Top Medical Equipment That Can Help Care For A Loved One At Home

Whether your loved one has a chronic illness, is recovering from surgery, or has mobility limitations, having the right medical equipment at home can make all the difference. In fact, with the right home medical equipment, it is possible to transform a regular home into a safer and more accessible space that allows your loved one to safely remain where they are most comfortable.

Mobility aids, home safety equipment, and home medical equipment not only improve quality of life but also give peace of mind to both caregivers and families alike. Fortunately, modern medical equipment makes it possible for individuals to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their home and still receive high-quality care.

Mobility Aids

Mobility limitations are one of the most common reasons that individuals struggle to maintain their independence at home. Mobility aids can empower your loved one to move safely and independently within their home.

Examples of mobility aids that are beneficial include:

• Walkers and rollators
• Wheelchairs
• Canes
• Platform lifts and stair lifts
• Wheelchair ramps

Walkers And Rollators

Walkers provide balance and support, particularly for those dealing with painful conditions like arthritis or people with injuries or recovering from surgery. Depending on preference, walkers are available in two-wheel and four-wheel models.

Rollators have wheels and a seat, allowing individuals to take a break while walking longer distances. Some models even have storage baskets for personal items.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are available in manual and motorized versions. For individuals with limited strength or endurance, wheelchairs can be a crucial addition to their mobility aids. Powered wheelchairs provide maximum Independence.​​​​​​

Canes

Canes are both simple and affordable. They are very helpful for individuals who have minor balance issues. Quad canes offer more stability and are suitable for seniors who don’t want to rely on a walker, but who still need a little support.

Stair Lifts And Platform Lifts

For homes that have elevated porches or stairs, a stair lift or vertical platform eliminates the danger of navigating stairs. Platform lifts are especially helpful for wheelchair users.

Wheelchair Ramps

Wheelchair ramps can be a portable or a permanent fixture. Ramps make wheelchair entry and exits more manageable, and in areas like South Florida, where storms can impact our door safety, slip-resistant material is an extra safety feature.

Safety Medical Equipment In The Home

Each area in your home poses unique risks and challenges for individuals with visual impairment or mobility limitations. Room-specific safety equipment can significantly reduce the risk of falls and injuries.

Areas to consider include:

• Bedrooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens

The Bedroom

Medical equipment that can help to keep your loved one safe and independent in the bedroom can include things like:

• Adjustable hospital beds
  These beds provide comfort and support, allowing individuals to elevate the head or the legs for comfort, and caregivers to access individuals without the risk of injury.
• Over bed tables
  These tables are designed to glide over the edge of the bed, allowing the individual to easily access their meals and to reach their personal items.
• Bed rails
  Bed rails assist with repositioning and getting in and out of bed safely. Bed rails are also an added safety feature that will prevent individuals from rolling out of bed.

The Bathroom

For someone with mobility issues, the bathroom is known to be one of the most dangerous rooms in the house. Most injuries, slips and falls that occur at home happen in the bathroom. There are safety devices that can be installed to ensure additional safety in the bathroom.

Some of this equipment may include:

• Grab bars
  Grab bars installed near toilets, tubs, and showers assist with standing and sitting, and have the added benefit of providing stability, thereby preventing slips and falls.
• Shower chairs and transfer benches
  Shower chairs and transfer benches promote safety during bathing. These are particularly beneficial for individuals who have lower body strength, balance issues, or difficulty bending.
• Raised toilet seats
  Raised toilet seats add height to the toilet, making it easier for people with mobility limitations to sit on and stand up from the toilet.
• Non-slip mats
  Non-slip mats are essential in areas where the floor gets wet. Damp environments like showers and floors near sinks and bathtubs are dangerous for any individual, especially those with balance or mobility challenges. A non-slip mat will help to prevent slips and falls in the bathroom and other wet areas like the kitchen and laundry.

Medical Monitoring Equipment

For individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension, monitoring vital signs and health indicators in the home is essential. Some medical equipment that can make it easier to track these metrics and share them remotely with the healthcare provider includes:

• Blood pressure monitors
• Glucose monitors for checking blood sugar levels in diabetics
• Pulse oximeters – very useful for individuals with respiratory conditions like COPD or heart conditions.
• Weight scales – where tracking weight changes can help to identify fluid retention in people with kidney conditions, or for individuals with nutritional issues.
• Oxygen tanks – having oxygen tanks in the home allows individuals who have respiratory issues and require oxygen to remain at home on oxygen instead of being admitted to a facility. Other respiratory equipment that could allow an individual to remain at home instead of being admitted may include nebulizers, portable suction machines, CPAP, and BiPAP machines.

Positioning Equipment And Transfer Aids

For individuals with severe mobility challenges, moving safely from the bed to the chair or from a wheelchair to the toilet can be very challenging. Transfer aids reduce the strain on both the caregiver and the recipients, and have the added benefit of being safe. Transfer aids that could assist in the home include:

• Transfer boards – these allow a person to slide from one surface to another with minimal movement.
• Transfer poles – these floor-to-ceiling grab bars give individuals something to hold on to when standing up and sitting down.
• Gait belts – these are thick, secure belts that allow the caregiver to safely support the loved one while they are walking or transferring from bed to chair or vice versa.
• Patient lifts – for non-amputatory, bedridden individuals, manual or powered patient lifts allow for safe transfer.
• Slide sheets and positioning aids – these tools assist the caregiver in positioning the individual in the bed without causing friction or skin damage.

The Best Home Medical Equipment At Affordable Medical Supplies

As more South Florida residents opt to remain at home rather than be admitted to a long-term facility, ensuring they can maintain their dignity and independence, and that their home is a safe space, is crucial. At Affordable Medical Supply, we know that having the right medical equipment at home can be life-changing for loved ones and their caregivers.

Our experienced team is passionate about seeing to both patients’ and caregivers’ needs. To find out more about the top medical equipment that can help you care for your loved one at home, call us at 866-484-7599 today.

---