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 appli ances. Seven home-made devices were discovered and inspected. They wer e an electric hoist, a builder's plastic skip used as a bath, a wheelc hair support and tray made out of chipboard, stair rails made from old steel pipe, an improvised commode and a modified standard commode ena bling the user to be cleaned in the sitting position. Several gadgets were innovative; others were dangerous. Two caregivers had injured the mselves 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 hom e should look for home-made gadgets with a view to promoting safety an d discovering innovations which may help others.