Assistive devices are tools we can use or install to make everyday activities safer, reduce our risk of falls, and help us stay independent.
Click on the examples below to learn more:
Grab bars should be installed in places where you may lose your balance. They should be installed by a professional to ensure they are at the correct level and properly attached to the wall. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has Certified Aging-In-Place Specialists (under Designation: Select CAPS and under State choose WI or call the NAHB at 800-368-5242) who work in many communities. If you can’t find a certified professional, check with your local county or tribal aging unit or Aging & Disability Resource Center. Grab bars should be installed:
By the toilet
33-36″ from the floor
Around the bathtub
8-10″ from the rim of the tub
In the shower
33-36″ from the floor
The exact height and location of the grab bars depends on the user. It is recommended to have three grab bars in the shower and bathtub, one at the entrance, one on the inside wall, and another by or near the faucet handles underneath the shower head.
In addition, they should be placed:
Towel racks are NOT grab bars! But grab bars can be towel racks. Grab bars that don’t require drilling are also available if you don’t want to or can’t make any structural changes to your space, and grab bars are even available in different styles to suit your needs.
In addition to grab bars:
Sometimes called “grabbers,” reachers are handy tools that help us safely pick up or grab items that are out of reach without climbing on a stepstool, stretching, or leaning in a way that could leave us unsteady. Keep a reacher in your home to grab cans from high shelves, pick up items from the floor, or get other hard-to-reach objects. A reacher can help us stay safe and steady while avoiding unnecessary bending and stretching.
Handrails should be available wherever there are steps. For example, the front and back doors of your home and all staircases in the home. Most staircases only have one handrail, but handrails on both sides are a great option to keep you safe. Ensure all handrails are installed securely and you can grip your hand over them (they aren’t too wide or thick).
There are different types of canes and walkers, and the one that is best for you depends on several factors, such as your strength, balance, and fitness level. Canes are often used if you have a weak and/or painful lower extremity (foot, hip, or leg) that makes it hard to walk or keep your balance. Walkers may be used if you are unsteady on your feet or have poor balance. Before using a cane or walker, you should talk to your provider to see if this type of assistive device is best for you. They may connect you with a physical therapist who can help you choose the right type of cane or walker and show you the right way to use it.
There are items that we can use during the icy Wisconsin winters to help make our canes easier to use. Ice tips can be used and switched out for the regular cane tip to help add traction and stability. Ice tips range in price from $8-$55+.
Kate Brewer, Physical Therapist
Kate Brewer, Physical Therapist
Walking poles are often used for hiking, but they can also be helpful for everyday walks around your neighborhood. They can provide extra support when walking on uneven or changing surfaces. You can use a sturdy stick from the woods or buy a walking pole from the store. Store-bought poles may have features like adjustable heights, comfortable grips, or shock absorption. They can cost anywhere from $20 to $100 or more.
Walking poles can help us feel steadier and more confident when walking on uneven ground. Using two walking poles—one in each hand—can give us extra support and provide a light upper-body workout as we walk. Choosing the right walking pole is important. Look for a pole that is taller than your elbow, is straight, and doesn’t bend when you press it firmly into the ground.
If you use only one walking pole, you can hold it in either hand. As you walk, move the pole forward with your opposite leg. If you use two poles, move each pole forward with the opposite leg. With practice, using walking poles should feel natural, just like the normal swing of your arms when you walk!
If you already use a cane or walker, you should continue to use that device instead of a walking stick.
A medical alert device can help connect you with emergency services if you fall or have another emergency. Find more information on medical alert devices.
My dad got stuck in the bathtub because he had fallen backwards. And because he didn’t have his [medical alert] button on him my brother didn’t find him till about six hours later.
Sue (age 69)
Vilas County, WI
A smart speaker is a small audio device that connects to your Wi-Fi network and has a built-in voice assistant (such as Alexa, Google, or Siri). You can “talk” to the device and the voice assistant can do things such as add an item to your phone’s grocery list, turn on music, or call 911 if you have a fall and don’t have a cell phone on you. Smart speakers range in price from $20-$200+.
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