Family Encyclopedia >> Health

Loss of mobility, facilities that make life easier

A senior with a loss of autonomy can continue to live at home thanks to home support. Many equipment and facilities have been developed in recent years so that elderly people in a difficult mobility situation are not necessarily forced to enter a retirement home.

Loss of mobility, facilities that make life easier

Appropriate equipment for getting around

Mobility is one of the main problems faced by the elderly. As they have difficulty moving around, they need equipment that assists them in this action. One of the most common is certainly the cane which provides security and stability. The walker is another very common choice. Houses made up of floors can be equipped with an elevator or a stairlift. Outside, the senior can have at his disposal an electric scooter with reduced mobility. A very practical machine for going shopping at the local grocer or for drinking a coffee on the terrace.

  • See also the file on the stairlift of Lemonde.fr

Installations dedicated to positioning

Benefiting from good positioning is part of the obstacle course when you get older. Fortunately, manufacturers have come up with all kinds of solutions to help seniors gain comfort in complete safety and in different postures (lying or sitting). This equipment includes chairs, including the lift, rest, geriatric or positioning chairs. Medical beds are also in high demand in the home care sector. They consist of several accessories such as sliding barriers intended to prevent falls. Thanks to an automatic system to be managed by means of a remote control, it is possible to modify the backrest and modify the height of the bed base.

Hygiene equipment

In the bathroom or toilet, seniors face the risk of falls. Accidents can be prevented with the right equipment. In the bathroom, a commode and a booster seat will help maintain a more comfortable stature. In the bathroom, many arrangements are to be expected. Every year, 450,000 falls occur in this room, making it dangerous for seniors.

If it is equipped with a bathtub, the installation of a door to facilitate access is recommended. In the bathtub itself, the installation of an ergonomic seat will allow the senior to wash in a seated position. For those who can afford it, it is preferable to substitute the bathtub for a walk-in Italian shower. The lack of step height will greatly simplify access. Handles or bars that promote better support can be placed on the walls. The material is to be completed with an anti-slip seat.

Loss of mobility, facilities that make life easier

Technology and home automation

Home automation providing automated management of the house is another solution to consider in the context of home maintenance. It will make it possible to centralize the opening and closing of the shutters which will be done automatically or to automate the lighting in the hallway to prevent falls in the dark. And as all these devices are quite expensive, aid is granted by local authorities, pension funds or the National Housing Agency (ANAH) to finance them.