8 Daily living aids to make you more comfortable at home
As we age, our bones, joints and muscles begin to weaken and may not be as strong as they once were. Some tasks require more effort while others may seem close to impossible. But, getting older does not have to mean that life gets harder. There are many daily living aids that are here to help with all tasks, great and small.
Daily living aids help with all types of daily activities such as sitting in a chair, going to the toilet, having a shower, preparing food, eating and taking medication. These aids can provide the necessary addition to make that hard to do task a lot easier and lead to day to day improvements, efficiency and productivity.
SUPPORTIVE CUSHION
Sitting for a long time may place your back, spine and muscles under excessive stress and strain, worsening with old age, which can cause pain, discomfort and possible injury. Cushions can be used to help in this situation to provide support for internal structures. Cushions are a great way to give yourself a comfortable, well-supportive seat while being kind to your body and supporting your back and its structures.
OVERBED TABLE
Overbed tables are the perfect solution to deliver a surface to place food, drinks, books etc. The overbed table is easy and convenient and a great addition to everyday living for those who are confined to their beds or often use a chair that they remain sitting in for extended periods of time.
WALKING AID
Walking aids come in many forms, including walking frames, walking sticks and canes, seat walkers/rollators, and crutches. Before deciding on a particular aid, you should chat with a Doctor or Occupational Therapist to assess your needs and ensure you have the skills and capacity to use the chosen walking aid. Although some people may be reluctant initially to use a walking aid due to feelings of reduced independence, they will likely soon enjoy the confidence and peace of mind it gives them to move more freely.
LIGHTWEIGHT WHEELCHAIR
Lightweight structures and designs are perfect for everyday transit wheelchairs that need to be pushed around rather than self-propelled. A lightweight construction makes the wheelchairs easier to move and transport allowing for easier and longer use. Some lightweight wheelchairs will also have a foldable frame. This will allow you to fold up the chair and place it in your car permitting the chair to be used in any location.
SCOOTER
Wheelchairs aren’t the only option for people with mobility issues. Electric scooters are also an excellent aid for those that require assistance getting from one location to another. However, while wheelchairs are often ideal for use in the home, the large size and turning circle of scooters often make them difficult to operate in smaller spaces. As such, they are often better suited to outdoor use.
OVER TOILET AID
An over toilet aid is a very common daily living aid. Over toilet aids are mainly used to assist in toilet transfers and for those who have difficulty lowering themselves down onto the toilet. Over the toilet aids come in all shapes and sizes and should be chosen based on the user. Some special features include adjustable heights, hand rails for extra support and stability, splash guards, lids and rubber non-slip feet.
SHOWER CHAIR
Showering can be a dangerous activity when falling is a factor. Some people may not be able to hold themselves upright for a long period of time or may suffer from immobility or instability, which can cause issues with showering. A shower chair offers a seat that can be used directly in the shower. Shower chairs are made with high quality materials that don’t rust allowing them to continuously be used under water. Rubber non-slip feet and drainage holes in the chair seat ensure the chair is shower friendly.
REACHER GRABBERS
Daily activities can become very difficult, time consuming and possibly painful when you are having trouble bending down and picking things up. For people who suffer with painful backs, stiff hips and mobility problems, reaching can become almost impossible. A reacher grabber is a wonderful little tool that provides that extra necessary assistance to help grab and pick up items that might be out of reach. This handy tool has a very user-friendly, lightweight design with a comfy hand-grip and trigger that activates the grabbing function.
Daily living aids are a wonderful, life changing solution for so many individuals. They offer support and assistance in a wide range of areas to ensure your daily life isn’t majorly affected by any impairments, problems or issues you may have.
HOW ALLCARE CAN HELP: MY AGED CARE
Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to access the following aids through your Home Care Package.
Walking aids like crutches, quadruped walkers, walking frames, walking sticks
Mechanical devices for lifting you in and out of bed
Bed rails
Aids like slide sheets, sheepskins, tri-pillows
Pressure-relieving mattresses.
If you’re interested in a daily living aid talk to your Client Engagement Manager about a possible solution and possibility of inclusion in your funding.