Watching your parents get older can bring a gradual change in roles. The people who once looked after you may begin to need a little more support themselves – not necessarily with everything, but with certain everyday activities that aren't quite as easy as they used to be.
Perhaps Mum is finding it harder to get comfortable in bed. Maybe Dad has started holding onto furniture when he walks around the house. You might notice that getting up from a chair takes more effort, reaching for something is becoming difficult, or everyday tasks around the bathroom and bedroom aren't as straightforward as they once were.
These changes don't always mean that a parent needs somebody to do everything for them. Often, a relatively simple home aid can provide additional support with a particular task while allowing them to continue doing as much as possible for themselves.
That's what makes choosing home aids for elderly parents worth approaching thoughtfully. The aim isn't simply to fill their home with mobility equipment. It's to identify the areas where they are experiencing difficulty and find practical solutions that can make everyday life more comfortable and manageable.
There are many different options available, from small daily living aids through to larger pieces of equipment such as adjustable mobility beds. What your parent needs will depend on their mobility, their home and, importantly, what they feel would make a useful difference.
How Do You Know When Your Parents Might Benefit from Home Aids?
It isn't always obvious when a parent could benefit from a home aid. Changes in mobility can happen gradually, and your mum or dad may simply adapt the way they do things without mentioning that they're finding certain tasks more difficult.
That makes it useful to look beyond whether your parent can technically still perform an everyday task. Consider how much effort it now takes, whether they feel confident doing it and whether they've quietly changed their routine to avoid something they find difficult.
The aim isn't to take independence away. In many cases, introducing the right home aid at the right time can help your parent continue doing more for themselves.
What Signs Might Suggest My Parent Is Struggling at Home?
Small changes can sometimes tell you more than an obvious request for help.
You might notice that your parent is finding certain movements or everyday activities more challenging. Perhaps tasks involving reaching are becoming awkward, or getting into a comfortable position in bed takes longer than it once did. They may also start avoiding particular activities because they have become inconvenient or physically demanding.
It can be helpful to think about your parent's normal day from morning to evening. Which activities are becoming harder, and at what point do they need assistance?
Identifying the specific difficulty makes it much easier to consider which type of home aid could genuinely be useful.
Should I Wait Until My Parent Asks for Help?
You don't necessarily need to wait for your parent to specifically ask for a home aid before starting a conversation.
Some people are very open about changes in their mobility, while others may be reluctant to mention them. Your parent might not realise that equipment exists to help with a particular task, or they may simply have become accustomed to doing something in a more difficult way.
Rather than starting with "You need a mobility aid", try talking about the particular task you've noticed.
For example, you might ask whether they're finding it harder to reach certain things, whether they're comfortable in bed or whether there's anything around the house that isn't as easy as it used to be.
That turns the conversation into solving a practical problem together, rather than making decisions on your parent's behalf.
How Can Home Aids Help My Parents Stay Independent?
One of the most useful ways to think about home aids is as equipment that provides assistance with a specific task.
If your parent struggles to reach something, for example, an appropriate reaching aid may allow them to retrieve it themselves. If positioning themselves comfortably in bed has become difficult, suitable bedroom equipment may provide additional assistance.
The important point is that support doesn't always have to mean another person taking over.
For a parent who wants to remain independent at home, the right equipment can sometimes make the difference between needing help with an everyday activity and continuing to manage it themselves.
How Do I Talk to My Parents About Using Home Aids?
This conversation is often easier when your parent remains at the centre of the decision.
Instead of focusing on age or telling them what they can no longer do, talk about what would make everyday life easier, more comfortable or more convenient.
Ask what they find frustrating. Find out which tasks they would most like to make easier. If you're considering a particular home aid, look at the options together rather than simply purchasing something and expecting them to use it.
Your idea of what your parent needs may not always match what they actually want. Something that appears useful from the outside may address a problem that doesn't particularly bother them, while a relatively small difficulty you hadn't noticed could be affecting them every day.
Which Home Aids Should We Consider First?
There's no standard collection of equipment that every older person needs.
A better starting point is to identify where your parent is experiencing difficulty and then look for equipment designed to address that particular problem.
Fenetic Wellbeing's home aids include solutions intended to help with different aspects of daily life, while larger pieces of mobility equipment, such as adjustable beds, can provide additional support where your parent's needs extend beyond smaller everyday aids.
Over the following sections, we'll look at these different types of home aids individually – including what they do, who might find them useful and the questions you and your parent should consider before choosing one.
Overbed Tables: Keeping Everyday Essentials Within Easy Reach
If your parent spends more time in bed, whether for rest, comfort or because moving around has become more difficult, having everyday items close at hand can make a noticeable difference.
An overbed table provides a convenient surface that can be positioned over or alongside the bed, giving your parent somewhere accessible for the things they want to use without repeatedly having to get up or reach towards a bedside table.
While it's a relatively straightforward home aid, it can make time spent in bed considerably more practical.
What Is an Overbed Table?
An overbed table is a movable table designed to provide an accessible surface for someone sitting or lying in bed.
Fenetic Wellbeing's home aids range includes overbed tables with adjustable features, allowing the table to be positioned according to the user's requirements.
Rather than having essential items sitting somewhere that's difficult to reach, an overbed table can bring a useful surface closer to your parent.
What Can My Parent Use an Overbed Table For?
An overbed table can provide a convenient surface for many ordinary activities.
For example, your parent may want somewhere accessible to place a drink, book or other everyday belongings while they're in bed. Having a suitable surface nearby can also make it easier to continue with some of the normal activities they enjoy while resting.
The important thing is that the table isn't only useful for somebody who is confined to bed. A parent who simply spends longer periods resting in their bedroom may also appreciate having a practical surface that can be positioned where they need it.
Can an Overbed Table Help My Parent Be More Independent?
It can help reduce some of the small occasions where your parent might otherwise need assistance.
If something they regularly use is on a table that's difficult to reach, they may need to ask another person to retrieve it. Positioning commonly used belongings on an accessible overbed table can help keep those items within easier reach.
Again, this illustrates an important principle when choosing home aids for elderly parents: independence isn't always about making dramatic changes to the home.
Sometimes, it's about making the environment work a little better around the person using it.
Are Adjustable Overbed Tables Useful?
Adjustability can be particularly helpful because not everyone uses a table from the same position.
Fenetic Wellbeing's range includes overbed tables with adjustable elements, so it's worth looking closely at the specifications of individual models when deciding which option might suit your parent.
Think about where the table will sit in relation to their bed, the position they normally rest in and what they intend to use the table for.
The goal is to find an arrangement that makes everyday items comfortably accessible without unnecessarily restricting the space around the bed.
What Should I Consider Before Buying an Overbed Table for My Parent?
Start with the bed itself.
Check the dimensions and design of both the table and your parent's bed to make sure they're compatible. You'll also want to consider the available space around the bed and whether the table can be positioned conveniently.
Then think about your parent's needs. What do they actually want the table for? Where do they normally sit or lie? Can they comfortably reach and use the table from that position?
It's also worth considering whether your parent's bedroom needs more than one adaptation. If getting comfortable, changing position or getting into and out of bed is becoming a more significant concern, smaller bedroom aids may only address part of the problem.
In that situation, it may also be worth looking at a more comprehensive solution such as an adjustable mobility bed, which we'll explore later in this guide.
Perching Stools: Providing Support During Everyday Tasks
Some everyday jobs require us to stand in roughly the same place for longer than we realise. Preparing something at a worktop, getting ready in the bathroom or completing another household task can become tiring if your parent finds prolonged standing difficult.
A perching stool is designed to provide a supported position between standing and sitting. Rather than lowering themselves into a conventional chair, your parent can perch on the raised seat while carrying out suitable everyday activities.
Fenetic Wellbeing offers both folding and adjustable perching stools, making this another relatively simple home aid that can provide useful support around the house.
What Is a Perching Stool?
A perching stool is a raised seat designed to allow someone to rest in a supported position while completing an activity.
Unlike a conventional low chair, its higher seating position means your parent doesn't have to lower themselves as far to use it. This can make it a practical option when they want some support during a task without sitting down in an ordinary chair.
Fenetic Wellbeing's range includes adjustable perching stools, as well as a folding option for situations where being able to store the stool away may be useful.
When Might My Parent Find a Perching Stool Useful?
A perching stool may be worth considering if your parent can still manage many everyday activities themselves but finds standing for longer periods increasingly difficult.
Think about the parts of their daily routine where this happens.
Are there activities they now rush because they don't want to remain standing? Do they regularly stop halfway through a task to sit down? Have they started avoiding certain jobs altogether because standing at a surface has become uncomfortable or tiring?
If the main difficulty is remaining on their feet for the duration of an activity, providing somewhere appropriate to perch may make that activity more manageable.
Can a Perching Stool Help My Parent Stay Independent?
Potentially, and this is another example of how relatively uncomplicated home aids can support independence in later life.
Your parent may not need somebody else to complete an activity for them. They might simply need a way to reduce the amount of time they spend standing while doing it.
Providing appropriate seating can help address that particular difficulty while leaving your parent in control of the task itself.
For adult children, that's an important distinction. Supporting your parents doesn't always mean taking jobs away from them. Sometimes, changing how an activity is carried out can help them continue doing it for themselves.
Would a Folding Perching Stool Be Useful?
A folding design may be worth considering when space is limited or your parent doesn't want the stool permanently positioned in one place.
Fenetic Wellbeing's home aids range includes a folding perching stool, alongside an all-purpose adjustable model.
Whether a folding or non-folding option makes more sense will depend on where your parent plans to use it, how frequently they'll need it and whether they can manage the equipment comfortably.
How Do I Choose a Perching Stool for an Elderly Parent?
Start by identifying where and why your parent needs additional support.
Consider the space available, the activities they intend to carry out and the specifications of the individual stool. Fenetic Wellbeing's home aid range includes perching stools with adjustable features, so check the individual product details rather than assuming every model works in exactly the same way.
Most importantly, make sure the solution is appropriate for your parent's individual mobility. A perching stool is intended to provide support during suitable activities; it isn't automatically appropriate for everybody who experiences difficulty standing.
If your parent has significant difficulties with balance, standing, transferring or other aspects of their mobility, seeking professional advice can help you determine which type of equipment is most appropriate.
Commodes and Toilet Aids: Making Personal Care More Manageable
Toileting is one of the most private parts of anyone's daily routine. If your mum or dad begins to find reaching or using the bathroom more difficult, it's understandable that they may feel uncomfortable discussing it – even with close family.
However, the right commode or toilet aid can provide practical support while helping your parent retain as much privacy and independence as possible.
Fenetic Wellbeing's home aids range includes several types of commode chairs, including folding, padded, mobile and heavy-duty options. Rather than assuming your parent needs a particular design, it's worth thinking carefully about what part of their existing routine has become difficult and finding an aid that addresses that need.
What Is a Commode Chair?
A commode chair provides a toileting facility within a supportive chair. This means it can be positioned somewhere more convenient for a person who finds accessing their usual toilet difficult.
Fenetic Wellbeing offers different commode designs, including folding commode chairs, padded models and wheeled commodes, as well as heavy-duty options designed for higher user weights.
This choice is useful because the most appropriate commode will depend on your parent's mobility, where the equipment will be used and the type of assistance they require.
When Might My Parent Benefit from a Commode?
One reason to consider a commode is if getting to the bathroom itself has become difficult.
Your parent may still be capable of managing many aspects of personal care but find travelling between their bed, chair and bathroom increasingly challenging. Having appropriate toileting equipment positioned closer to where they spend their time could make their routine more manageable.
This may be particularly worth discussing if you've noticed that your parent is changing their routine because reaching the bathroom is becoming more difficult.
The important thing is to approach the subject sensitively. Rather than focusing on what your parent can no longer do, discuss whether there's anything that could make their routine more comfortable, convenient and manageable.
Can a Commode Help My Parent Remain Independent?
For the right person, a commode can form part of maintaining independence at home.
If reaching the bathroom is the main difficulty, bringing an appropriate toileting solution closer may reduce one of the barriers your parent encounters during their daily routine.
However, needing a commode doesn't necessarily mean that someone can or should use it entirely without assistance. Your parent's ability to transfer onto and off the chair, their mobility and their individual circumstances all need to be considered.
Where you're uncertain, seeking advice from an appropriate healthcare professional can help establish what level of support and equipment your parent requires.
What Is the Difference Between a Folding and Wheeled Commode?
Different commode designs suit different requirements.
Fenetic Wellbeing's range includes folding commode chairs, which may be useful when you don't want the equipment permanently taking up space, alongside mobile wheeled commode chairs. There are also padded designs where additional comfort is an important consideration.
Rather than deciding based purely on convenience, look at the specifications of each model and think about how your parent will actually use it.
Will it normally stay in one place? Does it need to be stored away? Does your parent require a particular type of seating? Answering practical questions like these can make it easier to narrow down the options.
Are There Commodes for Heavier Users?
Yes. Fenetic Wellbeing's range includes heavy-duty bariatric commode chairs, including models with user weight capacities of up to 35 stone (222kg).
Checking weight capacity is particularly important when buying any type of supportive seating. Always look at the specifications of the individual product rather than assuming that every commode has the same maximum user weight.
How Do I Talk to My Parent About a Commode?
This can understandably feel like an awkward conversation, so it helps to keep your parent's dignity and preferences at the centre of it.
Avoid presenting a commode as evidence that they've lost their independence. Instead, talk about the particular problem you're trying to solve.
If getting to the bathroom has become difficult, for example, the question might simply be: "Would it make things easier if you didn't always have to go as far?"
Giving your parent a genuine say in the equipment they use can make the conversation feel much more collaborative.
Ultimately, commodes and toilet aids are there to solve a practical problem. For some older parents, having the right equipment available can make a deeply personal part of daily life more manageable while preserving as much privacy, choice and independence as possible.
Shower Stools and Chairs: Providing Support While Washing
The bathroom is one area of the home where changes in mobility can have a particularly noticeable effect on your parent's independence.
If your mum or dad finds standing for the duration of a shower difficult, they may start shortening their showers, avoiding them or relying more heavily on somebody else for assistance. In these circumstances, an appropriate shower stool or shower chair can provide a place to sit while washing.
Fenetic Wellbeing's home aids range includes shower stools and chairs, with features available across the range including adjustable heights, drainage holes, removable backrests, folding designs and shower head holders.
As with any home aid, the important thing isn't to choose the product with the longest list of features. It's to understand what your parent is finding difficult and select equipment that appropriately addresses those needs.
What Is the Difference Between a Shower Stool and Shower Chair?
Both are designed to provide seating for use while showering, but the designs can differ.
A shower stool provides a seat without necessarily having the more substantial structure of a chair. A shower chair can offer additional features such as a backrest, depending on the particular model.
Which arrangement your parent prefers will depend on their individual requirements, so it's important to check the specifications of the individual product before deciding.
When Might My Parent Benefit from Sitting Down in the Shower?
Think about how your parent currently manages their shower.
Can they comfortably remain standing for as long as they need to wash? Are they beginning to find the process tiring? Have they started avoiding longer showers because standing has become difficult?
If your parent is capable of washing themselves but standing throughout the entire process has become challenging, appropriate shower seating may provide useful support.
Rather than somebody else necessarily needing to take over the task, providing a suitable place to sit could help your parent continue doing more for themselves.
Can a Shower Chair Help My Parent Maintain Their Independence?
For an appropriate user, this is one of the biggest reasons to consider one.
As we've seen throughout this guide, sometimes it's only one element of an everyday activity that has become difficult.
Your parent might still be perfectly capable of washing themselves, for example, but struggle with standing for a prolonged period. A suitable shower chair or stool can address that particular issue without taking the rest of the activity out of their hands.
For an older parent who values their privacy, finding practical ways to continue managing personal care can be particularly important.
Why Do Some Shower Chairs Have Drainage Holes?
Fenetic Wellbeing's home aids range includes bathing equipment with drainage holes.
These allow water to drain through the seat rather than simply collecting on its surface. It's a relatively simple design feature, but one that's specifically suited to equipment intended for wet environments.
When comparing shower seating, look at the complete design rather than considering one feature in isolation.
Should I Choose an Adjustable Shower Chair?
Fenetic Wellbeing offers bathing aids with adjustable-height designs, which can be useful when choosing equipment according to an individual's requirements.
If you're considering an adjustable model, look carefully at the product specifications and think about how the chair will fit within your parent's existing shower space.
It's important that your parent has equipment appropriate for their individual needs rather than simply adjusting a product without understanding the correct position for them.
Are Folding Shower Chairs Available?
Fenetic Wellbeing's range includes foldable bathing aids, which may appeal when bathroom space is limited or you don't want the equipment permanently taking up as much room.
This could be particularly useful in a shared bathroom where other members of the household also use the shower.
However, convenience shouldn't be the only consideration. Your parent's ability to use the equipment appropriately should always come first.
What If Getting Into the Bath Is the Problem Instead?
It's useful to distinguish between difficulty standing while washing and difficulty lowering yourself into and getting back out of a bath.
If your parent still enjoys having a bath but getting down into it has become the main obstacle, Fenetic Wellbeing also offers bath lifts. These are designed to lower the user into the bath and raise them again afterwards.
That distinction illustrates why identifying the specific difficulty matters so much. A shower chair, bath lift and other bathroom aids may all help with personal care, but they address different needs.
How Do I Choose Bathroom Aids for an Elderly Parent?
Begin by talking to your parent about what they're actually finding difficult.
Rather than saying, "I think you need a shower chair," you might ask whether standing throughout their shower is becoming tiring or whether there's a particular part of their bathing routine they'd like to make easier.
You can then look at the available options together and consider factors such as the type of seating, adjustability, available bathroom space and individual product features.
For many families, the goal is simple: make the bathroom work better for your parent's changing needs so they can continue managing as much of their personal routine as possible.
Adjustable Mobility Beds: Helping Your Parents Stay Comfortable and Independent
A good night's sleep matters at every age, but the practicalities of getting comfortable in bed can change as your parents get older.
Your mum or dad might find that getting into a comfortable resting position takes more effort than it once did. Sitting themselves upright in bed may become more difficult, or they may simply appreciate being able to change their position without having to repeatedly rearrange pillows or rely on somebody else for assistance.
When bedroom needs become more significant, it may be worth looking beyond smaller home aids and considering an adjustable mobility bed.
Fenetic Wellbeing offers adjustable beds that allow the user to change their position using powered adjustments. For the right person, this can provide a more adaptable sleeping and resting environment while helping them retain greater control over their own comfort.
What Is an Adjustable Mobility Bed?
An adjustable mobility bed is designed to allow the sleeping position to be altered rather than remaining completely flat and fixed.
Fenetic Wellbeing's adjustable beds use electric controls, allowing different areas of the bed to be raised or lowered according to the user's requirements.
This means your parent can adjust their position without manually rearranging the bed every time they want to sit more upright or change how they're resting.
How Can an Adjustable Bed Help an Elderly Parent?
One of the biggest advantages is greater control over positioning.
Think about how often somebody changes position while they're in bed. Your parent may want to lie down to sleep, raise themselves into a more upright position at another time or make smaller adjustments until they find a position they prefer.
With a conventional bed, achieving those different positions can mean rearranging pillows or asking somebody else for assistance. A powered adjustable bed provides another way of changing the bed's position.
For an older parent who can operate the controls themselves, that can make their bedroom feel better suited to their changing needs.
Can an Adjustable Bed Help My Parent Stay Independent?
Potentially, and this is where adjustable beds fit particularly well within a wider discussion about home aids for elderly parents.
Independence isn't limited to walking around the house or managing personal care. It can also mean being able to make yourself comfortable without having to call somebody else every time you want to change position.
If your parent is able to use the bed's controls appropriately, a powered adjustable bed can give them more direct control over how they're positioned.
As with the smaller home aids we've discussed, the principle is the same: provide assistance with the part of an everyday activity that has become difficult while allowing your parent to retain control wherever possible.
Are Adjustable Beds Only for Sleeping?
No. A bed isn't necessarily used exclusively for sleeping, particularly if your parent spends more time resting in their bedroom.
Being able to raise the bed can create different positions for resting and other suitable activities carried out in bed.
This can also work well alongside other bedroom equipment. For example, an overbed table can provide an accessible surface for everyday belongings, while the adjustable bed allows your parent to alter their resting position.
Looking at the bedroom as a whole can therefore be more useful than considering each individual aid in isolation.
What Adjustable Bed Sizes Does Fenetic Wellbeing Offer?
Fenetic Wellbeing offers adjustable beds in a choice of sizes and configurations, providing options for different bedrooms and requirements.
When choosing one for your parent, don't assume that the bed they're currently using is automatically the most appropriate size to replace it with. Look at the available space in their bedroom as well as the dimensions and specifications of the particular adjustable bed you're considering.
You'll also want to think about how much clear space your parent needs around their bed and any other mobility equipment they use within the bedroom.
What Should I Look for When Buying an Adjustable Bed for My Parents?
Start with your parent's actual needs.
Ask what they're currently finding difficult about their existing bed. Is changing position the problem? Would they like greater control over how they sit or lie? Are there other aspects of their bedroom setup that are making their daily routine less convenient?
From there, consider practical factors including bed size, available bedroom space, adjustability and how comfortably your parent can operate the controls.
It's also worth thinking beyond the bed itself. If your parent uses other mobility equipment, consider how easily they can move around the bedroom and access the bed within the available space.
Should I Buy an Adjustable Bed Without Asking My Parent?
Unless circumstances require somebody else to make decisions on their behalf, it's generally better to involve your parent in choosing equipment they're going to use every day.
A bed is an especially personal purchase. Your parent will be the person sleeping and resting in it, so their comfort and preferences matter.
Talk about what they're finding difficult, look at the available options together and give them the opportunity to ask questions.
This approach applies to virtually every home aid in this guide. You're not simply adapting a house for an older person; you're helping your mum or dad make their own home continue to work for them.
For parents whose bedroom needs have changed, the right adjustable mobility bed can be a significant step beyond smaller daily living aids, providing a more adaptable place to sleep, rest and relax while keeping control of their position within easy reach.
Find the Right Home Aids for Your Parents
Helping your parents adapt to changing mobility doesn't always require major changes to their home. Sometimes, a thoughtfully chosen home aid can make an everyday task easier while helping Mum or Dad continue doing more for themselves.
At Fenetic Wellbeing, you'll find a wide range of home aids designed to support different aspects of everyday life, from reaching aids and overbed tables to perching stools, commodes and bathroom aids. If your parent's needs extend to the bedroom, you can also explore Fenetic Wellbeing's range of adjustable mobility beds.
The best place to start is with your parent. Talk about what they're finding difficult, consider what would make the biggest difference to their day and explore the available options together.
Browse Fenetic Wellbeing's range of home aids today to find practical solutions that could make life at home more comfortable and manageable for your parent.
