Glossary of home medical equipment
The words you will hear from therapists, suppliers and discharge teams, defined in a sentence or two.
Conversations about equipment use a vocabulary of their own, and terms vary between countries, suppliers and services. These definitions are general and intended to help you follow the conversation and ask better questions. Where a term has a clinical meaning for your situation, ask the professional to explain it in your context.
Mobility
- Cane (walking stick)
- A single shaft with a handle and rubber tip that takes some weight off one leg.
- Quad cane
- A cane with a small base and four feet for a wider point of support.
- Walker (walking frame)
- A frame used with both hands that surrounds the user on three sides.
- Rollator
- A wheeled walker with hand brakes, usually with a seat.
- Self-propelled wheelchair
- A wheelchair with large rear wheels and push rims so the user can move it.
- Attendant (transit) chair
- A wheelchair with small wheels designed to be pushed by a helper.
Bathroom and toileting
- Grab bar
- A rail fixed securely to a wall, designed to take a person's weight.
- Transfer bench
- A seat that straddles the side of a bathtub so the user can sit and slide across.
- Raised toilet seat
- A seat that sits on the toilet bowl to increase its height.
- Toilet frame
- A freestanding or attached frame with arms around the toilet.
- Commode
- A chair with a toilet seat and removable pan, often used at night or on one floor.
Beds and transfers
- Home care bed
- A bed whose height and back, knee or foot sections can be adjusted.
- Transfer board
- A board that bridges two seats for a sliding, seated transfer.
- Transfer (gait) belt
- A belt worn around the waist that gives a helper a secure handhold.
- Hoist (patient lift)
- A device that lifts a person in a sling, either mobile or ceiling mounted.
- Sling
- The fabric support that holds the person during a hoist transfer.
Around the home
- Threshold ramp
- A small wedge that smooths a raised door sill.
- Stairlift
- A powered seat that travels along a rail fixed to the stairs.
- Reacher (grabber)
- A long-handled tool with a jaw for picking things up without bending.
- Perching stool
- A high, sloped seat that supports someone working at a counter.
- Personal alarm
- A wearable button or device used to call for help.
Services and people
- Occupational therapist
- A professional who helps people carry out daily activities, often by assessing equipment and home changes.
- Physical therapist (physiotherapist)
- A professional who works on movement, strength and balance, and often advises on walking aids.
- Home assessment
- A visit to identify risks and suggest changes or equipment.
- Discharge planning
- Preparation, before leaving hospital, for care and equipment at home.
- Respite
- A planned break for a carer while someone else provides care.