Resource/Tools: 'Home-aids'
What's worked for us. Food for thought, not a promotion.
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I’m Victoria. You can read why I’m publishing Carer Mentor here: Who Started Carer Mentor and Why?
The list of Home Aids we use
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Connecting article:
Personal reflection: 'Home-aids & Starting the Care Discussion'
These days, I have a physical reaction to daytime TV, and it’s not good! When I see retirees in programmes like ‘Escape to the Country’ or ‘A Place in the Sun’, UK television programs where couples search for a new home or holiday home - I cringe. I wince at the remote locations or the stairs and narrow passageways. Not because I have a particular aesthetic style, well, I confess I probably
1. Grab-Handles
Reasons for buying:
Extra handle for leverage off and onto the toilet. A raised toilet frame is worth considering if your loved one / career has significant difficulties. After a GP referral, occupational therapists could supply it. It's a big step change in someone's toileting habits. I'd advise trying the grab handles first, if possible. Consult with your GP.
Safety and reassurance whilst moving around the bathroom, at potential risk spots.
Easy to install and no need for screws, hammers, other fixtures or tools.
Key features:
Wide handles, for weakened hands to grab easily.
Suction pads and small lever to sustain suction per pad. They can be set at a diagonal angle, so the user can push-off. This motion was easier than pulling up for my Dad who had rheumatoid arthritis and gnarled fingers and toes.
There are 2 per pack
Easy to remove and re-install (but can fall off the wall with a bang if suction dissipates)
Important Caveat (thanks,
!) ‘These grab rails are good for casual support. But they won’t hold the full weight of a person.’Verdict:
6+ years of use and still useful. After about a year, one falls off the wall because the vacuum suction dissipates. But, it's easy to clean, reinstall onto the wall
Follow the simple instructions carefully. Wash the surfaces of each pad and dry around it. Apply pressure to make sure the suction is strong before pushing the lever into place.
We have one near the shower door frame for stability.
For those less confident in their steps, especially in the bathroom, these handles offer reassurance. They work best on slippery wall-tile surfaces
A hyperlinked Amazon example: Newthinking Suction Bathroom Grab Rails, Hand Rail for Elderly, Portable Mobility Aids Safety Handle with Suction Cup Fitting, No Fixings Needed for Bathroom, Children and Disability Aids (2 Pack)
2. Motion Sensor Lights
Reasons for buying:
Automatic motion sensor light at night
Floor lighting
Battery operated for random easy placement
Key features:
Motion activated
USB charging (check plug-wire connection) or AA or AAA battery powered
Continuous light or automatic motion setting. Can be mounted or lean on the bottom ridge against the wall
Decided NOT to buy a plug in night light. Some plug in lights have had fire-hazard warnings.
Verdict:
Battery ones work well. The battery runs down every couple of months. So rechargeable may be better. We didn’t use the fixtures because we wanted to be able to move them around.
The rounded table lights looked good, but took up space on the side-table (pills, water are more important).
Look for multi-pack discounts.
Use the buttons below to link to the Monitors on Amazon (FYI I receive a commission as an Amazon affiliate, if you buy through these links).
Usually there is a comparison table to review similar products in terms of features and prices
3. Bedside Rails
Reasons for buying:
Need extra leverage to get up out of bed and sitting onto the bed
Avoid slips and sliding off the bed.
Prevent rolling and slipping between bed and bedside table.
Key features:
Adjustable height (check the detail)
Rubber, easy to hold rail for someone with Rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis
Safety strap to secure rail (check the strap is included)
Solid anchor and handle
Verdict:
The single rail version is solid and good leverage from a lying down position. It’s basic, no frills but fulfils its function very well.
Over the years I bought quite a few things from The Ability Superstore
Bed Transfer Aid
4. Two Handle-Walking stick with light, Stands Alone
Reasons for buying:
Traditional walking sticks need to be propped up, lean on chairs or a wall. When they fall to the ground they create a fall risk
Need soft grip for gnarled rheumatoid hands
Base of walking stick slips & is unsteady
Key features:
Adjustable height, stands up by itself because 5-rubber-foot base
Rubber, foam handles which are easy to hold for someone with Rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis
2nd handle for increased leverage
A light on handle
Verdict:
I bought 2, one for Dad and one for an elderly uncle who had wooden uncarpeted floors. This was particularly useful for my uncle because it did not slip. He could have it standing ready for him, by his chair. One chair was a little low in his sitting room. The stick helped him to pull himself up and out of the chair.
Dad did not use his stick very much because usually we were his support. Holding onto him, behind or to his side. He did use it a few years ago, outside the home, when we were still able to take him out to lunch.
How to measure yourself for a standard walking stick. We need to get the height right.
Ho to use your walking stick by NHS Lanarkshire:
5. Camera, Sound & Movement Monitor
Reasons for buying:
Mum couldn’t hear Dad when she was downstairs
Saved Mum having to go up & downstairs
Dad often moved/awoke but didn’t want help. We could watch to see if he settled.
We couldn’t easily see Dad without switching on the bedroom light
Key features:
Motion and sound-activated, the image appeared immediately
Increase volume as needed
Infrared and 2-way audio works well
Easy to use console
Verdict:
First Choice: The ‘discoball’ camera set with camera & console worked well for Mum to use. I paid £34.58 in 2016. In 2019, this was a key & easy instrument for Carers (Hospice at-home nurses and care assistants) to use without giving each one our Home Wifi key & password. As several people were helping us towards the end, this became an important feature.
The Second Choice: I have bought several picture cameras as security for my own home and for multi-room us home. These c’s home. These cameras are connected to the WiFi of the home, and the App enables you to see the image even when you’re in a different city. The features are principally the same but are not so easy for less-tech-savvy users.
6. Carers UK Preventing Trips and Falls
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What home aids, and support tools have worked for you. Let’s share the ideas/tools!
7. Shower chair versus Swivel-Top Stool
Reasons for buying:
The shower seat that folds up against the wall was not secure. The screws loosened over time. It was not safe
A stool and grab rails were an interim solution.
However, we quickly realised that they were not suitable for Dad with his rheumatoid arthritis. Dad had no arm muscles, and his hands were gnarled and deformed, so he could not grip the handles easily and could not stabilise himself easily.
We needed a stable, seat with arms for some leverage.
A chair with holes would allow water to flow through, and allow a little more space for movement, instead of a stool.
Key features:
Anti-slip, rubber feet with adjustable height.
A broad, comfortable, sturdy seat with drainage holes and a backrest
Arms on the chair so the person has additional support to lower themselves into the chair, and leverage to rise up from the chair
Easy to clean.
Verdict:
The shower chair was essential to our care routine.
We sometimes used the stool with a swivel top around the house, but it became obsolete quite quickly.
Please note: If you live in the UK it’s worth contacting your GP (General Practitioner Doctor) to request a referral to an occupational therapist. There may be a waiting time before you have your appointment. However, an occupational therapist can discuss home aids and support around the home e.g. hand rails for the stairs.
These home-adjustments can be free with the NHS. Occupational Therapy. (OT)
The reality may be that there is a lot of well meaning advice, lots of ideas BUT the intended user may refuse to use any of it.
You may find, as the caregiver, that you’ve orchestrated appointments for the OT to meet your loved one. Dad (to use his words) ‘complied with us’ wanting him to try the equipment in the presence of the OT, then as soon as the door closes on the OT he quoted many reasons why it wouldn’t work, became very frustrated, then angry.
Shower chair, yes. Everything else, no.
Incredibly useful thank you!
This is a very practical and helpful guide / review of products. Thanks for taking the time to compile this list. Saved for future reference.