Buying guides for older adults and their families
Practical comparisons of the equipment families buy for an older parent: hearing aids, mobility and bathroom safety equipment, simplified phones and medical alert systems.
2 guides
Buying for an older parent usually starts with one specific problem. A hearing aid that whistles. A shower that has become unsafe to step into. A phone with buttons nobody can read anymore. The purchase is rarely planned far in advance, and it is often made by an adult child who has never shopped this category before.
Prices vary more here than in almost any other kind of shopping. The same category can run from under a hundred dollars to several thousand depending on features, whether a fitting is involved, and whether insurance covers any part of it. Knowing the range before you start is usually worth more than knowing which single product reviews best.
What these guides cover
Hearing and vision
Hearing aids, personal sound amplifiers, magnifiers and the accessories that go with them. Costs vary widely and Medicare coverage is limited, so it helps to know what you are actually comparing.
Mobility and safety at home
Walkers, rollators, grab bars, shower seats, raised toilet seats and stairlifts. Several of these cost very little and prevent the fall that costs a great deal.
Phones, tablets and alert devices
Simplified phones, tablets set up for video calls, and medical alert systems, including the difference between those with a monthly fee and those without.
Latest
The 8 Best iPhones for Seniors in 2026 (Tested & Easy to Use)
A refurbished iPhone 13 costs $233 and still takes iOS updates into 2027. For most older adults it is the better buy over a $1,199 Pro Max. Eight models compared, with battery life and accessibility settings weighted over camera specs.
The 10 Best Cell Phones for Seniors in 2026 (Tested & Reviewed)
Ten phones, more than 400 hours of testing, and a price range that runs from a $59 flip phone to the iPhone 17. We judged them on button size, how much a new owner has to learn, and how well the emergency features hold up.
Common questions
Does Medicare pay for hearing aids or mobility equipment?
Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or the exams for fitting them. It does cover some durable medical equipment, including walkers and wheelchairs, when a doctor documents that the equipment is medically necessary for use at home. Some Medicare Advantage plans add a hearing benefit, and the details differ by plan, so check that plan's own documents.
What is the difference between a hearing aid and a personal sound amplifier?
A hearing aid is a regulated medical device fitted to a particular pattern of hearing loss. A personal sound amplifier makes everything louder and is not intended to treat hearing loss at all. Amplifiers cost far less, which makes them tempting, but they will not help someone whose hearing loss affects only certain frequencies.
When is the right time to buy mobility equipment?
Usually earlier than families get around to it. Grab bars, a shower seat and a rollator are inexpensive and most useful before a fall rather than after one. An occupational therapist can assess a specific home and say what that house actually needs, which beats guessing from a catalogue.
Can this kind of equipment be returned?
Sometimes, and the window is often short. Hearing aids carry a trial period set by law in many states. Other equipment may be non-returnable once used, for hygiene reasons. Check the return terms before buying, particularly for anything ordered online.
Looking for something broader? The resource library covers care types, costs and paying for care.