What equipment can help someone stay independent at home?

Independence is usually about specific tasks

It is rarely everything at once. More often it is standing up from the armchair, carrying a cup of tea from the kitchen, getting out of bed at night, or managing the stairs.

Writing down the two or three tasks that have become hardest is the quickest route to the right equipment.

Getting in and out of bed

A bed transfer handle gives something firm to hold instead of pushing against a soft mattress. A bed rail provides a longer barrier and handhold, and an overbed table makes eating, reading and using a tablet in bed far easier.

Bed rails are not right for everyone, particularly where someone is confused or restless, so take advice before using one.

Chairs and standing up

A riser cushion placed on an existing armchair, a firmer high-seat chair, or a powered riser recliner all address the same problem in different ways and at very different prices.

Kitchens and everyday tasks

A perching stool lets someone sit while preparing food or washing at the basin. A trolley walker makes it possible to move a meal or a drink from one room to another, which many people quietly give up on.

Moving around and getting out

Indoors, a wheeled frame or trolley may be enough. For getting out to the shops or to see family, a rollator with a seat or a transit wheelchair often makes the difference between going out and staying in.