This Carers Week (8-14th June 2026), we’ve looked at how even the simplest daily living aids can help reduce some of the pressure carers feel.
With an estimated one in seven of the workforce also being unpaid carers, any support that makes day-to-day life easier can make a real difference.
Caring for a loved one at home can be incredibly rewarding, but it often comes with hidden challenges – from physical strain and exhaustion to worries about safety and loss of independence. With so many people balancing work alongside caring responsibilities, the good news is that daily living aids can make caring easier, safer and more sustainable for both carers and those they support.
How daily living aids help carers and loved ones
Daily living aids are assistive products designed to make everyday tasks easier. They range from simple tools, such as jar openers, to larger pieces of equipment like bath lifts or hoists. Crucially, these aids promote independence and safety, helping the person being cared for to do more for themselves while reducing the physical and emotional demands on carers.
Below are some key categories of aids and how they support carers in real-life caring situations.
Mobility aids: supporting movement and reducing falls
Walking sticks, walking frames, rollators and wheelchairs are all common mobility aids. They provide stability and support so an individual can move around with less hands-on assistance from their carer. For example, a walking frame offers far more stability than holding on to someone’s arm.
How they help:
Mobility aids allow the cared-for person to move more independently, reducing the physical effort required from the carer. This means less strain, fewer potentially dangerous situations and greater peace of mind. When someone feels steadier on their feet, they are less likely to fall – helping to keep both carer and cared-for person safe.
Some rollators also include a built-in seat, so if someone becomes tired they can rest safely, rather than the carer needing to steady them or find a chair.
Bathing and toileting aids: safer hygiene for everyone
Bathing, showering and toileting can be some of the most challenging daily tasks. Carers may need to lift or support someone in wet, slippery environments, increasing the risk of back strain and falls, while the person being cared for may feel uncomfortable needing help with personal care.
Bathing and toileting aids include:
- Bath lifts and bath seats – gently lower and raise someone in and out of the bath
- Shower chairs or stools – allow safe seated showering
- Grab rails and non-slip mats – provide support and reduce the risk of slips
- Raised toilet seats and toilet frames – make sitting down and standing up easier
- Commodes – standalone chairs with a concealed toilet pan for easier access
How they help:
Bath lifts and shower chairs significantly reduce lifting and bending. An electric bath lift, for example, lowers a person into the bath at the touch of a button and raises them back up afterwards, meaning the carer does not have to bear the person’s weight or bend awkwardly. Even a simple bath board allows someone to sit and slide into the bath more safely.
Using shower stools and bath seats also improves safety, allowing carers to assist without constantly balancing or bracing someone on a slippery surface. Raised toilet seats reduce the effort needed to sit and stand, meaning carers have to provide less physical support, while the person using the toilet benefits from greater independence and dignity.
Other helpful daily living aids
Smaller aids can also have a big impact, including:
- Dressing and personal care aids such as shoehorns and long-handled brushes
- Household and kitchen aids like two-handled cups, easy-grip cutlery and kettle tippers
- Reachers and grabbers to help pick up or reach items without bending
Benefits for carers and loved ones
For carers, daily living aids can offer:
- Reduced physical strain
- Improved safety
- Time savings and convenience
- Greater confidence and peace of mind
For the person being cared for, they can support:
- Greater independence
- Improved comfort and dignity
- Enhanced safety and wellbeing
Many carers find that even a few well-chosen daily living aids can make a profound difference. If you are a carer, it may be helpful to seek professional advice – for example from an occupational therapist, your local authority adult social care team, or a specialist daily living aids retailer – to identify the most suitable equipment, find your local NRS retailer.
In some cases, equipment may be available on loan free of charge from your local community equipment service, you will usually need a referral from your health and social care team, they can be found by searching on your local authority webpage or by calling the main contact number on any local authority literature you have received.
You may also find support through local carers’ groups. Organisations such as Carers UK and Carers Trust offer services and advice across the UK.
Caring for someone can feel daunting, but you are not alone. With the right daily living aids and support in place, caring can become safer, easier and more manageable, allowing you to focus on the moments that truly matter. Even small changes can have a big impact on everyday life – for both carers and those they care for.
