Assistive Equipment for the Home

What assistive equipment might be necessary in the home?

Assistive equipment is any kind of tool or device that can help simplify caregiving or make the environment safer for an ill, disabled, or elderly person. Here are some of the more common types of assistive equipment to consider for the home:

• Bathroom grab bars

• Shower seats

• Bathtub mats

• Beds with special features that increase your ability to get in and out of bed

• Assistive telephones (for hearing-impaired and sight-impaired people)

• Stovetop burners (for sight-impaired people)

• Doorbell signaler (for the hearing-impaired)

• Walkers and canes

• Wheelchairs

• Entry ramps

• Home modifications (roll-in shower; stair lift; pull-down kitchen shelf; movable cabinets under the sink)

• Smoke detectors throughout the home

• Alarm system in the home

• Handrails for stairs

• Night-lights where needed

There are many ways to obtain assistive equipment for the home. Talk with your doctor or home health care provider about your particular needs and the best way to obtain assistive equipment.