What home care essential products are you missing?

As we get older, there are numerous tools and products available to help us to perform day-to-day tasks. Sometimes our mobility isn’t what it was, so we can use a walker or a walking stick to help us. If dining has become trickier, there are cutlery sets specifically designed to help you to grip them and hold them steady.

Which products are best for my elderly loved one?

You may be caring for an elderly loved one and need to know more about what’s out there to help you. That’s why Cavendish have put together this list of items that you may or may not be aware of that can help you. We have split it into rooms of the house to make it easier to navigate.

If you have questions about caring for an elderly parent, and would like to speak to us in person, please don’t hesitate to get in touch using our contact information.

Bathroom

Washing yourself is a very personal thing and having to receive help may be embarrassing or cause concern. It’s important to help someone who struggles to do this retain their dignity and privacy as much as possible. That’s why some of these products are so useful.

• Grab bar toilet paper holder
• Shower seats and stools
• Tap turners
• Bath steps
• Portable inflatable wash basins
• Toilet seat cushion
• Cast and dressing protectors
• Bottom wiper
• Ceiling support

Bedroom

Getting rest and a good night’s sleep is important for our health and wellbeing. Making it easier for an elderly person to get in and out of bed and ensuring they are comfortable and safe are a lot easier with some of the products listed below. It can also be helpful to make sure they have access to somewhere to go to the toilet quickly – especially if they have mobility issues.

• Pressure relief pad
• Button hook and zipper pull
• Bath accessibility kit
• Bedside commode
• Magnifier
• Shoehorn
• Compression stocking aid
• Bed pan
• Urinal
• Incontinence pads or pants
• Bed rails and cot sides

Kitchen

Preparing meals can be harder for some elderly people. Tools that can help them to grip utensils and crockery are helpful, as well as ways to stop any spillages. If they are no longer able to prepare their own meals, we have also listed items that help them to protect their clothing while they enjoy a meal.

• Knob turners
• Bumpons – self-adhesive raised dots, available from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
• Adult feeding bib
• Adapted cutlery
• Beakers
• Reusable drinking straws
• Uniflow straws – they have a valve in the base which keeps the liquid in the straw between sips
• Kettle tipper
• Non slip matting

Living room

This is where many of us spend our time, so ensuring it’s a comfortable space where they can enjoy television, radio or just a comfortable seat for a chat is vital. These are items that can help them to enjoy their space safely. You might also use some of the equipment that helps them get in and out of bed to help them to sit in a chair or reach items they need with ease.

• Table tray
• Reaching aids and grabbers
• Grips for door handles
• Plug pulls
• Book holders

Garden

Being outside and getting fresh air is a lovely way to keep healthy. If your elderly loved one enjoys their garden, but finds it harder to access it, consider getting walkers and ramps that can help them to still spend time in it. Even if they are unable to tend to a garden themselves, being around nature is a great pastime.

• Walker
• Ramps – for wheelchair/walker/scooter access

Are you looking for homecare for yourself or a loved one? Here are some Questions to Ask When Looking for Home Nursing to guide you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Cavendish Homecare using our contact us page.