Equipment for Seniors
There are hundreds of equipment for seniors that claim to make life easier for seniors. This guide will describe and assist you in choosing products that will help your parents.
As a health care professional, I educate families and their parents on ways to make their lives safer and easier.
This guide provides you with the information to make good decisions about elder care products... from walkers to shower chairs.
This article covers:
Bathroom Products
- Raised toilet seat
- Toilet safety frame
- Commode
- Bath bench
- Shower chair
- Bath lift
- Bath rail
- Grab bars
- Hand held shower
- Long handled sponge
Bedroom Products
- Bed rail
- Bed risers
- Blanket support
- Bed wedge
Mobility Products
- Wheelchair
- Power wheelchair
- Transport wheelchair
- Shower wheelchair
- Elderly scooter
- 4 wheel walker
- Front wheel walker
- Folding walker
- Walking Cane
Communication Products
- Cell phones for seniors
- Amplified phones
- Elderly Medical Alert
Dressing Products
- Long shoe horn
- Elastic laces
- Sock aid
- Reacher
BATHROOM PRODUCTS
Raised Toilet Seat
Description of equipment for seniors: Removable devices that raise the toilet seat height by 3-4 inches.
Who should use it: Individuals who have difficulty bending or sitting on low surfaces.
More information on Raised Toilet Seats
Toilet Safety Frame
Description of equipment for seniors: Securely attaches to the toilet to provide stability and security while sitting down and standing up.
Who should use it: Individuals who need additional support to sit and stand.
More information on Toilet Safety Frames
Commode
Description of equipment for seniors: Can be placed by the individual's bedside so they do not have to walk very far to go to the bathroom.
Who should use it: Individuals who are at risk for falls or have a difficult time traveling to the bathroom because of the location of the bathroom.
More information on Commodes
Bath Bench
Description of equipment for seniors: Benches that extend beyond the edge of the bathtub which makes it easier to transfer in and out.
Who should use it: Individuals with mobility difficulties. For example, those who use crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair. Transfer benches will help them safely transfer in and out of the tub without being at risk for slipping and falling.
More information on Bath Benches
Shower Chair
Description of equipment for seniors: A chair that provides a comfortable seating surface for bathing or showering.
Who should use it: Individuals who have low endurance, or difficulty standing in the shower or tub.
More information on Shower Chairs
Bath Lift
Description of equipment for seniors: Raises and lowers the user into the bathtub. Powered by battery or water power.
Who should use it: Individuals who enjoy taking a bath yet are at risk for falling or slipping due to decreased endurance or poor balance.
More information on Bath Lifts
Bath Rail
Description of equipment for seniors: A grab bar that attaches to the side of the tub, which helps provide additional support while moving in and out of the tub.
Who should use it: Individuals who have difficulty moving in and out of the tub and need additional support to prevent slipping and falling.
More information on Bath Rails
Grab Bars
Description of equipment for seniors: Grab bars come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be placed in the shower, beside the toilet, in the bathtub and many other locations.
Who should use it: Individuals who need extra support moving in and out of the shower, on and off the toilet and many other places.
More information on Grab Bars
Hand Held Shower
Description of equipment for seniors: Allows the user to move the shower head.
Who should use it: Individuals who use a shower chair or transfer bench as they can shower more easily with this device.
More information on Hand Held Showers
Long Handled Sponge
Description of equipment for seniors: They come in a variety of lengths and have a long handle with a sponge at the end.
Who should use it: Individuals with limited joint movement can benefit from the long length and bendable features which make it an ideal bathing sponge.
More information on Long Handled Sponges
BEDROOM PRODUCTS
Bed Rail
Description: Securely attaches to the bed to provide assistance to individuals who have difficulty getting in and out of bed.
Who should use it: Individuals who need additional support to get in and out of bed.
More information on Bed Rails for Elderly
Bed Risers
Description: Raises the bed height from 2-6 inches. Comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Who should use it: Individuals who have difficulty getting up and down from lower surfaces.
More information on Bed Risers
Blanket Support
Description: Lifts up the blankets and sheets so that they do not touch the users feet.
Who should use it: Individuals recovering from injury or surgery, suffering from bunions and ingrown toenails, joint pain and arthritis, and other foot and leg problems.
More information on Blanket Supports
Bed Wedge
Description: Designed to elevate the upper body or legs, or to use as a trunk stabilizer when side-lying.
Who should use it: Individuals with problem breathing, poor circulation, hiatus hernia, back or neck problems.
More information on Bed Wedges
MOBILITY PRODUCTS
Wheelchair
Description: A self-propelled wheelchair that comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.
Who should use it: Individuals who have difficulty walking due to endurance, balance or neurological issues.
More information on Wheelchairs
Transport Wheelchair
Description: Similar to a manual wheelchair although is not designed to be self-propelled. The individual using the wheelchair is often pushed by another person. It is easier to transport in a vehicle as they are lighter, have smaller wheels and are more compact when folded.
Who should use it: Individuals that need a wheelchair for longer distances and have someone that can assist them (by pushing the chair).
More information on Transport Wheelchairs
Shower Wheelchair
Description: A wheelchair that is designed to get wet so that it can be used in the shower.
Who should use it: Individuals who use a wheelchair and have a roll-in shower. Can be self-propelled or pushed by a caregiver.
More information on Shower Wheelchairs
Power Wheelchair
Description: A wheelchair that is powered by an electric motor. Come in a variety of shapes, sizes and features.
Who should use it: Individuals who have difficulty walking and are not suitable for manual wheelchair due to decreased endurance or neurological issues.
More information on Power Wheelchairs
Elderly Scooter
Description: An elderly scooter mainly designed for traveling outside of the home.
Who should use it: Individuals who have difficulty walking longer distances. Can be good alternatives to driving or public transportation for short trips.
More information on Elderly Scooters
4 Wheel Walker
Description: A walker with four wheels, brakes and usually a basket. Comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and features.
Who should use it: Individuals who have balance or endurance difficulties and are at risk for falls.
More information on 4 Wheel Walkers
Front Wheel Walker
Description: A walker with wheels on the two front legs. Come in a variety of shapes, sizes and features.
Who should use it: Individuals who have balance or endurance difficulties and are at risk for falls.
More information on Front Wheel Walkers
Folding Walker
Description: A walker without wheels. Comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Who should use it: Individuals who have balance or endurance difficulties and are at risk for falls.
More information on Folding Walkers
Walking Cane
Description: A single point walking cane. Comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Who should use it: Individuals who have slight balance or endurance difficulties.
More information on Walking Canes
COMMUNICATION PRODUCTS
Cell Phones for Seniors
Description: A cell phone designed for seniors with larger buttons and user friendly features.
Who should use it: Individuals who could benefit from a phone that has larger buttons and easy to use features.
More information on Cell Phones for Seniors
Amplified Phones
Description: Phones designed for seniors. Larger buttons and amplified volume options.
Who should use it: Individuals that have difficulty hearing.
More information on Amplified Phones
Elderly Medical Alert
Description: An emergency system that the individual wears on their wrist or around their neck that they can push to signal local authorities that they need help. Most communities have a system in place that require a monthly subscription fee.
Who should use it: Individuals who are at risk for falls, especially those that live alone.
More information on Elderly Medical Alert
DRESSING AIDS
Long Shoe Horn
Description: Just as the names suggests... a long handled shoe horn.
Who should use it:Individuals who have difficulty reaching and bending down to put their shoes on.
More information on Long Shoe Horns
Elastic Laces
Description: Elastic laces that tie like regular laces but enable the user to slip into the shoe.
Who should use it: Individuals who have difficulty bending and reaching to tie their shoe laces.
More information on Elastic Laces
Sock Aid
Description: Device that allows users to pull socks on without reaching or bending down to their feet.
Who should use it: Individuals who have difficulty bending and reaching.
More information on Sock Aids
Reacher
Description: Device that allows users to pick up and move items without bending or reaching. Come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Who should use it: Individuals who have difficulty bending and reaching.
More information on Reachers
Photo used under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
