You may experience problems with balance when any of your muscles, joints, eyes, balance organ in
your inner ear, nerves, or heart and blood vessels are not working normally. Or when affected by
certain medications.

This can threaten your confidence, independence and safety in getting around at home. In
particular, this is when you need to walk distances unaided, negotiate the bath/shower or, when you
want to free both hands to reach and carry items.

However, not to be beaten, you CAN take positive steps to address the situation. Specifically, you
should consider having:

1. Something to hold on to when standing and transferring from one position to another and, avoiding walking any distance unaided e.g. grab rails, hand rails, floor to ceiling poles, chair with arms, walking canes, crutches, walking frames, and rollators.
   
2. Something to sit on rather than having to remain standing unaided such as, a shower stool or shower chair, bath board over the bath, toilet seat raiser, a kitchen stool when preparing food.
   
3. Something to replace slippery floors such as non-slip mats in the bathroom, or beside the bed. Also, consider removing tripping hazards in the home, such as loose floor mats.
   
4. Something to help carry items while your hands are busy holding mobility equipment, such as a kitchen tray mobile, carry bags, wrist straps.
   
5. Something to help you with reaching (avoiding being thrown off balance) such as, long handled reachers for picking up from the floor and dressing lower limbs, shower hose for showering or bathing. Further, you could consider rearranging cupboards so as frequently used clothes and items are kept in a handy location.
   

The Mobility Store always recommends you consult a suitably qualified health professional such as an
occupational therapist for additional advice on your specific situation.