Mobility Products for Senior Accessibility

As we age, we often develop mobility-related challenges caused by injuries, medical conditions, decreased flexibility, or balance issues. Fortunately, there are many products available to help increase independence and make the world more accessible for seniors. 

Whatever your mobility needs are, chances are there’s a helpful product for you from head to toe. 

Some mobility aids are small, lightweight, and portable gadgets to help manage simple tasks of daily life, such as putting on or removing clothing and accessories. These include button-fastening devices, dressing sticks, zipper pulls, long-handle shoehorns, and devices for pulling on and removing shoes and socks. 

Others provide more long-term accessibility and can either be already built into an existing product or retrofitted to make it more accessible. Sometimes, products only need simple installation, while others, like ramps, might require major modifications.

Products to help you get around inside and outside your home include:

Personal Transport:

Crutches, canes (with or without seats), manual and rolling walkers, knee walkers, red-tipped white canes for the visually impaired, manual and motorized scooters, and wheelchairs. The type of walking aids you’ll need depends on your level of ability, budget, and whether your mobility challenges are temporary or permanent. This also depends on the type of flooring or terrain.

Stair Lifts:

If you live in a two-story house or multi-story apartment building, you’ll need help going up and down the stairs. These include motorized stair lift chairs that transport people up and down a flight of stairs. Portable motorized or manual stair-climbing devices are more affordable options, as well as canes made specifically for climbing stairs. 

Bathroom:

Products for safer and more accessible bathing, showering, and toileting include bathtub and shower grab bars, raised toilet seats, commode (toilet) chairs with or without grab bars, and shower chairs. Long-handle sponges and soap applicators reduce the need for assistance with bathing.

Bedroom:

Leg lifters, portable or fixed bed rails, and adjustable beds help reduce the need for assistance getting in and out of beds. Overbed tables enable self-feeding while in bed.

Furniture:

Motorized power lift recliners and couches tilt forward and upward, making it easier to get out of the seats. Portable grab bars can easily make couches more accessible.

Vehicles:

Swivel seat cushions, portable grab bars, leg lifters, and auto canes help seniors with limited mobility get in and out of vehicles.

Before You Buy:

Make sure each mobility aid matches your level of ability, measurements, and weight capacity. If it’s portable, make sure it’s lightweight enough to carry but sturdy enough to maintain stability.