There’s nothing like your own room and your own bed. Dealing with cramped hotel rooms can be difficult for seniors because they lack the conveniences found at home. For the second installment of our Traveling with Seniors series, we’re going to show you some ways to make your stay easier — no matter where that stay might be.

A bed rail that goes anywhere

Many seniors find it difficult to get in and out of bed. When your in an unfamiliar place, your loved one may be at an even greater risk of falling. But you can give them a bit of extra security by bringing along the Beside Econorail. The Bedside Econorail can be installed on just about any bed simply by slipping the base under the mattress. Its lightweight design is also strong, supporting up to 300 pounds.

Bedside Econorail

The Bedside Econorail is collapsible, making it easy to travel with and store. When you’re ready to use it, just slip it out of the included carrying case and snap it together in just a few seconds. No tools required.

Gait belts for added stability when walking and transferring

Seniors often have compromised balance. This can be due to many reasons. But one way to give your loved one more stability when moving from one point to another is by using a gait belt. Gait belts can help you as a caregiver stay in control when your loved one loses their balance. The Economy Gait Belt is a two inch wide cotton belt with a metal buckle.

Economy Gait Belt

When you slip the belt around your loved one at the waist, you now have a place to securely grasp and help keep your loved one stay balanced upright. Even in the event of a fall, a gait belt allows you to control the fall so that, if need be, you can lower your loved one slowly to the floor and prevent what could otherwise be a serious injury.

Safe and easy transfers

Lightweight Plastic Transfer Board

When your loved one has a lot of difficulty standing and walking, it may be necessary to make use of transfer equipment such as transfer boards and discs. For example, the Lightweight Plastic Transfer Board can help you transfer your loved one from the bed to the wheelchair without requiring you to lift them. This not only reduces the risk of injury to your loved one, but it also reduces the risk of injury to you as the caregiver.

Turn Easy Transfer Disc

Transfer discs are helpful if your loved one can stand but has trouble moving their legs and turning. The Turn Easy Transfer Disc, for example, can be helpful in close spaces such as in between hotel beds. To transfer from the bed to a wheelchair, your loved one stands on the disc as you gently rotate it so that their back is facing the wheelchair. You can even use the gait belt described above when using transfer boards and discs for added stability during transfers.

Away-from-home stays need not deter seniors from traveling. Transfer assists like the ones we’ve described here can make your loved one’s stay easier and more pleasant.

For more tips, see the other articles in the Traveling with Seniors series:

1. Getting in and out of the car easier
2. Portable Transfer Aids for Room Mobility (you are here)
3. Ensure a Comfortable Ride
4. Medication Management on the Go