For people who have difficulty getting up out of a seat it can sometimes be a bit of a tricky moment as they go from the seated to standing position and although they may have a frame or walking stick it can sometimes feel like theres not much support as they lift up out of a chair and may feel vulnerable for a moment until they are in a standing position.

A lifting cushion provides support for the person as they lift from the seat, the cushion has hydraulics that enables it to support around 80% of the users weight so as they begin to get up, their backside is still supported and makes it much easier, safer and overall more reassuring.

The lifting cushion is not permanently fitted so it means that it can be taken anywhere and placed on most types of seats.

Lifting cushions start at around £120, they have washable covers and are comfortable for the user, usually with memory foam.

They can be adjusted to suit the users bodyweight so that as the person begins to move upwards the lifting cushion supports accordingly.

Apart from many mobility aids enabling people to get out and about as well as moving around their own home, they also provide a chance for the user to excercise and to try and maintain strength of various parts of the body.

The movement also helps with circulation which can help someone recovering if they are just using mobility aids temporarily but also its beneficial for the long term user of mobility aids.

To help keep up leg strength and from the comfort of your own home you can use a Pedal Exerciser, you even have the comfort of being able to stay seated in your favorite chair, you just place the pedal exerciser in front of you on the floor, slip your feet onto the pedals and can do a gentle pedal.

It can help maintain muscle in your lower and upper legs and is even good to warm up those muscles for a few minutes and getting the blood flowing nicely before actually venturing outside.

You have the freedom to pedal for as little or as long as you’re comfortable with and by doing it as regularly as possible you keep blood flowing well throughout your legs which also helps the circulation throughout your whole body.

You can usually adjust the resistance setting so that it’s not too difficult for you and the pedals are non-slip to avoid any accidents.

A pedal exerciser can be purchased for around £25 and one should last you for quite some time and provide you with gentle and comfortable excercise any time that you’re ready to use it.

At bathing times you may not require the use of a walk-in bath but at the same time need that extra bit of help for getting in and out of the bath a little easier.

With a bath step it lessens the effort required by yourself but it also adds to safety too, care still needs to be taken while entering and exiting the bath even with a step but at least you have the added benefit of not having to try and deal with the movement in one go, rather you can take your time a little more while getting in and out.

Bath steps will usually have a padded area on the surface so that it’s comfortable for you as you use the step and also provides grip and the underneath of the steps are designed so that they wont move or slip as you are using them.

They are safe to use while your body is wet so you dont have to worry about wet feet adding to any risk of slipping, though as mentioned above, care should still always be taken while getting in and out of the bath in general.

Usually they will support a maximum user weight of 30 st.

Prices for bath steps can start at under £20, depending on what you need.