Kitchen Aids - To Strengthen The Elderly or Disabled

 Eating is a necessity, and cooking, an art. However, not everyone enjoys that. This blend of work and creativity can cause discomfort for a few, mostly the elderly and disabled.

It could be difficult for them to hold a coffee cup or open a jar lid, let alone cook. They may find it dangerous to be alone in the kitchen. In such a scenario, emotional support is essential. Fortunately, several products are available in the market to give them a sigh of relief.

For instance, they can use a non spill cup. Also, there are bibs for adults. Chopping boards can simplify their chopping and slicing tasks. Good grip weighted utensils, bottle openers, and many products are available for every kind of kitchen activity.

Let us see a few options that you can consider for you or your loved ones depending on their specific issues.

Tin and Bottle Openers

Generally, people with arthritis have weak grip strength, so it might be difficult to grip and open jar lids, bottle knobs, tins, etc. But they can accomplish their tasks by using tin and bottle openers, without stressing on hands, wrists, and joints. The design of openers is such that they can provide grip and help users accomplish tasks. For example, the Can Pull and Ring Pull Can Opener. They are the best option to open the tins.

There are also electric openers that require no effort except pressing a button.

For opening jars and other sealed lids, you can also go for anti-slip jar openers, conical jar openers, etc. These equipment grip lids tightly and use leverage to open them. They increase the friction required to perform the task, thereby making it easier for you to open hard-to-grip seals, bottle tops, ring pulls, and jars.

Perching Stools

If you have difficulty standing for long, you can use perching stools. They provide balance and help take a break in cooking. They are long and offer a tilted seat to sit in at a high position.

You can also use them in the bathroom and shower. They provide support while leaving hands to carry out their work.

Perching stools are like conventional bar stools, but not exactly. The barstools require a person to climb up to use, which can be difficult unless they are tall enough. Perching stools, on the contrary, are height-adjustable. You can adjust its height according to the kitchen worktops.

They are also best for washing up dishes at the sink.

Non-Slip Mats

Along with cooking, walking on the floor with spilt milk/oil/water is horrendous. It can cause severe accidents if you don't have anti-slip mats.

Anti-slip mats are a particular type of rubber matting that provides grip and prevents a person from slipping, tripping, and falling. They come in various shapes and sizes with different materials and purposes.

Gel mats, for example, soften hard floors and protect achy joints. They make standing a lot easier. Then there are high friction hard rubber mats that prevent items from sliding. Their primary purpose is to stop hard bowls, boards from slipping.

Depending on your needs, you can always find a suitable non-slip mat.

Kettle Tippers

While talking about strength and balance, the one must-have product is a kettle tipper & teapot. It helps pour water and tea safely from the kettle. Of course, it's a necessity if you're living alone and you don't like asking for help, even if it's a glass of water.

Here's how it works. A kettle is mounted on a frame, and there's a hinged bracket that enables it to tip forward and pours out. It means you can angle it and pour without actually lifting the weight.

There are many popular options available. For example, one made of moulded plastic. Another with a rotating cradle that makes handling boiling water effortless.

The best part about this product is that you don't have to deal with lid or spouts. With a gentle touch and a tilt, you can pour out the content.

Other Items

If you need help with food preparation, you can bring in chopping boards, extra-large knives with grips. For those with dining table difficulties, there are specially curated plates & bowls, adapted cutlery. Other kitchen aids such as kitchen trolleys, utensil holders, and even bibs for adults might prove useful.

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Which Wheelchair Ramp Is Right For You?

 According to NHS statistics, there are over 1.2 million people who use wheelchairs in the UK. Of that total, around 800,000 use them regularly.

As any wheelchair user will tell you, the environment can seem an unaccommodating place when you’re rolling rather than walking.

While various changes to government regulations have led to improvements over the last 25 years, ramp or lift access is still under-supplied in both public and private premises.

Often the provision of simple ramps is absent or inadequate. This means there remains a high demand from wheelchair users or their carers to use portable ramps which they carry with them.

Around the home environment, most wheelchair users install permanent or semi-permanent ramps. This helps negotiate obstacles they need to overcome on a daily basis.

There are numerous types of ramps which some may need to solve specific problems. Here, we’ll run down the most common and practical of these key mobility aids.

Threshold ramps

Doorways often have a raised lip on the floor between the frames, or sometimes even a small step.

While these obstacles are usually quite low, they still require some form of ramp to get over them.

Threshold ramps are designed specifically for this purpose, creating a sloped surface on both sides of the threshold, allowing a wheelchair to roll up and over without impediment.

Those in Essential Aids threshold ramps section are made from either synthetic rubber, fibreglass or aluminium.

Some of our ramps sit flush with the top of the step which is being ramp over, with another identical ramp usually being required on the other side, unless the floor is even on one side.

Synthetic rubber is a great material for these low ramps. It is relatively heavy and high friction, meaning will stay in place of its own accord, without requiring fixings.

It is also non-slip, making it a safe option for people walking across the threshold.

Depending on the specifics of the threshold concerned, you may need to fit this style of threshold ramp on either side of the obstruction.

Another similar design is the popular Outdoor Fibreglass Threshold Ramp. As the name suggests, it is made of non-corrosive fibreglass, making it suitable for the garden or elsewhere out in the elements.

It has a non-slip, textured surface, helping to reduce the chance of any slips.

An example of the aluminium option is the Threshold Bridging Ramp. This provides a complete bridge from one side of the threshold to the other.

Available in two elevation sizes, its design means that it is able to accommodate different floor heights on either side.

Rather than a textured non-slip surface, this type of ramp has a raised pattern on the aluminium itself. As it is aluminium, it is rigid, non-rusting and relatively lightweight, making it easy to remove and store as required.

All the Essential Aids threshold ramps are light enough in weight to be easily installed and removed as necessary.

They provide an inexpensive means of retaining access around the home for wheelchairs, rollators, wheeled walking frames or simply for those unable to overcome small obstacles, even on foot.

Folding ramps

Essential Aids’ folding wheelchair ramps section has a variety of high quality products which fold down for easy storage or transportation.

This type of ramp is usually larger than a threshold unit, but in most cases is similarly lightweight.

The objective with folding ramps is that they are light and easy to carry, as well as being strong and adaptable to the steps or other obstacles they need to bridge.

It is also important that they fold down to a manageable size, as most will need transportation in the boot of a car.

Available in lengths of up to 10ft, these ramps typically fold in the middle. Some separate into two halves, with each half itself folding in half once more.

Remember, the larger the obstacle, the longer the ramps need to be. There is more information about the length of ramp required for a given height, further down this page.

Suitcase ramps

Effectively a version of folding models, suitcase ramps got their name for their collapsed states similarity to a suitcase.

The two halves of the ramp fold together in the middle and handles on one side provide facility to carry the two parts as a suitcase.

Essential Aids supplies numerous sizes of suitcase ramp, ranging from those just 2ft in length, right up to 7ft.

Most have non-slip surfaces on the rolling side.

Channel ramps

Folding channel ramps are another option in this category. Channel ramps come in two sections, and must be aligned accurately when in use.

Each section is narrow, with raised edges, creating a channel through which the wheels on one side of the wheelchair or mobility scooter roll. The raised lips prevent the wheels slipping off to either side.

The folding versions are hinged in the centre, meaning that each section is usually light in weight and easy to transport in the boot of a car.

This type of ramp is frequently used when loading electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters on to larger vehicles with adequate internal capacity.

Usually made from aluminium, channel ramps have either a milled pattern or a grained plastic surface on the rolling surface. This improves friction and reduces the chance of the wheels slipping.

Modular ramps

Being extremely lightweight, installing modular ramps as quick and easy. Made from aluminium, they have separate pieces which fit together lego-style, which when fitted together can produce a ramp to the required height.

Suitable for permanent or temporary purposes, they are usually used for thresholds or other low obstacles.

They usually have a perforated design, giving the advantage that water is able to flow through and away.

Telescopic ramps

A variation of channel ramps, telescopic ramps can be collapsed to a small size, making them ideal for transportation and storage.

As the name suggests, these ramps have sections which slide in on themselves when not in use.

As with other channel ramps, the width of each unit is usually quite narrow - at the most about a foot wide.

Roll-up wheelchair ramps

Part of the Essential Aids range is the Roll Up Wheelchair Ramp. This is a popular choice because of its portability and versatile nature.

For transportation, it rolls up and fits inside its own carry bag, which can be slung over your shoulder or hung on the back of a wheelchair.

Its clever design means that despite its flexibility, once rolled out it becomes rigid.

At nearly a metre in length once unrolled, the Roll Up ramp is among our most practical mobility aids.

Aluminium wheelchair ramps

Over the last 30 years, aluminium has become the number one choice in the manufacture of wheelchair ramps, especially portable ones.

It is relatively light in weight, non-corrosive, rigid and cost effective.

Previously, steel was used for ramps because of its great strength and rigidity. Unfortunately the downside was in its heavy weight and tendency to rust.

The first of these factors meant that it was never really suitable for portable ramps which need quick and easy installation, deinstallation or transportation.

Before aluminium was widely available at a reasonable price, fibreglass became a viable option.

This was, however, largely superseded by aluminium in the 1990s and on to this day.

Permanent fixed ramps

If you know exactly where you will need a ramp and that the space is available for a permanent installation, you might think about having a bespoke one built.

Carpenters can create robust wooden ramps, complete with handrails and non-slip surfaces, made to measure.

Other tradesmen can build even more substantial ramps from moulded concrete or cement.

These have the benefit of being super stable but obviously are only suitable for certain situations.

Which length of ramp will you need?

For using a wheelchair, any ramp needs to have a minimum gradient of 1:6 to be safe. This makes for a relatively shallow incline.

In practical terms, the requirement is that for each foot of rise (otherwise known as load height;) a ramp length of six feet is required.

Heavier loads like mobility scooters which also have a low ground clearance, need an even shallow gradient of 1:8.

So for using scooters, the one-foot load height requires a ramp length of eight feet.

When choosing your ramp or ramps, you need to take account not just of the gradient required but also the space needed to lay it safely. In practical terms, this is often much greater than people anticipate.

Consider too that any threshold ramps need to be adequately wide for the wheelchair or scooter, but narrow enough for the doorway it crosses.

Summary

Whether you need ramps for a wheelchair, mobility scooter, rollator, wheeled walking frame or other wheeled mobility aids, access ramps are an important consideration.

Thoroughly measuring and assessing any obstacles which you might need to use ramps to overcome is the first stage in the process.

Cross check the specifications at Essential Aids with your requirements before committing to a particular ramp.

The product information on each of our units shows in adequate detail all the relevant measurements and load-bearing capacity.

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Tips to Choose a Walking Aid

 There are various types of aids, and they provide different levels of support. Therefore, you must choose the one that meets your usage, handling, and support needs.

Aids such as folding walking frames provide stability to individuals (like elderly) when they're tired. They may not be sufficient for the ones who have difficulty in standing and moving. In such cases, aids like folding wheelchairs can be best suited.

Though you or your loved ones can also use walking aids in conjunction with mobility aids, for instance, a walker at home, wheelchair outside, or vice versa.

To know what's better, talk to your occupational therapist or doctor about the aid that's suitable for you. Discuss your limitations, usage, and other needs.

You can also try using a few of the aids and then stick with the comfortable one.

Here's how to choose the right aid:

1. Consider the Situation

Consider when and how you will use a walking aid. People use aids for different reasons. Some may use it for a short time while recovering from injury or surgery. Others may use it for a few hours or days regularly due to the disability.

So, think wisely before choosing one. If you want something for occasional use, a walking stick would be sufficient. You can keep it aside when not in use.

If you find it difficult to walk and need something that helps you with it, you can go for a folding wheelchair. Similarly, if you need an aid for posture and reduce the strain on legs, rollators can be suitable. They are a good option as the four wheels distribute weight evenly and help balance the body.

2. Get it Fitted

The right choice is well-fitted mobility aid. If you choose an ill-fitted aid, it could prove to be less safe. However, it would be better than being unaided.

In walking aids, height matters a lot. Most of the equipment comes with adjustable points for different heights. That means a tall person or a short person can use the same equipment. However, some aid styles won't be suitable if you're tall or short-even your choice matters in that case.

Tip: Remember to wear your regular footwear when getting measured.

If you're choosing rollators or walking frames, you should also consider the width. You can choose a narrow width frame for using the aid at home. It would fit easily around the furniture.

However, it would also vary according to size. Large size people, for instance, maybe comfortable with wide frames.

3. Learn to Use

It can be challenging to use a mobility aid with a walking aid. Suppose you've been using a wheelchair and now want to move towards a walking frame, it can get tricky. You won't understand the posture and how to balance it. If you're in contact with your occupational therapist, they can help you correctly use the walking aids.

To build confidence, you can start with flat surfaces and short distance. After some practice, you can try using them under challenging areas, such as walking up and down the stairs, or uneven terrains over a long distance.

Whatever path you take to learn but start with baby steps.

4. Reassess Regularly

Your mobility aids can change over the course of time. So you must assess whether you're using the right aids or not.

Here're some tips that can help you assess the necessity of walking aid.

• You can't walk longer with walking aid like before.
• You get tired after a short time of usage.
• You feel unsteady with the aid
• It causes you pain and discomfort.

If you face any difficulty using your walking aids, you must talk to your health care team. If possible, change it. Folding wheelchairs or folding wheel frames, at the end of the day, their purpose is to assist and provide comfort.

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4 Bedroom Aid Products You Must Have

It can be so difficult for the elderly and disabled to get out of bed.

While healthy people may take these simple pleasures of life for granted, people with disabilities may have to ask for support or experience discomfort every single time.

An injury, disability, or condition can make someone so helpless. Fortunately, the situation isn't that worse now. There are several products to aid people in their bedrooms. Most of them don't even require installation, for example, the overbed table. Others like bed safety rails would require some installation, but they are comfortable and quick.

Bedroom aids can play a significant role in providing comfort and assistance in daily routine.

Let's see a few of those:

1. Bed Safety Rails

You can attach the bed rails to your bed or the floor aside, depending on the level of supports they provide. Some bed rails also come with features to fold or slide down when not in use.

There are different designs of bed rails available. Some can stretch over your bed length, while others can be short as grab rails.

Long rails can assist you and even prevent accidents like rolling out of bed.

Suppose you're lying down on the bed. Long rails can help you pull yourself in a sitting position. Once your feet are on the floor, you can then use them as a support to stand up.

You can also install rails on either side in case of inadequate upper body strength. Using both can help you pull yourself up.

2. Support Rails over the Wall

"U shaped" rails often found in bathrooms can act as an alternative to standard bed rails. You can fix them on the wall, fold and slide down when not in use.

However, they are not highly recommended. They need to be reasonably long to prove useful, which can make them bulky and cumbersome for the purpose.

The alternative and popular option is floor to ceiling support pole. Some also provide horizontal support rail along with vertical poles. But let me be clear, this option too requires permanent installation.

3. Bed Ladder

They are a single lightweight rope ladder that requires minimal installation. You can attach the ladder to the bottom of the bed and allow users to pull themselves up from a lying or sitting position.

Bed ladders require some upper body strength, but they can be useful when other processes seem difficult.

While purchasing a bed rope ladder, you must check its quality. Though the ropes are designed to be lightweight, they should be sturdy to handle the weight. Because if it breaks, it might cause an accident.

4. Over Bed Table

If you're spending a long time in bed, then you must consider having this equipment.

We generally find this equipment, i.e., over bed tables in hospitals. A few of you might even be familiar with it. They are long tables with wheels. Patients often use them to sit up on the bed and eat or carry out other activities.

That's the hospital version. You can use different tables for domestic purposes - one without wheels, horizontal feet with slides under the bed. The advantage is you wouldn't require less clearance room.

But before you go ahead, check the clearance measurement and also the wheels. Height would also be necessary. Therefore, check the product description and see if it fits your needs.

While purchasing an overbed table, think about why you need it. If you're going to use it for reading, you don't need to look for a robust model. If you want to use it as a support while eating, a substantial choice would be better.

What's More?

Shorter rails and support aids that hang down the bed.

These are a few of the other products that can help get in and out of bed. 

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Overcoming Challenges Faced by Elderly People with Dementia in Home Environments

 As the average age of the UK population steadily increases, there is a corresponding growth in the number of conditions which are associated with old age.

Dementia for example, impacts one in 14 people over 65 years of age, and one in six over 80.

Alzeimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, with around 850,000 people in the UK living with the disease.

Because of the growing numbers of OAPs in the population, that number is currently projected to reach 1.6 million in the next 20 years.

Confusion associated with memory loss is the key symptom of dementia, making it difficult to conduct a host of daily tasks.

These include reading and writing, number recognition and many others.

Thinking logically and organising oneself may become very challenging, as will tasks requiring a fair amount of attention.

Bathing and hygiene

Some people with dementia may become quite fearful and resistive to certain daily routines.

Maintaining hygiene and cleanliness is one such area which may present challenges.

If the individual suffering with dementia has a carer and is resistive to bathing or showering, it could be for a number of reasons.

It may be something as fundamental as a fear of water, or simply a loss of the ability to communicate decisions and the frustration that this leads to.

Feelings of embarrassment may also cause distress in the bathroom, or the general feeling of loss of control.

The person may not have a clear understanding as to why a carer may be present, which again may lead to distress.

Carers

Carers for people with dementia have a list of special considerations. When it comes to bathing or showering, here are some tips to consider:

Be well prepared and have sponges and soap all ready, plus drying bits and pieces like towels and a robe. Large cape-like towels are useful, as they cover the body and provide quick warmth.

Make sure the bathroom itself is at a comfortable temperature. Remember the individual may not be able to communicate any physical discomfort in a logical way.

Create a routine and try to stick to it. If the individual carer is the same person every day, that is useful for both parties.

If possible, give the person the choice of a shower or bath. Some may prefer one over the other. It’s important to discuss this with the individual’s family to establish and attempt to recreate their previous routine.

The more you can find out about the person’s standard practices, the better. They may, for instance, have a long history of having a bath before bed, so if you can stick to this in a care environment, it may prove helpful.

Ideally, the carer should be of the same sex as the invididual. This reduces embarrassment and makes the experience less stressful.

Where ever possible, encourage the individual to wash themselves as much as they can. Even small independent actions are positive, so always bear this in mind.

Be sensitive to the individual’s potential to experience pain. Dementia is often accompanied with other physical conditions which the person may have difficulty expressing.

Create a friendly and pleasant atmosphere. Sometimes you might be able to play music you know the individual likes, or set the lighting so that it isn’t intensely bright or too clinical.

Humor may be a good way to relax the person if you feel they are tense or stressed in the bathroom.

There are certain products which might help reduce the stress of daily showers or baths. Items like ‘no-rinse shampoo’ don’t require running water, so may be worth considering.

Remember too that not everyone requires a bath or shower on a daily basis. Thorough sponge bathing to certain areas of the body can be a good option.

Safety in the bathroom

With many dementia sufferers also living with other conditions which may impair balance, comfort and safety is a priority in the bathroom.

Providing them with the ability to sit down is one step which may assist them if they are unstable on their feet.

It’s a good idea to provide things like stools and seats at different locations around the bathroom. Using seating in the bathroom makes it more comfortable when the individual is drying off.

Perching stools, for instance, are useful pieces of equipment. Positioning one at the seat gives the individual the chance to semi-sit at the sink.

They can perch themselves on the front edge of the seat, taking most of their weight off from their feet while still leaving their hands free.

You can also use seating in the shower cubicle itself. If the person requires their carer to reach their hair for them, this can make it easier.

It’s also great to use shower seats if the person concerned is unstable on their feet.

For those in this situation, grab rails are another piece of equipment which may make a big difference to safety in the bathroom.

Bathroom support rails

Rails are bathroom safety products for elderly people or others which balance issues. They provide a point of support in areas of the room where you might lose your balance, even if the individual is being assisted by a carer.

Rails can be positioned on suitable walls if the individual needs to travel any distance within the bathroom, or they can be installed next to baths, toilets or sinks.

Having a combination of rails fitted in strategic points around the bathroom usually makes sense.

It is important to consider exactly where the best locations of rails would be, before having them installed by a qualified tradesman.

In terms of bathing, rails may be fitted on the wall next to the bath, or even to the bath-side itself.

Bathtub side rails can be particularly useful as they provide a point of support midway along the bath’s length.

This positioning tends to be handy as one lowers oneself into the water and out again afterwards.

This type of rail usually has an upside down U-shaped design, creating a curved top rail which is easy to grip, especially when supported by a carer.

These are general bathroom safety products for elderly people as well as those suffering with dementia.

In wet rooms or in large shower cubicles, it may be possible for the individual to use wheelchairs or shower chairs as they are washed.

If this is the case, a waist-height portable shower screen may be used, protecting the carer from getting too wet.

Portable shower screens are usually in two or three folding sections, and can be positioned flexibly to suit the space available.

Essential Aids supplies free-standing versions which can be easily folded up and stored between uses.

Shower seat, chairs and stools

Essential Aids also supplies a wide range of shower chairs, many with wheels.

These work effectively as bathroom wheelchairs, allowing the individual to be easily rolled in position within the shower.

These wheeled chairs require shower trays designed for the purpose without raised edges, so the rolling surface is unobstructed.

The component parts of this type of equipment must be non-corrosive, so the bathroom wheeled shower chairs Essential Aids supplies are largely manufactured using aluminium and various plastics.

The same goes for conventional shower stools and chairs. Aluminium is both non-rusting and lightweight, meaning stools made from it are easy to lift in and out of showers.

A wall mounted shower seat is another option. These typically fold-flat against the wall when not in use, making them a great choice if the shower is shared by other people.

These products are great space savers, but it’s important to ensure they are fitted by a qualified tradesman.

For those which require extra weight bearing, choose a wall mounted shower seat with legs. These are much stronger and are better for heavier individuals.

Like standard models, they still flip away against the wall and two legs drop down beneath to make contact with the floor when in use.

Fitting support rails in combination with shower seating like this makes a lot of sense.

Non-slip matting is another category of bathroom safety products for seniors. Conventional mats for the bath or shower cubicle reduce the chance of slipping on hard, wet surfaces.

They usually adhere using suction cups or with high friction rubber-like surfaces.

If you want to cover larger areas of the bathroom with purpose built non-slip matting, it might be worth considering the StayPut Anti-Slip Wet Room Matting, available at Essential Aids.

This product is available in rolls which can be cut the exact dimensions required. It is great for those unsteady on their feet, who might be prone to losing their footing in wet environments.

Made using a special PVC foam, it is soft and durable while still free draining. It also has special properties, making it both antibacterial and antimicrobial.

Being soft to the touch, the Stayput matting also provides a little more warmth underfoot, which may also be an improvement to hard tiling.

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