Caring for an elderly person, whether in a hospital, aged care facility, or at home, can involve physically demanding and repetitive routines. From lifting and repositioning to managing hygiene and mobility, the daily workload on carers can be intense. Fortunately, a range of practical aids exists to reduce strain and improve safety, comfort, and dignity for both the individual receiving care and the one delivering it.

Patient Lifters and Transfer Aids

Moving someone from bed to chair or between rooms is one of the most strenuous tasks a carer can face. Mobile patient lifters make this process safer and far less physically taxing. These wheeled devices use hydraulic or electric mechanisms to raise and lower a person with minimal effort. When paired with lifting slings, they eliminate the need for manual lifting, reducing the risk of injury.

For more mobile individuals who need light support, pivot discs, transfer belts, and slide boards allow for smoother and safer movement from one seated surface to another. These aids are particularly helpful when space is limited or when regular transfers are required throughout the day.

Solutions like those found in the range of Safety & Mobility assistive products and support solutions are specifically designed to meet the practical needs of both professional carers and family members. They offer versatile support across varied environments, which is essential when care requirements evolve or settings change.

Shower Chairs and Over-Toilet Frames

Bathroom-related tasks can quickly become dangerous without proper support. Shower chairs provide a stable, water-resistant seating option, allowing individuals to bathe independently or with light assistance. Many models are height-adjustable, and some include backrests or armrests for added comfort and balance.

Over-toilet frames add safety and ease to toileting, particularly for those with reduced lower-body strength or poor balance. These sturdy frames are placed around a toilet to offer grab handles that assist in lowering and rising. Some models double as commode chairs, offering flexible use in multiple settings.

Both of these items improve hygiene routines while reducing the amount of manual handling and physical support needed from the carer.

Eating and Drinking Aids

When grip strength, coordination, or dexterity declines, mealtimes can become frustrating and inefficient. Angled cutlery, non-slip plates, and two-handled cups with lids are simple yet effective aids that enable individuals to eat with greater independence.

For careers, this reduces the need to feed someone entirely by hand, especially during busy mealtimes. It also encourages autonomy for the person receiving care, which contributes positively to their mental well-being.

These aids are particularly helpful in cases of arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, or post-stroke recovery, where tremors or weakness make conventional utensils impractical.

Fall Detection and Monitoring Devices

Falls were the leading cause of hospital-treated injuries in Australia in 2023–24, making up 43% of all admissions, with the highest rates among adults aged 85 and over.  In this context, preventing incidents before they happen is a vital part of modern care. 

Technologies such as bed exit alarms, pressure-sensitive floor mats, and personal emergency buttons play a crucial role in alerting carers to movement or distress in real time. These systems are especially valuable when caring for individuals who live alone or when one carer is responsible for multiple people. Alerts can be sent directly to smartphones or nurse call systems, enabling prompt responses without the need for constant supervision.

By reducing the burden of continuous monitoring, these devices not only support timely intervention but also give carers the confidence to manage other tasks, knowing that they’ll be notified if immediate action is needed.

Dressing Aids and Grooming Support

Getting dressed without assistance can become difficult due to reduced flexibility, joint pain, or balance issues. Devices such as sock aids, button hooks, and dressing sticks allow individuals to manage more of this routine themselves, especially when paired with loose-fitting or adaptive clothing.

In grooming, long-handled sponges and extended mirrors help users maintain personal hygiene without having to twist or overreach—movements that can be risky for those with back or shoulder limitations.

A Better Way to Care Starts with the Right Support

When thoughtfully selected and properly used, assistive equipment can dramatically improve the way care is delivered. From transfers and bathing to eating, dressing, and monitoring, each solution plays a role in making patient support tasks more efficient, safe, and respectful.