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Finding ways to improve home safety for elderly during the aging process can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be with these 7 types of medical rentals.
It’s not easy to watch our elderly family members age, especially if they struggle with physical or mental health concerns. For many, age comes with a litany of health and mobility issues.
We eventually have to start assessing whether or not it is safe for our loved ones to stay in their homes — and that’s a difficult conversation to have.
How Can We Improve Home Safety for Elderly?
The good news is there are quite a number of strategies to help make a home safer for an elderly family member to live in.
Using these methods, senior loved ones maintain their independence; you get peace of mind.
The better news? You don’t have to buy everything you need outright, either.
Many of these products are rentable from your local pharmacy or medical supply, making them a great option for patients with short-term needs (e.g., post-illness or fall recovery).
Option #1: Hospital Beds
An elderly family member who has been sick, is terminally ill, or who has a mobility issue due to a fracture or break can often benefit from a hospital bed.
The adjustable height makes it easier to get in and out of bed each day, while the ability to raise the head or legs makes the elevation needed for healing a breeze.
Being able to adjust the bed also makes it easier for caregivers to assist an elderly loved one with changing, dressing, or performing other activities of daily living.
You’ll find a wide array of styles out there, from the simple and effective manual crank bed to complex equipment that rely on an electrical connection to work.
Ultimately, your goal is to ensure you buy a bed that’s easy for both you and your senior loved one to adjust as is needed.
Option #2: Patient Lifts
Elderly family members who can’t push themselves upright to get in and out of bed can still live safely at home with the right supports.
Lift packages come with the tools necessary to get up and out of bed, and are typically used to shift patients from bed to a chair or wheelchair.
Each lift comes with its own unique adaptations to improve home safety for elderly.
- Some patients need grab bars they can use to pull their upper bodies into position
- Others need full body slings so they can be moved gently or lifted, and then settled back down into the new location.
Lifts also make caregiver’s lives easier, too, by reducing the amount of strength needed to help a senior patient adjust position.
This greatly reduces the risk for injury when moving another person around. Caregivers who have to bend over and lift another person’s body weight are at a very high risk of developing injuries otherwise.
Option #3: Wheelchairs
Is your loved one experiencing mobility issues that prevent the use of a walker or some other assistive device? Perhaps they lack the upper arm strength or suffer from Osteoporosis.
A wheelchair rental may be just what you need to give them support and encourage moderate independence.
A wheelchair can make it easier for your elderly loved one to get around both inside the house and outside.
One small note: if you intend to a buy a wheelchair, it’s best to see a physical therapist first.
- To fully improve home safety of elderly loved ones, it’s important that you choose the right chair with the right fit.
- Your senior loved one also must learn how to navigate and transfer with or without help.
Learning these strategies reduces the risk of falls during transport.
Option #4: Transport Chairs
Is your elderly loved one capable of getting around inside, yet struggles with walking or moving around for long distances?
A transport chair may be a better option than a full wheelchair for a variety of reasons:
- They’re slightly smaller and are a little easier to fold up and lift into a car or van.
- They are designed with smaller wheels and features, making them better for short transport needs.
It’s better to opt for a full-sized wheelchair if you plan on using the chair for the long-haul, especially if you’re still active and like to take your loved ones shopping or for walks outside.
Option #5: Wheelchair Ramps
Depending on their living situation, your elderly family member may need a wheelchair ramp to make it possible to get in and out of the house.
Wheelchair ramps are an essential part in improving home safety for elderly family members in wheelchairs.
It is very important to rent a wheelchair ramp from a reputable ramp company or have one professionally installed. The ADA has certain guidelines that must be followed to prevent injury.
Ultimately, the number of stairs you have to overcome will determine the length of the ramp, which is important when it comes to creating a safe and functionable incline.
Steep inclines are not safe for your loved one or the person attempting to push the wheelchair.
Option #6: Knee Walkers
Did your loved one hurt a foot or ankle? Do they still have good balance and flexibility?
A knee walker may be the perfect solution for solving mobility issues and improving home safety for elderly patients.
This device is similar to a scooter, but has a knee rest for the injured leg.
While knee walkers are a terrific option for post-injury healing, they aren’t necessarily a great idea for anyone who can’t put pressure from the upper body through the knee of the injured leg.
A person with severe knee arthritis, for example, may find a knee walker uncomfortable to use and may be better off with a traditional walker.
Option #7: Electric Scooters
Electric scooters are an awesome option for those who have mobility issues but are still spry of mind and free from cognitive impairments that hinder balance.
The downside to an electric scooter is that you will need to be able to transport it when you go out, which means either having a transport van or some sort of adaptation on the back of your vehicle for safe transport of the scooter.
One alternative is to use the scooter at home and have a backup transport chair or wheelchair for shorter outings.
Conclusion
There are so many benefits of utilizing medical rentals to improve safety and enhance the ability for your loved ones to age happily. Depending on your circumstances, consider utilizing the following rentals:
- Hospital beds
- Patient lifts
- Wheelchairs
- Transport chairs
- Wheelchair ramps
- Knee walkers
- Electric Scooters
There are, of course, other things you can do to improve home safety for elderly family members.
- Keep stairs free of clutter
- Make sure cords and other trip hazards are tucked out of the way
- Consider installing grab bars in the shower area to prevent falls
You don’t need to run out and buy expensive pieces of medical equipment, especially if your family member is simply recovering from a short-term illness or injury.
The safer the home, the easier it will be for your loved one to recovery.