Seniors eventually have to face the decision of their residential status. As medial conditions worsen or multiple, it can be more difficult to remain in the comfort of your own home. However, with medical improvements and in home medical care companies, you can stay at home longer. If you have recently made the decision to continue living in your home versus moving to an assisted living center, you will find the following medical products helpful to your living situation.
Mobility devices
Mobility devices have significantly contributed to seniors? ability to remain at home for a longer period of time. Use of canes and other mobility devices soared almost 50% over a recent eight year period, according to interviews of more than 7,600 Medicare beneficiaries (2015). Even if you do not rely entirely on medical canes for mobility, they can be helpful in emergencies or for getting around the house when you are feeling weak. Additionally, mobility devices come in all different types, including walking canes for elderly, medical canes, scooters, and wheelchairs.
Medication organization system
One of the most common reasons that seniors move to assisted living communities is for the help with medications. If you are taking numerous medications, it can be difficult to organize and remember your schedule for each one. However, utilizing a medication organization system can make schedules easier to remember. Organize your medications by the time of day they should be taken. Pre arrange them weekly into a medicine divider. If you still find it difficult, consider hiring a daily in home medical care service that will administer medications in a timely schedule. They can also help with especially difficult medications, like insulin syringes.
Heart rate monitors
Approximately 90% of Americans aged 55 plus are at risk for hypertension or high blood pressure. Women are more likely than men to develop hypertension, with half of women aged 60 plus and 77% of women aged 75 plus having this condition. Hypertension affects 64% of men aged 75 plus. With such high odds of hypertension, it can be beneficial to have an in home heart rate monitor. You can regularly test your own heart rate and request help, if the numbers are out of the norm.
Disposable bed protectors
Another reason that seniors move into assisted living communities is for incontinence problems. However, simply having an incontinence problem does not mean that you have to give up your house. Disposable bed protectors make it easy to quickly clean up after an accident. Simply throw out the old one and replace it with a new disposable bed pad. You can also utilize items like bed pans for sale and even cushioned bed pans for additional protection and comfort. Medical canes can be helpful for getting to and from the bathroom in the middle of the night.
Emergency call system
Your safety is the main priority when choosing a living arrangement. If you are unable to safely live home alone, then an assisted living community should be seriously considered. However, an emergency call system can be a safety precaution for those who still insist on living at home. Phones are not always accessible and if the medical canes are not within close proximity, an emergency can quickly escalate. Emergency bracelets or mobile phones are great emergency call systems. Every 15 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall. Make sure you have an emergency plan in place to get to the hospital.
Many seniors are left with few living decisions following a new medical diagnosis. Sometimes, they are even forced to give up their home and move to an assisted living community, or nursing home. Today?s medical improvements, however, have made it easier than ever to remain in your own home, while still receiving the medical care and safety that you require.