Limited mobility in older adults is often due to common changes that happen with aging. Stiffness and pain from arthritis, trouble with balance after a stroke, slower reflexes, and other challenges can make getting around harder. They can also increase your risk of falling. And falls are the second leading cause of injury-related deaths worldwide, making it even more important to avoid a fall at home. 1
Older adults are often resistant to using mobility aids and tools that could help improve their mobility and safety. It’s normal to want to be as independent as possible and to feel like other people see you as capable and strong. It can also be inconvenient to have an accessory that you need to take everywhere you go.
However, tools for safe mobility can ultimately help you keep your independence. Not only can they make activities of daily living easier, but they can also prevent serious injuries that could lead to permanent disability or worse.
Let’s take a look at some helpful tools that you can use around your home to help you stay active and injury-free.
Before you choose tools for safe mobility
When safe mobility at home is a concern, ask your doctor about ordering a home safety assessment for you.
This evaluation is often covered under Medicare Part B, and a physical therapist (PT) or occupational therapist (OT) will come to your home and identify safety concerns and fall risks. They can also make recommendations on tools that would be most helpful for your specific situation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also developed a mobility planning tool called MyMobility Plan that you can use to help identify strategies for improving your safety and mobility. 2
Tools that help with walking
Whether your goal is just to get around your home more easily or to continue walks around the neighborhood or grocery store, there are a few helpful tools that you can use.
1. Walker
If balance or weakness is a worry for you, and you find yourself needing to hold on to furniture or walls to get from room to room, a walker can be a great solution around the house. Adjustable in height, the stiff legs give you a sturdy base to lean on as you move around, and can help you get out of beds and chairs.
2. Rollator or rolling walker
This advanced style of walker has heavy-duty wheels, and can even come equipped with a hand brake and a bench for rest breaks. Being able to sit on the rollator can help with tasks like cooking and washing dishes, or reaching laundry without as much bending.
These walkers work well on outdoor terrain as well as indoor and come in larger sizes that can accommodate heavier adults, too.
3. Canes
Canes come in a variety of styles, from a single tip to a broader base with four feet attached. This tool can give you some extra balance if you don’t need the same level of support a walker gives. It’s also more easily portable. Choosing a cane is best done with the advice of a physical therapist or physician. 3
4. Mobility scooter
A mobility scooter can be the difference between being homebound and enjoying more independence for many people. If walking long distances is difficult, a mobility scooter can let you navigate the grocery store easily, or participate in long walks around the neighborhood. Most scooters have a range of several miles on a full charge.
Tools that help with climbing stairs
If you live in a two-story home, the stairs may become a big obstacle if you have mobility and balance difficulties. Some people have the option of moving a bedroom to the first floor, but not being able to access an entire floor of the home is still inconvenient. How can you improve this?
1. Stair railing modifications
Simply adding stair rail grip tape can make holding on to the stair rail easier. A more advanced option would be a device like the StairSteady, which provides a sliding handle attached to the stair rail to help support you as you climb up and down the stairs.
2. Stair lift systems
Take climbing out of the equation entirely by adding a lift system to the stairs. These motorized chairs ride along the staircase and give you a ride up or down without the risk of missing a step, losing your balance, and having a dangerous fall.
3. Improve the steps, too
Having a secure grasp and support for climbing is important, but don’t forget that keeping your footing is a big part of safe stair climbing. Adding accessories like non-slip strips and lighting to the steps can make them less slippery and more visible. Painting each step with contrasting colors can help with visibility too if you have vision problems.
Other tools that enhance safe mobility
Along with the above tools, adding other equipment around the house that removes barriers can help you avoid dangerous situations. Some of these are very simple additions and some incorporate the latest technology to help you with activities of daily living.
1. Use a grabber
A long-handled grabber can help you reach items without bending or even walking in some cases. If an item is just out of reach and moving to retrieve it would put you off-balance, a grabber eliminates the problem in a safe and simple way.
2. Grab bars
Well-placed grab bars in the bathroom– a wet spot prone to falls due to slick floors– can give you another way to steady yourself when using the toilet or taking a shower or bath. These can be permanently attached to the wall, or look for options with strong suction that can be added to tile walls without tools.
3. Add more lighting
Getting around is always easier if you can see where you’re going. Making sure your path through the house is well-lit is easy with technology like smart light bulbs. These can be set to turn on and off at specific times of day, or even when you arrive home from being away. Be sure to add extra lamps to areas that are not well-lit, too– whether you use special technology or not.
4. Use a power recliner
Sometimes just getting up and getting going is a big part of the challenge. Combining a power recliner that lifts you to a standing position with a rollator, for example, can help you get from a seated position to standing and walking more easily and safely. Be sure to give yourself a little time to adjust to standing up before you start moving forward.
An extra pair of hands goes a long way
All of the tools discussed here can help you maintain your independence around the home. But don’t overlook the value of hands-on help from a professional caregiver, either.
A personal care aide can provide you with extra assistance with activities of daily living and with mobility- helping you safely transfer to a wheelchair, for example, or offering support with a gait belt while you climb the stairs.
And just having an arm to lean on can be the boost you need to stay safe while moving around your home– which is where most older adults would prefer to live as they age.
If adding in-home care to your everyday toolkit is something you’ve considered but aren’t sure where or how to start, Caresify’s expert team can help you create a personalized plan of care to meet your needs. You can call 888-799-5007 or read more about the kinds of services available here.
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