Tools to Help The Elderly Be More Independent

Mobility...helps with independence.
There is a large variety of tools that are now available for the elderly to help them maintain their independence. From small to large, simple to complex, there is probably a tool that can help assist the senior in your life to accomplish almost any task. The key to finding the right tool is to become educated on what is available. Many seniors and their caregivers assume that there is not a solution to keeping independence but are often wrong.


Here is a brief overview of just a few different types of tools to make the elderly more independent-
  • Bathroom Aids-Many studies have shown that a large majority of accidents take place in the bathroom, and nowhere is that more true than in homes of the elderly. Devices like a bathtub transfer bench, portable grab bar, bathtub safety rail, help insure a secure bathroom experience for your loved one. In addition, there is a large selection of raised toilet seats, shower chairs, rotating shower stools, and other assisted living devices that help make any bathroom safer. The CareGiver Partnership is committed to excellent customer service and are always available to answer any questions that you might have about their products.
  • Medication dispensers-There is now a wide variety of pill dispensers that can help the elderly dispense their own medication, if they are able to. From simple day of the week dispensers, to ones that have alarms for timed medication, and locks to prevent overdose, there is now a pill dispenser for every need. Determining exactly what your senior needs is crucial since many elderly take several different prescriptions that must be monitored. If you are still unsure checking with your senior’s health care provider, or your local aging services, can help you determine the right medication dispenser for you loved one.
  • Mobility devices-These tools are critical for the senior who may have had their mobility limited by illness, or injury yet still want to retain their independence. There is a variety of canes, walkers, and other assistive devices that will help seniors get around safely. They can also use specially designed bags, and baskets, that attach to the devices, that allow them to free up their hands, but still be able to carry needed supplies.
  • Daily living aids-This category of tools are ones that assist the elderly with everyday tasks like dressing, self care, and even reaching for items. Many times arthritis, and other problems, can make dressing a difficult task. A dressing stick with a combination hook/pusher helps put on shirts, jackets, slacks, skirts, etc. There are also tools that help apply lotion, scrub backs, or even make standing easier. Many seniors have suffered falls from getting on step stools, or ladders, to reach items. With a reacher they can safely get items down without risking a fall. You can find many of these items at Caregiverpartnership.com, where offer a wide variety of daily living aids that improve the quality of life for your senior.
  • Safety and monitoring alerts-Many of the elderly can continue to live very independent lives, due in part to the easy availability and affordability of monitoring alerts. These alarms range from the simple devices that can be activated if a concern arises, or alarms that can be triggered should a fall occur. Some alarms are simple battery operated and attached to the telephone (to alert caregivers or EMS), while others go directly to a monitoring company. This type of tool provides peace of mind both for the senior, and the caregiver, who could be concerned but unable to be there all the time. 
About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visit http://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.

1 comments:

Kara Jeane said...

I've always found safety monitoring alerts to be crucial for enabling seniors to live on their own. While I'd love for my mother to live independently and therefore happily for the rest of her days, the reality is that if I want her safe, unhurt, and supported, someone would always need to be physically around. However, she is still at that age where she is healthy and mobile. It's just that you never know what may happen and when or how that mobility will end. For now, a monitoring system has been our best solution. She has help 24/7 if she needs it, but doesn't need us bugging her when she doesn't need it.

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