Note from the Editor:
This article was kindly written for the SDC by member @Doctor Alan.

As we get older, some changes to our well-being are inevitable. The only variables are the severity of these changes and the age at which they occur. Our balance is probably the first physical change we notice, and anybody who has had a fall can testify that they become ultra-careful after it. (The time one can stand on one leg diminishes with age, but 10 seconds is pretty good for an 80-year-old). It becomes harder to get out of a chair or off the toilet, and walking up or down stairs is a good thing to avoid if possible.

There are a number of accessibility aids that can be fitted around the home, and I have recently had to install several of these myself to assist my wife after she had a fall.



Bedroom:
Getting out of bed is often increasingly difficult. An adjustable bed is a good option – these will allow you to sit up in bed, making it easier to swing your legs over and get up. They are quite expensive, though. I have installed a bar that simply fits under the mattress, and its handle can be used to assist in getting upright. The cost was about $30 – from my local Red Cross shop. A brand-new grab rail will set you back about $60.



Bathroom:
If you’re still using a bath, you may have a problem as you get older. Of course, there are quite sophisticated baths that allow you to step into them on a level surface, but these are expensive. A shower, on the other hand, is ideal for us oldies. I installed grab bars in both our showers and after the el-cheapo suction handles from the local $2 shop came unstuck, I fell down. I bought ours from Bunnings for $49, but you can buy exactly the same bars from a mobility supplier for around $250 if you’re so inclined. They have to be attached through the shower wall to studs, so a stud finder is essential for DIY enthusiasts. On the other hand, you can ‘get a man in’ to do these jobs. You can browse Bunnings’ grab rail range here.

A shower chair is a very good idea. They have an adjustable height and are designed for the purpose. I have a different type in both our showers and I was able to buy one from our local Red Cross shop and the other from an op-shop – both at a very low price. Here is one option under $40 from eBay.

The last essential safety feature in the bathroom is a non-slip mat. These cost very little – around $12 (you can find a $10 option from Kmart here), I believe, and they have small suction feet that prevent their slipping.





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