5 ways to make your home more accessible
Make your home accessible!
When an elderly person or someone with reduced mobility lives at home, everyday tasks such as getting out of bed, taking a shower or going to the kitchen can become more challenging.
The good news is that invasive procedures are not always necessary to make your home more comfortable, safe and accessible. With small, targeted interventions and carefully chosen aids, you can prevent falls, lighten the workload for family members and allow the person being cared for to maintain their independence for as long as possible.
That's why the team at M.I.A. Medical Italia has come up with 5 practical tips to be proposed, explained with real examples and accompanied by professional aids that can improve quality of life and make the home more accessible, both for carers and those receiving care!
1. Remove rugs and obstacles to create safe pathways and an accessible home
Why it is important :
Many falls occur in the home, often due to slippery rugs or narrow passageways. Imagine an elderly person getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom: even a small rug out of place can pose a real risk.
How to do it:
- Remove the moving carpets, especially those in passageways, or alternatively fix them to the floor with non-slip stickers to secure the passage.
- Move low tables, poufs and any type of furniture that may obstruct main routes, such as between the bedroom and bathroom, or that may be difficult to spot quickly by someone with reduced visibility, especially at night.
- Reorganise common areas as needed so that people can move around freely!
Recommended aid: walking frame or lightweight rollator
I walkers e rollator are essential aids for those with reduced mobility, as they offer a concrete support for walking, allowing you to put security the shifts and assisting in maintenance of balance. They are particularly useful in corridors and frequently used passageways.
Discover all our models of walking frames and rollators, perfect for outdoor use too!
Our aids are available for both rental, for those who need a more flexible alternative with various packages to choose from, or in for sale, for those who need it permanently. Contact us on +39 392 65 09 237 for further information!
We also offer solutions for combined rentals for even greater comfort and even greater savings!
Added value: The person regains confidence in walking and family members know that movements around the house are more controlled.
2. Opt for a floor-level shower for ease of access
Why it is important:
Getting in and out of the bath can be risky, and even normal showers are not always safe! A floor-level shower eliminates the step and allows for smooth and safe movement. Furthermore, depending on the patient's level of autonomy, our aids make it possible to move safely and directly from the bed to the shower, without the person being cared for having to make any effort. Find out how!
Recommended aid : multifunctional bathroom lifts
I multifunctional lifters Bathroom aids are the perfect devices to facilitate movement from the bedroom to the bathroom, toilet or bidet, and even to the shower. For those who have a floor-level shower, the GO UP lift with waterproof sanitary seat It is perfect for ensuring safety during all moments dedicated to the personal hygiene of the person being cared for, including washing!
Here you will find all the information about our electric lifts and the various models available! Call us today on +39 392 65 09 237 to request a free consultation by one of our experts, and don't miss the opportunity to purchase one of our GO UP lifts at a very low price!
Added value:
- No manual lifting by family members;
- Possibility to shower while seated, in complete safety;
- Comfort and dignity for the person receiving care;
3. Choose an electric orthopaedic bed with side rails and an anti-decubitus mattress to improve circulation.
Why it matters:
For an elderly person or someone with mobility difficulties, even the simplest movements, such as getting out of bed or changing position, can require enormous effort. That's why a adjustable orthopaedic electric bed, both in height and inclination, may result in significant benefits, both in terms of comfort and safety for the person being cared for, thanks in part to the side rails, and in terms of facilitating care by caregivers. Furthermore studies demonstrate how hospitalisation supported by this type of aid provides concrete benefits for circulation.
Recommended aids: electric orthopaedic bed with anti-decubitus mattress
A adjustable bed enables easily change your posture, promoting breathing, the digestion and the circulation. The possibility of raising the backrest or gently tilting the legs. reduces pressure on the back and joints, making it easier to eat, read, rest or interact with family members without getting tired. Even caregiver draw from benefit: assistance daily life becomes more safe e less stressful, reducing risky movements and manual lifting.
The anti-decubitus mattress, on the other hand, prevents the formation of pressure sores thanks to a more even distribution of body weight and proper ventilation of contact surfaces. This means less pain, fewer complications and faster healing, as well as a greater sense of general well-being.
Together, Orthopaedic bed and anti-decubitus mattress create a home care environment more dignified, sustainable e focused on patient comfort, promoting a more peaceful stay and one better quality of life day after day.
Contact us on +39 392 65 09 237 to receive more information about all rental fee available for our electric orthopaedic beds, the various measures available and options for combined hire! Furthermore, when you hire a bed, you will also receive, included in the price, a PolyPlot anti-decubitus mattress. Don't miss out on this unmissable opportunity!
4. Use a toilet seat raiser
Very often, for those who suffer from muscle weakness e motor difficulties, Supporting one's body weight to sit down or stand up from the toilet can be extremely tiring. This means that continuous assistance is required for all actions aimed at maintaining daily personal hygiene, which can cause discomfort for some patients.
How to do it:
- Install grab bars in strategic locations, such as on either side of the toilet, to support and assist movement.;
- Install a toilet seat riser;
- If you no longer have sufficient strength in your arms and legs, use an electric hoist.;
Recommended aids: toilet seat raiser or, if necessary, electric bath lift
A toilet seat riser and the installation of support handles are Simple but extremely effective measures to improve safety and independence in the bathroom. For many people with mobility difficulties, the low position of the toilet makes it difficult to sit down and stand up, with the risk of falls, fatigue and joint pain. A toilet seat raiser allows you to maintain a more natural posture., reducing strain on legs and back, while the grab bars provide a stable point of support for managing movement in complete safety. This means greater independence in personal hygiene routines, more dignity and less need for constant intervention by family members.
And in cases where strength is insufficient or movements are still difficult? It is possible to combine these measures with one of the our lifters for transfers in the bathroom, designed to gently accompany the person and support carers, avoiding manual lifting and physical stress. In this way, the bathroom becomes an accessible, peaceful and functional space, even in situations of greater fragility.
5. Remove the door frame if the passage is too narrow.
One of the most common obstacles in a home not designed for reduced mobility are doors that are too narrow. It may seem like a minor detail, but a few centimetres can make the difference between being able to pass easily with a wheelchair, a walker or a lift mobile, and always having to ask for help.
Fortunately, no major building work is required: in many cases, it is sufficient to remove the door frame, also gaining 4–5 centimetres of useful clearance.
This small intervention, combined with the use of easy-to-handle aids such as Soft lifts or MIA Medical Italia folding wheelchairs, can immediately make bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas more accessible, improving the patient's freedom of movement and facilitating the work of family members or carers.
An accessible home for safer living and a more peaceful life
Making the home more accessible is not just about preventing accidents: it means protecting the independence and daily peace of mind of the person we love, while also safeguarding the physical and emotional health of those who provide care.
Small adjustments, targeted aids and intelligent management of domestic spaces can transform everyday life: Less effort, fewer risks, more comfort, more freedom. When your home becomes a safe place, every action, from sitting on the bed to your bathroom routine, from resting to moving around, is filled with peace of mind!
We are here to accompany you every step of the way in building your accessible home, tailored to the people you love.
Do you need advice or want to understand which aids are best suited to your situation?
Speak to our specialists: we will help you choose the best solution to make your home accessible, with affordable prices for both purchase and short- and long-term hire. Call us on +39 392 65 09 237!