Practical Products That Might Help
A short list of product categories that come up again and again when families are caring for someone at home — fall prevention, home safety, recovery, and personal care.
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Safety at home
The three things families ask about most: falling, wandering, and the stove being left on. None of these need to mean giving up independence — the right small piece of equipment often solves the immediate worry.
Fall detection sensors
A wearable or clip-on sensor that can detect a fall and alert a family member or emergency contact automatically — useful for anyone living alone who might not be able to reach a phone after a fall.
GPS wearables
For families worried about a parent with memory changes becoming disoriented or wandering, a simple GPS wearable can offer real peace of mind — often far less intrusive than it sounds.
Auto-shutoff gas stove devices
A very common early safety concern is a parent forgetting to turn off the stove. Auto-shutoff devices and sensors reduce that specific risk without taking away independence in the kitchen.
Recovery & mobility
After a hospital stay or a period of reduced movement, a few simple products can support recovery and reduce the risk of complications.
Compression socks
Commonly recommended during recovery from reduced mobility or after a hospital stay, to support circulation and reduce swelling risk. Worth asking the GP or hospital physio which grade is right.
Personal care & comfort
Continence changes are common and completely manageable with the right products — nothing to feel embarrassed about. Quality products make a real, practical difference to comfort and dignity, for the person and for whoever’s helping them.
The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) pays up to $717.10/year toward continence products — pads, catheters, drainage bags. Initiated by your GP, available in all states, no cost to apply.
Our sister site AskMyGP has a plain-English guide to CAPS, MASS (QLD), and NDIS continence funding.
CAPS & continence funding guide →Continence products
A wide range of absorbency levels and styles are available — what works well varies a lot from person to person, so it’s often worth trying a small pack of a few types first.
Bathroom & fall prevention
Bathrooms are the highest-risk room in the house. Grab rails, non-slip mats, and a shower chair can prevent a fall that ends independence — and they cost a fraction of what a hospital admission does.
Grab rails & bathroom safety rails
Wall-mounted rails beside the toilet, shower, and bath are one of the most effective fall-prevention measures an OT will recommend. Suction-cup versions don’t require installation.
Non-slip bath & shower mats
A simple, low-cost intervention. Suction-backed mats in the shower and bath dramatically reduce slip risk on wet surfaces.
Shower chairs & bath seats
For anyone who struggles to stand for a full shower, or who is recovering from surgery. Adjustable height, with or without arms and back support.
Mobility & daily independence
The things that make the difference between managing at home and not managing at home — getting out of a chair, reaching the bed safely, staying connected.
Raised toilet seats
Raises the toilet height by 10–15cm, making it significantly easier to sit down and stand up — particularly helpful after hip or knee surgery, or for anyone with reduced mobility.
Bed rails & bed assist handles
Helps someone get in and out of bed safely without needing another person. Fits between the mattress and base — no installation. Particularly useful at night.
Reaching & dressing aids
Long-handled reachers, sock aids, button hooks, and dressing sticks for maintaining independence with daily dressing when bending or reaching is difficult.
Memory & orientation
For families managing early-to-moderate dementia at home, the right small aids can reduce confusion and anxiety significantly — without removing independence.
Dementia clocks & day/date displays
Large-display clocks that clearly show the day, date, and time of day (Morning / Afternoon / Evening / Night). Reduces the anxiety of not knowing where in the day you are — a very common distress for people with dementia.
Medication dispensers & pill organisers
From simple weekly pill boxes to automatic dispensers that beep at scheduled times and dispense the right dose — a significant safety measure for anyone on multiple medications.
Personal alarms & SOS pendants
A wearable button that calls for help when pressed — simpler than a fall sensor, useful for someone who’s aware enough to press it. Works at home and sometimes in the garden.
None of this replaces professional advice. An occupational therapist can do a proper home safety assessment and recommend equipment specific to the situation — often subsidised through Support at Home or CHSP. Ask My Aged Care (1800 200 422) about an OT assessment before buying equipment for a specific medical need.