The holidays can be stressful enough, don’t run the risk of an injury from a fall. Mobility aids like canes and ramps can help to reduce the risks of a fall, which can lower your chances of sustaining an injury. Falls are the leading cause of accidental fatality among seniors; don’t let an accident spoil your festive holiday. Consider the following mobility aids that can make the holidays a little bit easier!
The holidays will be here soon; if you have a physical disability or mobility challenge, consider quality mobility aids to make life easier. From shower seats and stairlifts to simple grab bars and portable ramps, you can reduce your risk of an accident or injury while making everyday ADLs (activities of daily life) more convenient and comfortable.
Make the holidays a little easier this year with these mobility aids:
Ramps
Getting in and out of your home is a lot simpler with a ramp. Ramps help anyone traverse steep or narrow steps with ease. Ramps can be used for entry into the home or to smooth out a threshold inside and make it safer to navigate. Did you know that you can also buy portable or temporary ramps, too? These can be folded and taken with you, so you have access and accessibility wherever you go. These are a viable option for individuals with temporary needs, like recovering from surgery or an injury. Consider how a ramp can make the holidays a little easier this year!
Grab Bars
Another simple, easy-to-install option is a grab bar, or two! Grab bars can be securely installed to provide a means of support in areas of the home that could precipitate a nasty fall. For example, grab bars near the top and bottom of stairs or steps make sense, and they can offer a sturdy and stable spot to grab when approaching stairs. Another prudent place for a grab bar is near the sink, toilet, and shower. Talk to a mobility professional to find out more or to purchase grab bars for the holiday this year.
Reaching Tools
Another often overlooked aid that is perfect for the holidays- including gifting- is a reaching tool. These ‘reachers’ or ‘grabbers’ reduce the risk of you needing to reach and fall, providing an extended arm to grasp the items that you need. These typically have a claw on the end that is simple to operate, allowing you to reach in, under, or overhead to access needed items, objects, or belongings. Reaching tools are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, so they are a convenient way to enhance access with no installation or hassle. There are many to choose from, too; search online for tools with features that make the most sense for you.
Stairlifts
If you really want to improve accessibility around your home for the holidays, consider how a stairlift can change life for the better. Stairlifts open a whole new range of opportunities for those who struggle with climbing stairs. Ascending and descending stairs is no longer an exhaustive or risky chore and don’t worry there is a stairlift that will fit and work in every home. From curved and straight, to steep and narrow, there is a quality stairlift that can be installed to create a more accessible home this holiday season. Don’t forget that you can also have a stairlift installed in outdoor spaces, such as in a garden, from a porch, or into your pool!
Lift Chairs
Want to give someone with mobility issues a gift this season? Invest in a lift chair. These comfortable, high-end recliners gently move up and down to assist the user as they get up and down from their seat. These are perfect for those recovering from surgery or an injury, but also ideal for those living with chronic or progressive conditions. Lift chairs can be selected to coordinate with the rest of your home décor, too.
Shower Seats
A shower seat or bench is another must-have mobility aid this season. These slide easily over the wall of a tub or inside a shower stall depending on your distinct bathroom configuration. These inexpensive seats allow the user to bathe or wash with the security of a stable place to sit. This can be helpful for those with physical disability or mobility challenges, as well as those who suffer from vertigo, visual impairment, or other conditions that could increase your risk of a fall. These seats are typically easy to put together and do not require professional installation, Check out online options and visit local mobility retailers to see what they have in stock.
Make your holidays a little easier with these mobility aids. To learn more, talk to the team at Pacific Mobility; we have been providing quality mobility equipment widely for generations. Call or visit us today!
President, Husband, Father, Grandfather Graduate of UC Davis- Bio Sci Major- Go Aggies! Jeff has extensive experience in all of Pacific Mobility’s products and services, and specializes in accessibility products as well as stairlifts, ceiling lifts and custom wheel chairs. His hobbies include spending time with family, gardening, mountain biking, exercising and off road motorcycle riding.
24 years as Owner/President of Pacific Mobility Center – selling, installing, and servicing stairlifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts, pool lifts, handicap ramping, specialty wheelchairs, scooters, power wheel chairs, and other power mobility devices
Certified Environmental Access Consultant since 2008
Licensed General Contractor since 1998
Certified Aging in Place Specialist since 2016
Board Member for Home Access Professionals
Member of Association of Members of the Accessibility Equipment Industry (AEMA)