Caregiving: Identify areas for safety

Q. What are the most common tasks that caregivers perform that could be simplified or made easier with innovative equipment? 

A. Caregivers have a unique perspective and often face challenges that are overlooked by mainstream DME manufacturers. This presents a significant opportunity to develop products and services that better meet their needs. 

As a designer with 30 years of experience in the medical device field, I have focused on identifying unmet needs and creating products to address them. My latest project was inspired by a caregiver who suffered a shoulder injury while assisting her husband with mobility. Before this, I was not familiar with the specific challenges caregivers face or the differences between mobility aids like wheelchairs and transport chairs. Over the past five years, I have listened to hundreds of caregivers to understand their needs better. 

Caregivers often perform tasks that are physically demanding and require great attention to safety. Here are three common tasks that could be simplified or made safer with innovative equipment: 

Transferring & lifting patients 

Motorized lift chairs, ceiling-mounted lifts, and portable transfer devices, such as slide boards and transfer belts with handles, can make patient transfers safer and reduce the risk of falls and injuries. 

Assisting with mobility & walking 

Robotic exoskeletons, advanced walkers with stability features and smart canes that provide feedback on posture and gait can enhance safety and reduce the strain on caregivers. 

Bathing & personal hygiene 

Equipment like walk-in bathtubs, shower chairs with wheels, non-slip flooring solutions and automated bathing systems can make bathing tasks safer and more comfortable for both caregivers and care recipients. 

Using innovative equipment can greatly enhance the safety and efficiency of caregiving, protecting both caregivers and those they care for. 

David Carson is the CEO and co-founder of CareGlider. Reach him at david@careglider.net.