As we grow old, we do not have the same strength and mobility as we did when we were younger. This is a normal process that happens to everyone, as growing old is a part of everyone’s lives. Unfortunately, as a person gets older, the chance of falling and getting injured increases. It is a combination of our reduced mobility and the fact that our bones are not as strong when we are older as they were when we were teenagers. So, to avoid injuries, we have to change our lifestyle and be a lot more careful.
Luckily, now more than ever, there are many useful devices that can increase mobility. These devices do not only allow a person to move more easily, but they make their daily life a lot safer. There are devices you can use outside, or in your home, and the point of all of them is to make your life easier and to help you avoid any possible injuries. In today’s article, we will discuss a few things that can be used at home for such purposes.
Stairlifts are a great tool for people whose mobility issues do not allow them to walk up the stairs safely, or to people to whom this process causes a lot of pain. The technology of stairlifts is simple, yet very effective. A stairlift has a motorized chair connected to a track which is attached to the wall of the stairway. When you want to use it, you just sit in the secure seat and safely go up or down the stairs. And do not worry, the chair will not go too fast so there is no chance of getting injured due to inertia. Another great advantage that most stairlifts have is the call and send button that you can use if somebody else needs it. So, in any case, nobody has to risk any potential injuries.
There is a wide variety of stairlifts you can find out there. Depending on your financial abilities, you have the choice of either getting new or used stairlifts from Stairlift Helper, nevertheless, they will serve their purpose. And depending on the type of your stairway, you can get a different type of stairlift. These include straight, curved as well as outdoor stairlifts.
When it comes to the installation process, the straight ones, no matter if they are indoor or outdoor, require minimal time. But, if you need a curved stairlift, keep in mind that it might take a bit longer. Unlike the straight ones that use standard rails, curved stairlifts take longer to be installed because their rails need to be customized to your stairway.
Grab bars and benches are a useful tool that can increase your safety in the bathroom. A slippery bathroom floor can be dangerous for anyone, and especially for senior citizens. The injuries among the elderly that are a consequence of getting on and off the toilet are more often than you think. So, if you need to increase the safety of your home, and your bathroom is not secured yet, make sure you install bars and benches. They are not at all expensive but can provide you with the necessary support. Hold onto them while you are sitting down or getting up. Not only will they be there for you if you start to fall, but will make the whole process less physically demanding.
Even though bars and benches are the most useful in the bathroom, you can install them in other places as well. There is no reason why you would not put them in your living room or your bedroom. They can be especially useful for people whose mobility does not allow them to move well without a cane or a walker. This way, if you want to move around the house, you can always use the bars, or if you lose balance, they will always be there so you can hold onto them.
Getting out of bed represents a big struggle for a lot of senior citizens, as injuries are unfortunately possible. If this is the case for you as well, consider installing a bed rail. A bed rail is a simple, yet very effective tool that can increase your mobility when you want to get up from the bed. When you are in a lying-down position, you just simply pull on the handle which allows getting into a sitting position at the side of the bed. Then, you can push off the railing to support yourself as you get into standing. So, if you usually reach for the chair or your cane to help you in getting up, you might want to consider getting a bed rail. Not only is it more convenient, but it is a lot safer as well.
Many people are not aware that flooring is one of the most important safety elements for elderly people. Since many injuries such as hip fractures happen at home because of slippery floors, or carpets, it is important to do something to prevent this from happening. This is why one of the best ways to make your flooring safer is by introducing adhesive carpets into your rooms.
Adhesive carpets are a very powerful tool that can allow you to move freely without worrying whether you will get injured in your own home. Unlike regular carpets that are often slipping on wooden floors or tiles, the adhesive ones will stay in their place. So, if you are thinking of redecorating your home to be more elderly person-friendly, make sure you check how adhesive your carpets are.
No matter how old we are, our health and safety should be our number one priority. When we are young, we do not worry too much about these kinds of things, but as we get older, we realize there are certain things we need to do to stay healthy as long as possible. Luckily, we live in the twenty-first century and there are so many tools and devices that can make our lives easier. If you did not know which ones can increase your safety at home, we hope reading through our article has helped you.
