What to do when Mobility changes
| Mobility Challenge | Solution / Aid |
|---|---|
| Bathroom transfer to Tub or Shower | 2-wheeled Walker |
| Difficulty standing from seated positions | 2-wheeled Walker |
| Difficulty stepping over thresholds | 2-wheeled Walker |
| Fear of falling | 2-wheeled Walker |
| Slippery surfaces (bathroom / kitchen / entryway) | 2-wheeled Walker |
| Unsteady walking / poor balance | 2-wheeled Walker |
| Fatigue when walking short distances | 4-wheeled Walker |
| Fear of falling | 4-wheeled Walker |
| Reduced coordination / tremors | 4-wheeled Walker |
| Slippery surfaces (bathroom / kitchen / entryway) | 4-wheeled Walker |
| Unsteady walking / poor balance | 4-wheeled Walker |
| Difficulty getting in/out of bed | Adjustable Bed Height |
| Dependent on assistance for transfers | Bedside Commode |
| Difficulty getting in/out of bed | Bedside Rail or Handle |
| Medication Challenges | Blister pack system |
| Unsteady walking / poor balance | Cane |
| Unsteady walking / poor balance | Declutter pathways |
| Wheelchair use in narrow or uneven spaces | Declutter pathways |
| Fatigue when walking short distances | Electric Scooter |
| Stairs indoors or at entrance | Elevators |
| Timely emergency detection | Emergency call button |
| Timely emergency detection | Fall detection device |
| Bathroom transfer to Tub or Shower | Grab bars / Handrails |
| Difficulty standing from seated positions | Grab bars / Handrails |
| Fear of falling | Grab bars / Handrails |
| Stairs indoors or at entrance | Grab bars / Handrails |
| Unsteady walking / poor balance | Grab bars / Handrails |
| Weak upper body strength | Grab bars / Handrails |
| Poor night vision / confusion in dark | Improve lighting |
| Stairs indoors or at entrance | Improve lighting |
| Unsteady walking / poor balance | Improve lighting |
| Wheelchair use in narrow or uneven spaces | Level hard flooring |
| Reduced coordination / tremors | Lever handles |
| Difficulty stepping over thresholds | Manual Wheelchair |
| Reduced coordination / tremors | Manual Wheelchair |
| Dependent on assistance for transfers | Manual Wheelchair |
| Wheelchair use in narrow or uneven spaces | Manual Wheelchair |
| Dependent on assistance for transfers | Overhead or Hoyer Lift |
| Cognitive Impairment | Medication Lockbox |
| Medication Challenges | Medication Lockbox |
| Cognitive Impairment | Motion and Door Alarms |
| Timely emergency detection | Motion Sensor |
| Bathroom transfer to Tub or Shower | Non-slip surface treatment |
| Difficulty getting in/out of bed | Non-slip surface treatment |
| Reduced coordination / tremors | Non-slip surface treatment |
| Slippery surfaces (bathroom / kitchen / entryway) | Non-slip surface treatment |
| Unsteady walking / poor balance | Non-slip surface treatment |
| Difficulty getting in/out of bed | Overhead or Hoyer Lift |
| Dependent on assistance for transfers | Power Wheelchair |
| Weak upper body strength | Power Wheelchair |
| Wheelchair use in narrow or uneven spaces | Power Wheelchair |
| Unsteady walking / poor balance | Quad Cane |
| Difficulty standing from seated positions | Raised toilet seat / commode |
| Bathroom transfer to Tub or Shower | Shower chair |
| Reduced coordination / tremors | Simplified layout |
| Difficulty getting in/out of bed | Sit-to-Stand Lift |
| Difficulty standing from seated positions | Sit-to-Stand Lift |
| Weak upper body strength | Sit-to-Stand Lift |
| Bathroom transfer to Tub or Shower | Slider Board |
| Difficulty getting in/out of bed | Slider Board |
| Dependent on assistance for transfers | Slider Board |
| Difficulty standing from seated positions | Stable chairs with armrests |
| Stairs indoors or at entrance | Stair Lift |
| Cognitive Impairment | Stove Cut-off Device |
| Fear of falling | Supervision for high risk activities |
| Difficulty stepping over thresholds | Threshold removal |
| Stairs indoors or at entrance | Threshold removal |
| Wheelchair use in narrow or uneven spaces | Threshold removal |
| Medication Challenges | Medication Dispenser |
| Bathroom transfer to Tub or Shower | Transfer Belt |
| Difficulty getting in/out of bed | Transfer Belt |
| Difficulty standing from seated positions | Transfer Belt |
| Fear of falling | Transfer Belt |
| Dependent on assistance for transfers | Transfer Belt |
| Bathroom transfer to Tub or Shower | Transfer bench |
| Weak upper body strength | Transfer pole |
| Difficulty stepping over thresholds | Transport Wheelchair |
| Fatigue when walking short distances | Transport Wheelchair |
| Weak upper body strength | Transport Wheelchair |
| Wheelchair use in narrow or uneven spaces | Transport Wheelchair |
| Cognitive Impairment | Visual Reminder Signs |
| Fatigue when walking short distances | Walker with folding seat and locking brakes |
| Unsteady walking / poor balance | Walker with folding seat and locking brakes |
Pro-tip: Worsening mobility challenges are one of the primary reasons that people's care needs and hours increase. Do what you can to maintain the strength you have!