Using oxygen at home?
Tubing across the floor is a real trip hazard. Use the shortest length that works, run it along the walls, and ask about portable concentrators that cut down on long tubing.
A safer home, room by room.
What to fix, which equipment helps, and how to get it set up. From the home medical equipment team at our 4 stores across Arizona.
- Local help with equipment
- Walk-ins welcome
- 4 stores in Arizona
Start here · about 30 seconds
Is the home ready?
Question 1 of 5
Have you fallen in the past year?
The first three questions come from the CDC’s STEADI fall-risk screen.
Your starting point
Staying steady
A yes to any of the first three questions means a higher fall risk. Mention it to your doctor. A physical therapist can check balance and strength.
1 in 4
adults 65+ report a fall each yearCDC
43,020
fall deaths among adults 65+ in 2024National Safety Council
26%
lower fall rate when a home is assessed and its hazards are fixedCochrane review, 2023
Wherever you are
Four starting points, one plan
Pick the one that fits, or take the self-check above. We’ll highlight the fixes that matter most in every room.
Nothing highlighted yet.
Room by room
Where do you want to start?
Tap a room. Each one lists the risky moments, the free fixes and the equipment that helps.
Most equipment decisions happen here
Bathroom
Water, hard surfaces and tight turns. Tap a number to see the risky moment, then switch to After to see what changes.
1Risky moment
Stepping over the tub wall
A high step onto a wet, curved surface is one of the riskiest moves in the house.
ShopIllustration. Every fix shown here is also listed in the table below.
Free fixes first
Equipment that helps
| Risky moment | What helps | What it changes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stepping over a high tub wall onto a wet surfaceFits your plan | Transfer benchSupportRecoveringCaregiver | You sit down outside the tub and slide across. No step over the wall. | In storeHSA/FSA |
| Standing through a whole showerFits your plan | Shower chair or stoolSteadySupportRecovering | You bathe seated, so balance is never tested on a slick floor. | BuyHSA/FSA |
| Grabbing a towel bar to steady yourselfFits your plan | Grab bar, anchored into studsSteadySupportRecoveringCaregiver | Built to hold body weight. Towel bars and suction-only bars aren’t. | BuyHSA/FSA |
| Sitting down on and standing up from a low toiletFits your plan | Raised seat with armsToilet safety railsSupportRecoveringCaregiver | Less distance to lower and rise, and something solid to push up from. | BuyHSA/FSA |
| Rushing to the bathroom at nightFits your plan | Bedside commode, plus nightlightsSupportRecoveringCaregiver | Light the path. On some nights, skip the trip altogether. | BuyMay be covered |
| A slick tub floorFits your plan | Suction-grip bath matSteadySupportRecovering | Grip exactly where water collects. | BuyHSA/FSA |
BedroomGetting up at night · 3 fixes
| Risky moment | What helps | What it changes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standing up from a bed that’s too high or too lowFits your plan | Hospital bedOr rent one | The height adjusts so feet rest flat on the floor before you stand. | Rent or buyMay be covered |
| Night trips to the bathroomFits your plan | Bedside commode | The trip shrinks to a step or two. | BuyMay be covered |
| Pulling up on the nightstandFits your plan | Bed assist handle | A fixed handhold for sitting up and standing. Choose one that meets the federal bed rail standard. Not for people with dementia or delirium. | BuyHSA/FSA |
Bed handle or hospital bed?Text us a photo of the bedside and we’ll suggest the safest setup.
Living roomGetting up from soft chairs · 3 fixes
| Risky moment | What helps | What it changes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting up from a soft, low couchFits your plan | Lift chairOr rent one | A powered lift does the hardest part of standing. | Rent or buyHSA/FSA |
| Low tables and clutter in the walking pathFits your plan | Free fix | Move them to the walls and keep a wide, straight path. | Free |
| Cords across the floorFits your plan | Free fix | Run cords along the walls and behind furniture. | Free |
Want to try a lift chair first?Text us to see which lift chairs are on the floor at your nearest store.
KitchenReaching and carrying · 3 fixes
| Risky moment | What helps | What it changes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climbing on a chair to reach a high shelfFits your plan | Reacher, plus a reshuffle | Grab light items without leaving the floor. Keep everyday things between waist and shoulder height. | BuyHSA/FSA |
| Carrying a plate while using a walkerFits your plan | Rollator with a seat and basket | Hands stay on the handles while the basket carries the load. | BuyMay be covered |
| Sitting on a chair that rolls or slidesFits your plan | Free fix | Use a sturdy chair with arms and no wheels. | Free |
Walker or rollator?Text us the person’s height and we’ll have one adjusted to try in store.
Stairs & hallsThresholds, steps and dark halls · 3 fixes
| Risky moment | What helps | What it changes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| A raised threshold between roomsFits your plan | Threshold ramp | Turns a lip into a gentle slope for feet, walkers and wheels. | BuyHSA/FSA |
| One or two steps at the entryFits your plan | Folding ramp | A wheelchair or walker rolls in instead of being lifted over. | BuyHSA/FSA |
| Dark halls and stairs at nightFits your plan | Free fix | Plug-in motion nightlights, and lights at the top and bottom of the stairs. | Low cost |
Measuring for a ramp?Text us the height of the step and we’ll suggest the right ramp length.
Outside & walkwaysWalkways, curbs and the car · 3 fixes
| Risky moment | What helps | What it changes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet or uneven walks and drivewaysFits your plan | Free fix | Clear loose gravel and clutter, avoid wet surfaces, and repair uneven paths. | Low cost |
| Getting in and out of the carFits your plan | A sturdy handhold that fits the door latch, for pushing up to stand. | Ask in storeHSA/FSA | |
| Uneven ground with a cane or walkerFits your plan | A fitted cane or walker | The handle sits at wrist height with arms at your sides, and the rubber tips aren’t worn. | BuyMay be covered |
Heading outside?Text us what feels tricky outside: the steps, the car or the driveway.
Coming home from the hospital
Get the house ready before they walk in.
Most families have a day or two. Here’s the plan.
Text us the discharge date
Send the date and the equipment the care team recommended. We’ll check coverage and line up rentals.
Pick up or get it delivered
Rent for recovery or buy for the long run: hospital beds, wheelchairs, knee scooters, lift chairs and patient lifts. Pickup is often same-day, and we deliver throughout Arizona.
Set up the house
- Bed at a safe height, near the bathroom
- Commode beside the bed for nights
- Walker or wheelchair adjusted to fit
- A clear, lit path to the bathroom
- Transfer bench in the tub
Pick a date to count back the setup steps.
Two more situations
Oxygen at home, and helping someone move
Helping someone move?
Transfers are when people get hurt, including the person helping. A patient lift, a gait belt or a Handy Handle, and a transfer bench make them safer. Lifts can be rented for recovery.
Insurance and cost
Will insurance cover it?
It depends on the item and your plan. Here’s the general rule.
Often covered with a prescription
Medicare and most major plans treat these as medical equipment. Ask our team about your plan, documentation requirements and equipment eligibility.
- Canes and walkers
- Commode chairs
- Hospital beds
- Patient lifts
- Wheelchairs
Usually self-pay
Original Medicare treats these as convenience items. HSA/FSA eligibility and Medicare Advantage allowances depend on your plan and the item. Check before purchasing.
- Grab bars
- Shower chairs and transfer benches
- Raised toilet seats
- Bath mats
Not sure what your plan covers?
Text us and a specialist will follow up to check. Please don’t text medical details or member ID numbers.
Try before you buy
Get fitted at one of 4 stores
Walk-ins welcome. Our team helps fit walkers, canes and lift chairs, and shows you how to use your equipment before you leave.
Tempe
2415 W Erie DrTempe, AZ 85282
Call or text (602) 900-5246
Questions
Common questions
What equipment helps prevent falls in the bathroom?
The biggest wins are grab bars anchored into studs, a shower chair or transfer bench, a raised toilet seat or safety rails, and non-slip mats. Start with the spot where you feel least steady.
Does Medicare cover shower chairs or grab bars?
Original Medicare generally doesn’t, because it treats them as convenience items. Some Medicare Advantage plans include an allowance for bathroom safety items, and HSA and FSA funds can be used. Walkers, commode chairs, hospital beds and patient lifts are often covered with a prescription.
What’s the difference between a shower chair and a transfer bench?
A shower chair sits inside the tub or shower. A transfer bench straddles the tub wall, so you sit down outside the tub and slide in without stepping over.
How should a cane or walker fit?
The handle should sit at about wrist height when your arms hang at your sides, with a slight bend in the elbow when you hold it. Replace the rubber tips when they wear. We’ll adjust it for you in store.
Are bed rails safe?
Not for everyone. Federal safety agencies have received reports of deaths and injuries from adult portable bed rails, mostly from entrapment, and rails can be dangerous for people with dementia or delirium. Choose a product that meets the federal standard, and ask us about other options.
Can I rent equipment after surgery instead of buying?
Yes. Hospital beds, wheelchairs, knee scooters, lift chairs and patient lifts can all be rented for recovery, and pickup is often the same day.
Sources
- CDC: STEADI fall-risk screening and Older Adult Falls data
- National Safety Council: Injury Facts, Older Adult Falls
- Cochrane Review: Environmental interventions for preventing falls (2023)
- FDA: Adult Portable Bed Rail Safety
- Medicare.gov: Durable medical equipment coverage
We’re here when you need us.
A real person at your nearest Copper Star store will text you back during store hours.
