior center, although he rarely wears it around the house.
Turn a closet or attic space into a bathroom or half-bath. We did that in my parents? home prior to my grandmother coming to live with them. She had her own space upstairs and the half-bath and a small kitchenette helped her feel like she was still independent while giving everyone their privacy.
Recliner?platforms. There are several options as far as getting in and out of a chair is concerned. When we recently purchased a new recliner for dad, we made sure it was as high as possible and also sturdy enough in the arms so that he could push himself up. Then, someone from the senior center built a platform specifically for that particular chair that adds another three to four inches in height to help him get in and out.
Lift chairs. Another option for those who have trouble standing up from a seated position is to get a lift chair. This type of chair has a special mechanism underneath that helps lift the body so that someone can stand up from a sitting position.
Portable Lifts. A portable lift option is available so that you can take it with you when you go to a restaurant, visit a friend, or to help you get in and out of a car when you travel.
It seems the more the population ages the more innovative people come up with ways to help seniors. Keep your eyes open to the latest products and gimmicks that can help you or your aging senior stay as active as possible. If you know of anything we haven?t mentioned, by all means leave us a comment so that we can add the item to our list.
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Source: http://www.eldercarecafe.net/mobility-aids-for-the-elderly/
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