10 Tips to Modify Your Home for Your Loved One’s Discharge from the Hospital to Promote Greater Independence

If you prefer not to change the bed, you can use a backrest with an adjustable angle to provide support when sitting up to eat, drink, or read. Additionally, installing a bedrail can help prevent falls.

Another option is to invest in a hospital bed, either manual or electric.

For a home setting, many people now prefer auto-reclining beds with wooden frames. These beds help create a homelike atmosphere, which many of them find comforting and conducive to faster recovery.

For those with a high risk of falling, you can install a bed exit alarm to alert you when the patient attempts to leave the bed, enhancing safety and peace of mind.

Installing ramps at entrances, walkways, and bathrooms can significantly improve accessibility for your loved ones who use wheelchairs or commode chairs. Measure the height and width of entrances to choose the appropriate ramp size.

Keep walkways and areas around furniture free from clutter to ensure easy and safe movement around the home. This reduces the risk of tripping and falling.

Check out our ramp collection here!

Grab bars provide essential stability and reduce the risk of falls. Here’s how to effectively use them:

• Straight Grab Bars: Install these horizontally or vertically. Vertical bars help stand up, while horizontal bars assist with walking along walls.
• Beside the Toilet: Consider installing flip-up grab bars to help the patient stand up safely.
• Shower Area: An L-shaped grab bar can provide additional support.

The proper height to install a grab bar for the toilet is between 33 and 36 inches from the floor.

If drilling into walls is not an option, you can use adhesive grab bars or consider other alternatives like toilet seats and raisers.

In areas where wall-mounted grab bars are not feasible, stander poles with curve grab bars offer support and stability.

We offer the Korean brand AngelGrip, featuring an eco-friendly silicone finish and available in five customized colours to enhance your interior design.

Please check our grab bar collection!

These make bathing easier and safer, giving more independence in personal care.

If you need a portable toilet to place next to the bed, the Etac Swift 3-in-1 commode is very convenient.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly commode, visit our commode collection and sort the items by price from low to high.

A commode shower chair with wheels is essential for transferring a patient to the bathroom.

Your loved one may sometimes have difficulty extending their hands to comb their hair or brush their back. We recommand using an Etac long body washer and long comb to make these tasks easier. A multi-purpose grip can also help hold small items like a toothbrush or razor, and assisting with daily activities.

Typically, doctors, physiotherapists, or occupational therapists will prescribe suitable mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, or quad canes based on your loved one's condition. You may also need to reorganize the home environment to accommodate these aids.

For wheelchairs, a model with detachable armrests and footrests is often recommended to facilitate easier transfers. If your loved one has spinal issues, consider using a reclining wheelchair with head support and adjustable armrests.

If your loved one tends to fall or slide easily when sitting on a chair, sofa, or wheelchair, you can add an anti-slip seating mat with a one-way glide feature to help them maintain a good sitting posture.

To facilitate caring for your loved one, consider using a patient gown. These gowns are easy to put on and help in mobilizing the patient comfortably.

your loved ones may often find movement more challenging, but adaptive clothing with magnetic buttons can make dressing independently much easier. Despite mobility issues, they can still wear stylish and dignified clothing.

Rearrange the furniture at home to ensure that essential items are within easy reach for your loved one, promoting accessibility and independence.

Clear clutter and arrange furniture to create wide, open pathways that are easy to navigate, especially for those using mobility aids.

In many Asian cultures, the use of lazy chairs is common, but prolonged use can lead to poor posture and slouching.

Avoid using lazy chairs, which can be difficult to get out of and provide inadequate support. Instead, opt for high-back chairs, geriatric chairs, or lift chairs that offer better support and make it easier for your loved one to sit and stand independently. These types of chairs can improve posture and reduce the risk of falls.

Equip the kitchen with adaptive gadgets to make meal preparation easier and safer for your loved one. Items like ergonomic utensils, jar openers, easy-grip cutting boards, and automatic can openers can help those with limited strength or dexterity maintain their independence while cooking. These tools can enhance their ability to perform daily tasks comfortably and safely.

Do you ever experience weakness in your hands while preparing food? If so, you might want to consider switching to adaptive utensils, a cutting board, and a preparation board. The Etac Fix preparation board is designed to facilitate tasks such as grating, cutting, whisking, and peeling, even for individuals with weak hands or limited hand function.

This sturdy board stands securely on its four friction feet or the enclosed suction feet, ensuring stability during use. Its jaws securely hold a bowl, grater, or piece of food in place, while a small plate with spikes can be used to stabilize smaller food items. Additionally, the plate can be removed and positioned with the spikes pointing downward to create a flat surface for other tasks.

Another alternative is to utilize the EazyHold Cuff Grip assistance. This adaptive aid is highly effective for your loved one in carrying out their daily activities, thanks to its range of different-sized EazyHold options.

Exercise is important. Exercise is crucial for recovery and maintaining overall health. Use fitness gadgets like wearable fitness trackers, exercise bands, or compact exercise equipment to help your loved one stay active and monitor their progress. These tools can provide motivation and ensure they are safely engaging in physical activity.

Check out our Fitness products here!