Do you use senior helpers/aids?

I installed hand grabs at the place about 5 years ago. Occasionally I overdo it.
Usually carrying heavy stuff, moving heavy stuff that sort of stuff. I gimpy for a bit.
I seem to heal up and not need them hand grabs long but they there just in case.
 
Dave03 said:
I have a cane in my car. I only use it when I go to ball games and I know I'll be walking a long way. Otherwise, if I'm going to the grocery store, I just park near the cart return and use the cart instead.

I have a handicap placard I keep in the door, and I only use it if it's absolutely necessary. I figure there are always people worse off than me.

We also have one of those stair chairs. My wife uses it daily. I rode it once, just to try it. I will say this...it's awesome for getting the laundry up and down the steps. LOL.

We're also planning to a new bathroom, with a step in shower and some safety railings. The missus is talking about a higher toilet, too.
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Those old low lil toilets sort of suck! ... :coffee: ... I keep Canes around for self defense too.
 

Dave03 said:
I figure there are always people worse off than me.
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Wouldn't it be nice if everyone felt that way? We used to have a virtual junk yard of dead cars in our parking lot (until we got a good Manager who said "Move 'em or lose 'em") so it was always a fight for a parking space in the same county as your apartment. One day I parked next to one of the "Reserved for DP" spaces. There was a young girl unloading her groceries into a wagon, and had four kids, and no plate or placard on her car.

Being as polite as possible I told her something like "I know it's a really remote possibility that you will get at ticket for parking there illegally as Cops couldn't care less about disabled people. But (and I'm sitting there in my wheelchair) you should know that those spaces are for people with disabilities." And I pointed at the sign and said "It says the fine is $250 Minimum. But that's outdated, it's $421 Minimum now, and 2nd and 3rd violations are $625 and $825. But it's your choice. And with four children, is it really worth the risk?"

She still parks illegally.


Dave03 said:
We also have one of those stair chairs. My wife uses it daily. I rode it once, just to try it. I will say this...it's awesome for getting the laundry up and down the steps. LOL.
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Ahhh, yes. Isn't Modern Technology great? Great idea!
 
Aging Audra said:
The only thing I have is a reacher/grabber. I have been using one for awhile.

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We call that a grabber-snatcher, we have so many senior aids throughout the place. There is the power chair, a couple of wheel chairs (we don't need yet). Grab bars in both bathrooms, bath chairs, the toilets by the way are taller than the average meant for older folks, there are several canes and a couple of walkers. I probably am missing something, however last but not least 2 lift chairs. Gotta say that we bought the chairs from Medi-chair, frankly they aren't very comfortable, but DH especially needs the lift.
 
We replaced a couple of toilets several years back. Didn't realize they were taller but sure do think they're a great idea. Why standard toilets have been so low is mystifying.

Two years ago I bought this reversible loofah shower mat for our RV shower because the shower floor got slick when wet. We liked it so well that I bought two more to cover the showers in our house. They can be cut to size (the RV shower is neo-angled). No backing on the bottom. I usually take first shower, then DH hangs it to dry using a clip hanger. Haven't needed to replace any. No mold or mildew. Plus they feel great on our feet.

All our showers are walk-ins because I detest tub showers. I believe they're hazardous for most people and especially so for older folks.
 
GoneFishin said:
Do you use senior helpers?

I use the following aids >
Cane (sometimes)
Adult bib (for when I'm in a feeding frenzy 😁 )
Sock aid for putting on sox
Reacher grabber
Bathtub grab bar
Extended nail clipper for cutting my toenails
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Do you use senior helpers?

I use the following aids
“Walker everywhere—don’t trust balance.”

Adult bib (for when I'm in a feeding
“To catch shaken food off utensil”

Sock aid for putting on sox
“No, but getting socks on is a struggle.

Reacher grabber bathtub grab bar
“Now at point can’t use bathtub—need walkin shower with seat and several grab bars. Bathe with bath cloths.

Extended nail clipper for cutting my toenails.
“I ‘chance safely’ using short clipper.”
 
Babs2u said:
I don't trust myself with a laundry basket on the stairs. I use a large canvas bag and fling it down the stairs. Coming back up I park it on every other step or so. One hand remains free for the railing.
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I used to slide my clothes basket down the basement step & lift it back up the stairs one step at a time. But as my leg tremors have gotten worse the first 3 steps down to the basement steps are (too) steep & there are no grab bars. Only 3 steps keeping me away from doing my laundry. 🫤 My daughter washes my laundry now.
 
Elsie said:
I used to slide my clothes basket down the basement step & lift it back up the stairs one step at a time. But as my leg tremors have gotten worse the first 3 steps down to the basement steps are (too) steep & there are no grab bars. Only 3 steps keeping me away from doing my laundry. 🫤 My daughter washes my laundry now.
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She is trying to keep you from falling. Smile and enjoy.
 
This is such a helpful thread, thank you.
I’m struggling more & more. I have a back injury after a bad tumble down stone steps several years ago now aggravated by severe OA in my spine & one hip. I’ve been a bit stupid trying to resist seeming decrepit by using aids until recently. But now I use a walking stick, cane, when out ( if I remember to take one 🙄) otherwise I walk unsteadily trying to keep my balance. People avoid me, must think I’m drunk 😂. I too have become a bit obsessed with antique ones.
I have one of those canvas shopping trollies which I use when visiting the outlet village in Gretna, so much easier than how I used to struggle with heavy bags, mostly from Cadbury’s!
At the supermarket I just wheel the trolly out to the car & load it direct, Aldi whizz you so fast through the checkout that you don’t pack at the till anyway.
I’d never thought of taking my stick to reach stuff on the high shelves, brilliant. I’ve been known to resort to standing on the bottom shelf to reach the top one, how sensible is that? I am just five foot tall so that’s my excuse anyway. I use a long kitchen utensil to pull things off high kitchen shelves & just hope to dodge & grab as it falls.
 
If I every need anything I have an assortment of walkers etc leftover from the husband, Mom, and others.
So far all Im using is Moms four footed cane. I keep it by the tub shower to lean out getting in and out.
I dont trust those suction grabbies.

The husband had a ton of canes. I kept the vintage and unusual carved ones and sold the rest.
So if I have need one I have that covered. :D
 
Babs2u said:
I don't trust myself with a laundry basket on the stairs. I use a large canvas bag and fling it down the stairs. Coming back up I park it on every other step or so. One hand remains free for the railing.
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There are only six steps. the house is not a split level but a tri level. The rooms on the main floor are across the front. On the lower and upper level they are across the back. All have daylight because of the hill.
 
horseless carriage said:
That wretched osteoarthritis is, you are quite right Holly, a right pain in the proverbial, and just about everywhere else too. We are off to Bournemouth Mobility in Boscombe later today, the lady needs a neck brace to ease the arthritic pain that is at it's worse in the morning.

CareCo at Braintree, I have looked at online, they have an impressive range of supports and equipment. We shall be visiting family members at Southend come the end of the month, CareCo might be worth looking in on.

Back in my late 20's my distance eye set wasn't 100%. The optician said, that later in life the body shrinks, as she described, microscopically. Certainly no mention of two inches, but the optician then said that the shrinkage would bring my retina back into place, and she was right. In my mid 50's my eyesight was all but perfect. Trouble was, that damnable shrinkage didn't stop, now I need specs for reading.
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I had a lot of neck pain a year or two ago caused by arthritis and sleeping position. The pillow was too high with no support for the neck. I bought a Derila pillow and it has worked for me. It provides neck support and a little indent for the head.
 
Aunt Bea said:
I use one of the old style rubber mats, with suction cups.

I take it up after each shower and let it dry attached to the side of the tub. I clean it when I clean the tub and I replace it when it starts to get grungy.

The one I have is small but I want to replace it with this larger full tub style.

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This thread took me a few days to fully get through it all but really helpful.

I don’t have a bathtub installed yet. I have a stand up shower but it has a place to sit. The other day I almost slipped so this type of mat would be very helpful. Nice find. Thanks for sharing. @Aunt Bea.
StarSong said:
We replaced a couple of toilets several years back. Didn't realize they were taller but sure do think they're a great idea. Why standard toilets have been so low is mystifying.

Two years ago I bought this reversible loofah shower mat for our RV shower because the shower floor got slick when wet. We liked it so well that I bought two more to cover the showers in our house. They can be cut to size (the RV shower is neo-angled). No backing on the bottom. I usually take first shower, then DH hangs it to dry using a clip hanger. Haven't needed to replace any. No mold or mildew. Plus they feel great on our feet.

All our showers are walk-ins because I detest tub showers. I believe they're hazardous for most people and especially so for older folks.
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Hi @StarSong. May I ask where you got your loofa mats from? This is a good idea. I currently take showers but I do have a bathtub that isn’t installed yet. When it does gets instslled , I’d like to make it as safe as possible.
Elsie said:
Adult bib (for when I'm in a feeding
“To catch shaken food off utensil”
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I don’t have an adult bib, I actually have an eating tshirt which is stained, but I don’t really care. Somehow I’ve gotten to become I very sloppy eater. Things like ribs, sloppy joes, or chilli dogs seem to make a big mess. For a while I was using shout out on all my clothes. Now when I’m going to eat something really messy, I just change shirts.

Grabbing things off the top shelves at home has become a bit of a challenge so I also use various things to help. I’m not short but I still have a difficult time getting things like the colander ( strainer ) or sifter, I use a long wooden fork. I pull it out and catch it with my left hand.

Thank you all for sharing all you helpful hints.
This is a great thread full of helpful ideas.
 
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Some things are nice to have even if you are still ablebodied:

Selfclosing toilet seat (may have saved a marriage or two)
Pull out drawers instead of shelves everywhere including vanities
Blowdryer stand
Wall mounted magnifying mirror
Additional shelving in upper kitchen cabinets to eliminate stacks of things
Heated towel racks
Bidets!!!
Custom walk-in closets
Magnetic door stops
Hands-free trash can
Instant hot water dispenser
 
Babs2u said:
I don't trust myself with a laundry basket on the stairs. I use a large canvas bag and fling it down the stairs. Coming back up I park it on every other step or so. One hand remains free for the railing.
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Everyone over here does exactly that. They used to be free.

IKEA.jpg
 

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