Ten Things To Consider When Elevating the Needs of Seniors

Seniors need more than just tender care. They also need items that can help them move around and access places that they normally don’t have access to. A good example is a wheelchair or even a simple walking stick, but these items are not enough.

They will also need items that will help them move up and down the stairs, enter and leave vehicles, sit on chairs, relax outdoors and do various other activities that they are unable to do on their own. And if you need even more information do check out these tips and help resources for the Elderly.

In order to provide the elderly with the help and support they need, you will need to provide them with the following items.


 

Walkers and Canes

Walkers and Canes

Walkers and canes should be on the top of your list of items to give to ageing seniors. Walking is the first problem that older people encounter when they reach a certain age, which is why they will need items that will help them walk around or at least support their weight. Walkers and canes are fairly simple devices, but they can play a big role in keeping elderly people happy, healthy and on the go.

Rollators

Rollators

If walkers and canes don’t work then go buy a rollator for your senior. A rollator is essentially a heavy duty rolling walker, and most can support up to 400 pounds. They also have padded seats, backrests as well as loop brakes for added comfort.

Rollators are also easy to fold and manoeuvre and certain variants may even help elderly people move through difficult areas. They are also lightweight and their folding features allow for easy storage. So if your aged parent or grandparent likes to move around or have fun outdoors, then you should definitely buy them a rollator.

Rising Assistance Devices

Rising Assistance Devices

Mobility is important, but it’s not the only thing that your senior should worry about. Elderly people also need help getting up from bed or rising from chairs, and that’s what rising assistance devices are for.

Rising assistance device includes a wide variety of items. Couch canes and bed caddies are a couple of good examples, but there are plenty of other items out there. There are even rising assistance devices which can be combined with other devices to further assist seniors.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are fairly self-explanatory. There are manual ones and of course more advanced electric wheelchairs. If your elderly parent or grandparent can’t walk, then they will need a wheelchair, and there’s plenty of them to choose from. Some wheelchair variants will even allow seniors to be carried up the stairs or climb into a car. Others can help them climb on to the bed or relax at the park. So choose a wheelchair that’s appropriate for your senior’s needs.

Accessories

Accessories

Finally, you should look for accessory items. These may include baskets and bags which can be attached to walkers and wheelchairs. They may also include special items that can protect seniors from injuries, such as knee pads and elbow pads for the elderly for example.

Any item that helps seniors move around is something that you should consider. So don’t hesitate to look at as many options as you want. Sometimes, elevating a senior’s needs also means making things convenient for them.

Stair Lifts

Stair Lifts

It’s not always possible for Seniors to live in ground-floor flats or bungalows so for those times a good quality stairlift is essential. While many of them have low weight limits there are still some specialist designs that can allow for much larger framed people.

Specialist Diet

Specialist Diet

You might not consider a diet to be an aid for helping seniors go about their daily lives, but to many who have specialist diety needs its an important part of the care for both health and mobility! Some might even require higher or lower tables to eat from and you can even get tables with easily adjustable heights.

Paths and other Surfaces

Paths and other Surfaces

So you have got them the walking aids they need, but have you considered the types of surface they will be walking on? Stone or gravel paths are a nightmare for people will rollers of zimmer frames so do make sure the paths and surfaces they use to get out of the house are suitable with the walking aids they require.

Home Elevators

Home Elevators

Installing a single person elevator in the house sounds like something that would cost an awful lot of money, but you will be surprised at how cheap and affordable some of them are. If getting a stairlift isn’t possible this might well be the second option, especially given those home elevators have much higher weight limits.

Create A Checklist That Matches Your Senior's Needs

Create A Checklist That Matches Your Senior’s Needs

Before you start buying a set of items to help improve your parent or grandparent’s mobility and accessibility, consider their specific needs. Most seniors need walkers and walking aids, but not all of them need crutches.

It’s best to have everything ready just in case the worst happens, but since we have to worry about our budgets, it’s important to make a checklist that prioritizes your senior’s specific needs. For example, if your aged parent or grandparent has trouble getting up from the bed, then you will need to prioritize a rising assist device to help them with this problem.

Aside from creating your own list of items to buy, you should also visit sites that offer information on how to keep seniors mobile. Specialized sites, like www.ElevatingSeniors.com which offer information on items designed to help seniors, are a good start, but there are plenty of other options that you can try. Once you have your priorities sorted out, you can start looking for the items your senior needs.

The items mentioned here are only the bare minimum of what seniors need in their homes, but they’re a good start. Without the right set of items, some seniors remain bedridden or are unable to move from a particular area. Providing them such tools will not only allow seniors to move around, but they can also help caregivers and nursing aids do their work.

Author: Gus Barge

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