Equipment

Mobility Equipment

In most cases, if not all, seniors wanting to age in place often find it necessary to use a range of equipment and devices that help maximize their independence and safety while in their homes. And, while each case is different, there are some common categories that most equipment falls into.

This is a pretty familiar category to most, I’m sure. The items that are included here are to help folks who may have trouble getting around their home, to do it more safely. It could be a balance issue from a stroke, joint pain because of arthritis, a weakness from an acute or chronic condition like heart failure, or even if they have a vision problem like macular degeneration.

There are a number of tools that people use and they include the following:

1. Canes: single point, the “hurry cane”, 4 prong canes (narrow and wide base).
2. Walkers: 2 wheel and 4 wheel walkers (rollators), and the “upright” type of 4 wheel walker.
3. Wheelchairs: Transport, standard manual, and power chairs.
4. Scooters: there are 3 and 4 wheel scooters. Indoor and outdoor scooters also.
5. Crutches: Although most seniors don’t use crutches, there are some who do prefer them to canes because they offer a little more support.
6. Transfer Lifts: This includes hoyer lifts, wheelchair lifts, and sit to stand lifts.

Bathroom Safety Equipment

The bathroom is another area where safety should be upper mind when it comes to aging in place. There’s a range of tools and items specifically designed to help seniors do what they need to to in the bathroom more easily and safely.

Some of the most common examples of safety equipment they can use in the bathroom includes:

1. Grab bars: Grab bars should be a part of all new construction in my opinion. Your elder would benefit from having them installed in their shower and toilet area(s) to make sure going to and getting out/off is safe. There are many tastefully designed grab bars nowadays That don’t look institutional.
2. Shower chairs: Shower chairs also come in a variety of designs. I would recommend one that is adjustable and has plastic handles or arms for support.
3. Bath benches: These are also called “tub transfer benches” by therapists. They are made to straddle the side of the bathtub so your senior isn’t troubled by trying to step into the tub. Tip! These won’t work if you have sliding doors on your bathtub.
4. Raised toilet seats: Having a raised toilet seat can make getting onto and off the toilet easier for taller persons if the seat is too low. If you only need handles for the toilet and not a raised seat (if your senior is on the shorter side), those are available too.
5. Non-slip mats: This is a frequently overlooked safety item because it’s usually not top of mind. In addition, many people think that non-slip mats are only for IN the shower or tub. But they can also be in front of th toilet or at the sink also. Wherever there may be liquid on the floor or the senior may be sitting or standing.

Bathroom safety is extremely important because its a place in the home that we visit many times of the day and night and many people fall in their bathrooms. Taking precautions and making sure it’s as safe as possible can reduce stress on the caregiver’s part and effort on the part of the care recipient.

Some families decide that it’ll be a good idea to even consider modifications to the bathroom to make it safe for the longer term.

Home Modifications

Home modifications are changes made to a person’s home to accommodate their needs and improve their safety, comfort, and quality of life. Some common examples of home modifications for seniors aging in place include:

1. Ramps: Ramps can be added to the home to provide a gentle incline for individuals who have difficulty using stairs.
2. Stairlifts: Stairlifts are devices that run along a track and provide a chair or platform for individuals to sit on while being transported up and down the stairs.
3. Wheelchair lifts: These are like elevators for wheelchairs and usually are placed on the outside of the home.
4. Widened doorways: Doorways can be widened to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers.
5. Handrails: Handrails can be added along walls or stairways to provide additional support and stability for individuals.
6. Lever handles: Lever handles can be installed on doors and cabinets to make them easier to open and close.

As an aside, wheelchair lifts can actually provide a good solution if there are a lot of stairs to get into the home. Generally, if there are more than 4-5 steps to enter the home, a ramp may not be the best option. Keep in mind, you don’t have to be in a wheelchair to use the lift system. It’s like an elevator.

Any home modifications should be researched and discussed prior to initiating the change. If the project is a large one, you may consider consulting a certified aging in place specialist (CAPS) who can help educate you on the design so it’s done right the first time.

Assistive Technology

In this case, “assistive technology” refers to a wide range of things designed to help seniors aging in place to perform their activities of daily living (ADLs) with more independence.

Assistive technology can include:

1. Medical alert systems: There are a slew of medical or personal alert devices available. They are the ones that with a press of a button alert the 911 system or a family caregiver that there is an emergency.
2. Voice-activated devices: These are systems like the Amazon Echo or Google Home that allow seniors to control various systems in their homes, like the lights and thermostat by only their voice. They can also program them to make calls and set up reminders to take medications.
3. Telehealth devices: Telehealth is something that the medical community is trying to really roll out. Doctors encourage their patients to monitors and use equipment that’s connected to the internet so that medical personnel can monitor the elder’s health from a distance and them communicate any concerns with the doctors or medical personnel.
4. Home security systems: Nowadays, home security systems include security cameras, motion detectors, and alarms. These systems can offer security to both caregivers and their elders.

With most of these so-called assistive technologies, insurance companies don’t cover the services, but, although it may be an out of pocket expense, it just might be worth it.

Home Healthcare Equipment

What I mean by “home healthcare equipment” is all those things that a senior may need because of existing medical conditions or to improve the quality of their lives in their own home. If a person has a condition like COPD or congestive heart failure, they may need oxygen. Or, CPAP may be needed for someone who has sleep apnea.

Common home healthcare equipment includes:

1. Hospital beds: Hospital beds are used by a lot of people especially if they need to elevate their head or legs (or both, while sleeping.
2. Pressure relief mattresses: These items are used by people who may be prone to skin breakdown or pressure sores.
3. Compression machines: People who have swelling in their lower legs may need to have compression devices for their legs. But, make sure your doctor has recommended them before using them. For people with fragile hearts or heart problems, your doctor will have to give you the parameters for using these.
4. Medication dispensers: There are automatic pill dispensers that will help people with memory issues or who may take a lot of medications, stay on track and not miss a dose or overdose on their medications.
5. Oxygen concentrators: Oxygen concentrators are used by those with COPD, emphysema, or other conditions that affect lung function. Many people only use oxygen concentrators at night when their breathing is shallow.
6. Nebulizers: People with certain respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic bronchitis or other condition that may cause their airway to constrict use nebulizers as a way to “breathe in” medication that helps to open the airway.
7. Blood glucose monitors: Anyone with diabetes knows what a blood glucose monitor is. These monitors measure the level of sugar in the blood stream so that the individual knows if they should take their insulin or not.

These are just a handful of the home healthcare equipment that individuals may need to use. There are others. Some are prescribed for specific conditions, others are bought “over the counter” because they improve the quality of life of the senior.

Exercise Equipment

As I have written in multiple articles on this blog, seniors can benefit from performing regular exercise routines. And for any type of exercise program they are doing, there are a number of different types of exercise equipment that they could use. Exercise is essential to maintain strength, work on balance, improve endurance and posture, and maintain their ability to perform all the functions of everyday life many of us take for granted. For seniors who may be fairly mobile and active, a treadmill and dumb bell weights may be appropriate. Then again, someone who has a lot of pain from arthritis, or those whose balance may not be the best, resistance bands may be the answer. There are lots and lots of options for people and a home physical therapist may be the person to recommend what’s best for your specific situation.

Various types of equipment that can be safely used in the home include but are not limited to:

1. Stationary bicycles: The recumbent stationary bike is generally a good option for seniors because it’s easy to mount and dismount from. They provide low-impact cardio that’s easy on sore joints.
2. Elliptical trainers: For seniors, there are recumbent elliptical trainers too, like the Nu-Step. Again, easy to mount and dismount. The popular “Cubii” is also billed as an “under the desk” elliptical trainer that a lot of seniors like also.
3. Treadmills: I put treadmills on the list because, 1) everyone is familiar with them, and 2) for those seniors that are pretty mobile and few concerns of falling, using a treadmill is a good way to get a walking program on regardless of the weather outside.
4. Resistance bands: The popular “Thera-Band brand of resistance bands are known by most therapists. Resistance bands on the whole are versatile, and provide a low-impact and convenient option for strength training. Plus, they can be used for a host of different exercises and movements. You’re only limited by your imagination.
5. Dumbbells: While I typically don’t recommend dumbbells because of the fear of someone getting injured, if they are 10 lbs. or less, they can be used for strength training exercises. But to use them safely, your grip has to be tight and you have to know what you’re doing (That’s me being cautious).
6. Balance balls: Here’s another piece of equipment that, for the most part, should be used by those that are pretty mobile and active. But, there are some low key exercises that can be safer for some who aren’t that mobile either. Again, you’ll want to get a physical therapist or trainer to work with your loved one using one of these.

These are just a small example of the equipment that is available for the older population to use to help them stay safe and fit in the home they choose to live in. And, for caregivers, having some of this equipment can actually make the role of caregiving a lot easier and relieve some of the physical and emotional burden you may be feeling as you fill this role.