Do it yourself: home-made aids for disabled elderly people

We contacted the caregivers of patients admitted on a hospital respite care scheme and asked them about home-made or modified aids and appliances. Seven home-made devices were discovered and inspected. They were an electric hoist, a builder's plastic skip used as a bath, a wheelchair support and tray made out of chipboard, stair rails made from old steel pipe, an improvised commode and a modified standard commode enabling the user to be cleaned in the sitting position. Several gadgets were innovative; others were dangerous. Two caregivers had injured themselves using the improvised aids. Others were at risk of injury. With an increasing tendency for Community Agencies to charge for equipment, more caregivers may design and build their own aids-some of which may be hazardous. Health professionals who visit elderly people at home should look for home-made gadgets with a view to promoting safety and discovering innovations which may help others.