21 September 2021
Written by Hannah Ownsworth
It’s not the nicest thing to think about, but as we age our risk of falling increases.1 There are things you can do to help reduce your risk, including investing in products that could help prevent you falling or that could be used to support you if you do fall.
If you live alone and are concerned about getting help should you need it, this ingenious watch combines a fall alarm/alert function with GPS tracking, route monitoring, and more. It has an SOS alarm which, went activated, will use the strongest nearby network to connect you with your SOS contact and get their help. Even if you’re not sure where you are, the watch can notify up to five of your loved ones of your location to help them find you faster. Not only that but it can also monitor your heart rate, track your steps, and is waterproof to 1m.
There have been studies to suggest a connection between hearing loss and an increased risk of falls.2 If you’re finding it increasingly difficult to hear what’s going on around you, you should consider getting your hearing checked and perhaps getting a hearing aid to help turn up the volume on day-to-day life. This Medically Approved Hearing Aid is lightweight, convenient, and cost-effective. It has an adjustable volume and has been designed for all day use.
Bending and stretching for items you need could leave you at risk of a fall if your balance isn’t what it once was. The Handi-Grip Reacher helps reduce your need to stretch as it extends your grip to help you easily pick up the items you need. It has an easy-to-hold handle with a lightweight trigger and a rotating jaw that can turn 90 degrees to help you get to items in harder to reach areas. It also features soft lips on the jaw to help make it a little easier for it to pick up things like coins or paperclips.
Having difficulties when walking could increase your risk of falling. If this sounds familiar, you may want to consider a mobility aid such as a walking stick. The Flexyfoot Oval Handle Walking Stick is a practical and stylish walking stick to help support you in getting from A to B. Its oval-shaped handle helps to spread the impact of using it more evenly, reducing the stress on your joints. It also comes with a Flexyfoot ferrule – a special shock-absorbing ferrule that gives you 50% more grip than a traditional ferrule.
Need more help than a walking stick can provide? You can get about in style around your home with this modern indoor rollator. Its sleek design features a large, lipped tray and a storage bag to help you carry items with you as you go around the house. It also has height adjustable handles, so you can make sure it’s set to the perfect height for you, and a brake system that can be operated with just one hand.
A strategically placed grab rail at the right points around your home can help give you support when you need it most, whether that’s a reassuring hand-hold as you enter and exit your home or an aid to hold onto in a slippery bathroom. This versatile Steel Grab Rail can be used indoors or outside as it has a weather-resistant bright white power coating. It’s available in a variety of sizes from 305mm all the way up to 710mm.
The bathroom can be a hazardous place. The Bath Step Stool with Handrail can help to make it easier and safer to get in and out the tub or give you a boost if you need to reach something from a high shelf in the bathroom. It gives you a stable and secure surface to step onto and somewhere to hold onto while you use it. It has a non-slip rubber surface on the step to give you a secure grip and ferrules on the bottom of its feet to stop it from sliding.
Worried about slipping and falling when using the shower? The Etac Swift Shower Stool with Arm Supports gives you a comfortable place to sit and rest while you shower, reducing your risk of slipping over. It’s lightweight and can be moved around your bathroom as needed. It also has a unique design and flexible seat that means it can be used on uneven floors. Ferrules are included on each of the legs to give it good grip on slippery surfaces.
If you find it tricky to get everything done that you need to due to not being able to stand for long periods, then you may find a perching stool useful. The Height Adjustable Perching Stool with Arms helps to take some of the weight off your feet and support you while you get on with whatever tasks you need to do. It has angled legs, which have rubber feet to help prevent it from slipping, making it suitable for use around the home and helps to reduce your risk of falling as you have a place to rest when needed.
Poor lighting could raise your risk of falling, so if you find that you get up in the night to get a drink or go to the bathroom, then you may want to consider the Motion Sensor Light. Even if you know the way like the back of your hand there can still be obstacles you can’t anticipate, such as a sleeping pet, abandoned toy, or dropped towel. The Motion Sensor Light turns on as soon as it senses any movement, shining an ultra-bright light on your path that will stay on for 30 seconds after the movement has stopped.
If you’re at risk of falls and would like more detailed support, why not get a Home Living Consultation with one of our qualified Occupational Therapists? The consultation takes place over a video call and can help to identify alternative ways of doing daily tasks or products that can help you stay independent at home for longer. Find out more about our Home Living Consultation Service here.
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