Home Products for Elderly Care

The right equipment can keep older adults safe and healthy at home.

Caring for older adults means choosing and buying supplies to meet often complex medical and comfort needs. Learn what supplies are needed and how to cover medical equipment costs.

Types

The Department of Health and Human Services' list of needed supplies for elder care includes mobility aids such as walkers, canes, and wheelchairs, hospital beds, or oxygen tubing and tanks. Elders also may need continence products such as absorbent briefs, skin barrier creams, and skin wipes or diabetic monitoring products such as glucometers, test strips and lancets.

Benefits

The right products can help older adults stay mobile, prevent falls and injuries and remain comfortable and healthy. According to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare will cover the cost of many specialized supplies, although it does require that Medicare recipients rent or purchase equipment from Medicare-contracted suppliers.

Considerations

Cost and safety are important considerations in choosing and purchasing products for elderly care. Check insurance coverage and any available community organizations that offer financial assistance for caregiving supplies. The National Council on Aging's benefits checkup website can link eligible seniors to various assistance programs that may help with medical equipment and supply costs. Also, check used or donated supplies carefully for any defects, and ask a physician or durable medical equipment provider to examine them before use.

References

• DHHS: Durable Medical Equipment and Supplies
• Medicare.gov: Medicare and You
• CMS: Medicare Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment and Other Devices