Slide show: Assistive devices to maintain your balance

Your risk of falling increases as you age. If you find you're a little unsteady on your feet, consider using assistive devices to help you keep your balance. Assistive devices that keep you steady can make your everyday tasks easier and safer. They can help you maintain your independence.

The following assistive devices aid you in balancing. Ask your doctor or occupational therapist about other assistive devices that might be right for you.

Installing grab bars is an easy and relatively inexpensive way of making it easier and safer to get in and out of the shower or tub, or on and off the toilet. Make sure the bars are strong enough to support your weight.

Reduce the chances that you'll fall in the shower or tub by using a bath bench. That way you won't have to stand at all. Water-resistant and height-adjustable chairs or benches are ideal for taking a shower because they allow you to sit at a normal height while washing. Some benches extend to the outside of the tub, so you can sit down on them first and slide to the inside. That way you don't have to worry about losing your balance while navigating your way over the side of the tub.

Place a rubber mat or nonslip adhesive strips on the floor of the tub or shower to prevent slipping and falling.

Canes provide a good way to steady yourself if you have some difficulty balancing. But what good is a cane if every time you set it down it falls over onto the floor? Cane supporters are handy tools that clip onto your cane to make it stay on a flat surface, such as a table or countertop. You can also adjust it so that the supporter sits just under the surface, stabilizing the cane between the floor and the bottom of the surface.