Caregiving is a tough, demanding job. And although each caregiver finds workable solutions to problems, there are a few incredibly practical tools that no caregiver should be without. We've found five indispensable products that caregivers can use to make their lives easier and to help keep their loved ones comfortable and safe at home.

Motion Sensors

A great resource for anyone caring for a loved one with dementia, motion sensors can be installed on any number of household fixtures, including stoves and faucets. If there’s no movement near the stove or faucet for a specific time, the sensor triggers an automatic shut-off. You can find product descriptions and reviews of various motion sensors at This Caring Home, a website run by Weill Cornell Medical College.

Riser-Blocks for Furniture

Furniture that is low to the ground can be challenging for those with arthritis or balance problems. You can make chairs, sofas and beds easier to get in and out of by placing adjustable riser-blocks under furniture legs.

Calendars

Caregiving is often a tag-team effort between siblings, other family members and professionals. When there are multiple caregivers looking after your loved one on a daily basis, it is essential to find some way of keeping track of appointments, as well as eating, sleeping and medication schedules. Setting up a calendar or log book in which everyone can record and refer to your loved one’s activities is an easy way of getting everyone on the same page.

LED Night Lights

Dark hallways are difficult enough to navigate for anyone, but they can be especially hazardous for a person with limited vision or mobility. When you don’t want to turn on a bright overhead light, LED night lights that plug into a wall socket are environment-friendly, relatively inexpensive, and they’re automatic, which means they turn on and off depending on the level of ambient light in the rest of the hallway.

Traction Socks

Hardwood floors may look lovely, but the slick surface can be dangerous for those with unsteady footing and slower reflexes. A few pairs of tractions socks—they have rubber grips on the soles—will make it easier and safer for your parent to move around with confidence. (Be sure slippers have nonskid bottoms, too.)