Blog Post Title - Family First Nursing Services

As the children of aging parents, we constantly look for ways to help them stay safe and comfortable at home. We check the medication, organize the pantry, and maybe even look into installing grab bars. But sometimes, the most helpful solutions are found in the most unexpected places.

Today, we're focusing on an item you might already have tucked away in a closet: The humble tennis ball!

You might be thinking, "A tennis ball? How can that help?" Read on, because these three simple, low-cost tricks can make a real difference in preventing falls and improving comfort.

1. 🪑 The Furniture Glide Secret

If your parent uses a walker, cane, or any kind of mobility aid, you know the struggle of keeping the small rubber tips clean and effective. But this tip is for a different kind of mobility: Chairs!

Heavy, wooden, or metal dining chairs can be surprisingly difficult for a senior to move on their own. They often drag, leading to jarring movements, instability, or even making them lose their balance while trying to scoot closer to the table.

The Fix: Cut a small "X" into the top of four tennis balls and carefully slide one onto each chair leg.
The Result: The chair will now glide smoothly and silently across the floor. This eliminates the need for your parent to strain or use excessive force, making sitting down and getting up significantly safer and easier.

2. 🚶 The Walker Whisperer (A Classic for a Reason)

While you may have seen this one before, it's a must-do tip for any senior using a front-wheeled walker on surfaces other than carpet.

The standard plastic tips or caps on the rear legs of a walker often catch, drag, or scrape on uneven sidewalks, door thresholds, or even slightly warped kitchen tile. This sudden stoppage is a common cause of falls.

The Fix: Similar to the chairs, cut an "X" into two tennis balls and slide them onto the back two legs of the walker (replacing the existing tips). While there are more expensive, commercial options available, such as Glide Skis, the tennis ball remains the lowest-cost, most readily available solution for improving walker safety today.
The Result: Tennis balls offer a much larger, softer, and more forgiving contact point. They allow the walker to glide effortlessly over small bumps and obstacles, ensuring the device remains stable and reducing the risk of a trip.

3. ✋ The Grip Booster

Arthritis, carpal tunnel, or general weakness can make gripping small, essential items a painful and difficult task. Things like toothbrushes, pens, or even the handles of eating utensils can become a daily source of frustration.

The Fix: Use a drill with a bit slightly smaller than the object's handle to create a snug hole in the tennis ball. Carefully push the pen, toothbrush, or utensil handle into the hole. The rubber of the tennis ball should grip the handle tightly. Avoid using glue as it's messy and unnecessary if the hole is sized correctly.
The Result: The object now has a significantly larger, softer, and more padded handle. The grip requires less fine motor control and puts less strain on the finger joints, making daily self-care and activities much easier and more comfortable.

Need More Than Just a Tennis Ball?

These simple tricks are a great start, but we understand that senior care often requires professional support.

If you are noticing your parent struggling with daily activities, having difficulty moving safely around their home, or if you simply need more peace of mind, it may be time to consider professional home health care. Noticing these struggles is often the first, essential step toward getting help. Remember that you don't have to manage those sensitive complex needs alone.

Family First Nursing Services provides personalized care plans, fall risk assessments, and dedicated support to help your loved one stay safe and thriving in the comfort of their own home.