The Unexpected Safety Hero: 3 Surprising Uses for Tennis Balls in Senior Care
Posted by Kalahna Bell, RN on
As the children of aging parents, we constantly look for ways to help them stay safe... But sometimes, the most helpful solutions are found in the most unexpected places.
Today, we're focusing on: The humble tennis ball!
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... But this tip is for a different kind of mobility: Chairs!
- 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.
2. 🚶 The Walker Whisperer
The standard plastic tips or caps on the rear legs of a walker often catch, drag, or scrape on uneven sidewalks.
- The Fix: Similar to the chairs, cut an "X" into two tennis balls and slide them onto the back two legs of the walker.
- The Result: Tennis balls offer a much larger, softer, and more forgiving contact point.
3. ✋ The Grip Booster
Arthritis, carpal tunnel, or general weakness can make gripping small, essential items a painful and difficult task.
- The Fix: Use a drill with a bit slightly smaller than the object's handle to create a snug hole in the tennis ball.
- The Result: The object now has a significantly larger, softer, and more padded handle.
Need More Than Just a Tennis Ball?
These simple tricks are a great start, but we understand that senior care often requires professional support.
Family First Nursing Services provides personalized care plans.