3 Short-Term Solutions For Senior Accessibility At Home

When you design a new home, you might want to keep the needs of a senior in mind, especially if you are the primary caregiver of the senior. But if you have never lived with an elderly in your home and you want to make sure that the senior feels comfortable in the home during his or her stay, then you should think of some changes that need to be made at your home to allow a senior to feel comfortable.

Though most of us cannot buy a smart apartment for meeting the needs of a senior, we are capable of making small changes that will help a senior to feel more independent and move around with ease. If you are not sure where to start making the changes and which products do you need to buy or rent, then it is advised that you spend some time with the senior before letting him or her move into your home. It will let you know whether the senior needs a wheelchair to move around or not, whether a senior can take a bath on his/her own or not and whether a senior can climb steps or not.

When you have a clear idea on the mobility needs of a senior, you will be able to find custom solutions that meet the needs. Though there are many solutions for senior accessibility at home you need to consider, here is a list of top 3 short term solutions for senior accessibility at home that most of you will find handy. Have a look and order these three products right away.

1. A Raised Toilet Seat

Believe it or not, many seniors face problems in using the toilet on their own, and they don’t talk about it usually because they are embarrassed by this problem. When you are caring for a senior, you should make the senior comfortable enough to ensure that he or she speaks about all his or her mobility problems.

If the senior has problems in using the toilet, then you should invest in a low cost raised toilet seat that can fit standard as well as elongated toilets. You should pick a product that’s made up of soft material like Styrofoam, has appropriate dimensions, good weight capacity (to accommodate obese seniors) and is easy to maintain.

2. A Shower Chair

Senior often feel that they can’t move around in the shower as they used to because they are afraid of falling and injuring themselves. If you suspect that the senior you are taking care of is reluctant to take showers regularly, then you need to consider investing in a shower chair.

While picking the shower chair, make sure that you buy it from a renowned seller like Mobb Healthcare, and you choose a product that can rotate 360 degrees to allow a senior wash off every part of his or her body without any assistance. Make sure that the chair has a molded seat to allow a senior to feel comfortable. It must also have drainage holes to ensure that there are no slipping accidents. It would also be good if the chair you have chosen offers features like removable armrests, adjustable legs, a lock system, ample padding, rustproof features, and easy assembly among others.

3. Wheelchair Gel Cushion

Another product that you need to add to your list is a wheelchair gel cushion which is especially essential for patients who are partially or totally dependent on a wheelchair to move around. As sitting on a wheelchair for long can be quite painful and uncomfortable, you should not cut corners on budget while buying this product. Make sure that the cushion you buy not only has gel but some foam elements as well as it will provide therapeutic effectiveness.

The cushion you buy should also have hand straps to ensure easy positioning and should be meant to last for long. The senior should get maximum possible comfort and stability from the cushion and should approve of it. So, make sure a senior try it as soon as it is delivered at your home.

Rent or Buy?

Many people face the rent or buy decision when it comes to buying stuff for seniors for a short time. Though the decision usually depends on your purchasing power and your willingness to spend money on a senior, we have some advice for you.

You should rent such equipment if the senior is not planning to stay with you for long or if the senior is otherwise healthy but has suffered from a minor injury like a fracture which will be healed soon. In contrast, you should buy the equipment if the senior intends to be with you for long and if you don’t want to offer anything used to a loved one.

Though older adults are more active than ever these days,  it doesn’t mean that they will stay mobile for the rest of their lives. So, you as a caregiver should have the equipment ready for them if and when they need it.