Hosting elderly relatives can be a wonderful experience, but it also comes with the responsibility of ensuring their safety and comfort. Whether your loved ones are staying for a day or a few weeks, having the right equipment can make all the difference. This guide will walk you through the essential items that will help your elderly relatives feel right at home, while also being easy to store away when not in use. Here are some practical solutions to make their visit smooth and enjoyable.
Key Takeaways
- Safety First – Equip your home with aids to help prevent falls, enabling your loved ones to visit and spend quality time together.
- Ease of Use – Choose items that are easy to set up, transport and store away ensuring they don’t take up space when not needed.
- Comfort and Independence – Providing these aids can significantly enhance the comfort and independence of your elderly relatives.
Table of Contents
- Finding the Right Mobility Aid
- Lightweight and Easy-to-Transport Wheelchairs
- Foldable Walking Sticks
- Toileting Aids
- Supporting Safety when Bathing
- Summary
Finding the Right Mobility Aid
As we age, mobility can become a challenge. Having mobility aids on hand can provide the necessary support to help your relatives move around safely and independently. Mobility aids such as walkers and rollators offer stability and ease of movement. They are particularly useful for those who need a bit of extra help getting around the house or garden.
Top Picks:
- Days Tri Walker – This lightweight aluminum walker is perfect for maneuvering in tight spaces and can be easily folded away when not needed.
- Days Breeze Indoor Rollator – Ideal for indoor use, this modern refresh on the household trolley walker features an easy fold button for compact storage.
- Days Ball Walker – The added ball design makes folding this walker incredibly easy. Ski glides and wheels can also be purchased separately for added functionality over carpeted floors.
- Days Superlite Deluxe Rollator – This walker features a sleek and lightweight frame with a side fold feature, meaning it stays upright for easy transport and storage.
Lightweight and Easy-to-Transport Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are essential tools for individuals who cannot walk long distances or need assistance with mobility. They are especially useful for navigating long driveways or going from the car to the house when parking directly outside your door isn’t possible.
Top Picks:
- Days Swift Lite Wheelchair, Attendant Propelled – The compact lightweight frame makes this a great option for travel with easy transfers in and out of a car. It features a folding backrest and swing-away, removable leg rests for simple and quick storage.
- Days Swift Attendant Propelled Wheelchairs – A versatile option with a lightweight but robust frame that makes transportation and storage simple with no need for tools. Its compact nature and maneuverability make it ideal for navigating shops, restaurants, and tight spaces.
- Days Escape Attendant-Propelled Wheelchair – The durable design of this wheelchair makes it a good option for both indoor and outdoor use. It has been specially designed for ease of transportation and storage without the use of tools.
Foldable Walking Sticks
Walking sticks are a perfect solution for those who need a little extra help with balance and stability, offering confidence when navigating less familiar environments or longer corridors.
Top Picks:
- Folding Patterned Walking Stick – A stylish and functional option that folds away for easy storage. It features a T-Handle and lightweight aluminum frame for durability and strength and comes in a range of beautiful patterns, making it easy to spot!
- Days Folding Walking Stick – This lightweight and easy-to-fold walking stick is ideal for on-the-go use or to store easily so it’s ready whenever you need it.
Toileting Aids
Bathrooms can be tricky spaces due to the risk of slips and falls. Stable support during toileting can greatly reduce these risks and enhance comfort and independence.
Top Picks:
- Homecraft Portable Bidet for Standard Toilet – A practical addition for improved hygiene and comfort, designed to fit standard toilets.
- Homecraft Aluminium Over Toilet Frame with Seat – This all-in-one toilet aid is one of the lightest available on the market, weighing only 3.8kg. Its folding frame design ensures compactness in small spaces, making it perfect for use in any home. Its versatility makes it a great all-round option, with the option to purchase the bucket and lid giving users the potential to use this frame as a shower chair, bedside commode, or bowl with lid.
- The Raised Toilet Seat with Armrests - is an essential addition to your home, enhancing independence and comfort for elderly guests. Ideal for seniors, people with disabilities, and post-hip replacement patients, this seat offers three fixed heights to ensure optimal support and safety. Its moulded plastic design includes a removable lid for easy cleaning, secure lift-up armrests, and a sturdy steel base. Easy to adjust and install, it ensures a comfortable and accessible bathroom experience for your senior visitors.
Supporting Safety when Bathing
Bathing can be particularly hazardous due to wet, slippery surfaces. Bathing aids help prevent falls by providing stability and support, ensuring a safer environment.
Top Picks:
- Homecraft White Line Aluminium Corner Shower Stool – The tripod-shaped frame means this stool fits neatly into the corner of a shower, making optimum use of available space.
- The Homecraft White Line Shower Stool and Chair - are designed to optimize bathroom space with their foldable, height-adjustable aluminium frames and moulded plastic seats featuring a personal cleansing cut-out. Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and easy to assemble, they provide both convenience and modern style.
- Savanah Slatted Bath Board – This is a great option for bath-only setups that offers a safe seating area over the bath.
- Savanah Modular Bath Step – This bath step is designed to provide safety and ease of access getting in and out of a bath or shower. The modular design means it can be easily stored away between uses.
- Homecraft Sure Tread Bath Mats and Shower Mats – Using a non-slip mat gives an extra sense of security, with high-grade medical rubber content and additional suction cups providing a secure stand or sit on wet surfaces.
Summary
Ensuring your home is ready for elderly visitors doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right equipment, you can create a safe and comfortable environment. From compact walkers and wheelchairs to essential toileting and bathing aids, these products are designed to be both functional and easy to store. These small adjustments can make a big difference, ensuring visits are always enjoyable and stress-free.
Explore our range of mobility aids and more at Mobility Shop Direct to find the perfect solutions for your home.
About the Author
Isabel Cunningham-Johns is a Clinical Account Manager at Performance Health and a registered Physiotherapist with over 5 years of experience. Specialising in rehabilitation products, Isabel is passionate about supporting people to live their best lives and engage in the activities they love through innovative solutions and education. When she’s not working with clients, Isabel enjoys surfing and exploring the beautiful NSW coast. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
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