Mobility Aids After Hip Replacement: What You Need at Home

Hip replacement surgery gives thousands of Australians their independence back — but the first six to twelve weeks of recovery at home are critical. The right mobility aids can mean the difference between a smooth, safe recovery and a preventable setback. Whether you are heading home from hospital next week or helping a loved one prepare, this guide covers exactly what you need, why it matters, and how to set it up before discharge day.

Why Mobility Aids Matter After Hip Replacement

After a total hip replacement, your surgical team will give you a list of hip precautions — movements to avoid while the joint heals and the surrounding tissue repairs. These typically include:

• Bending the hip past 90 degrees (for example, leaning forward from a seated position)
• Crossing your legs or ankles
• Rotating the operated leg inward

These restrictions sound straightforward until you try to put on socks, lower yourself onto a standard toilet, or step into the shower. Everyday tasks become genuine risks. Mobility aids are not a sign of weakness — they are the practical tools that let you follow your precautions correctly so the joint can heal without dislocation or injury.

Many Australians are surprised to discover that NDIS funding can cover a significant portion of these products if you are an NDIS participant with relevant support needs. Even those not on the NDIS may be able to claim through private health insurance or a Home Care Package. It is worth checking before you pay out of pocket.

The Hip Kit: Your First Essential Purchase

A hip kit — sometimes called a hip replacement kit or ADL (activities of daily living) kit — is a bundled set of long-handled tools designed specifically for the hip precaution period. A quality hip kit typically includes:

• Long-handled reacher/grabber — picks up items from the floor or low surfaces without bending
• Long-handled shoehorn — lets you put shoes on without bending forward
• Sock aid — a rigid cradle and cords that allow you to put socks on from standing or sitting without crossing the hip
• Long-handled bath sponge — lets you wash your lower legs and feet without leaning
• Dressing stick — useful for pulling clothing up and over the operated leg

Most physiotherapists and occupational therapists will recommend having your hip kit ready before you leave hospital. Kits start from around $45 to $89 at CareAid Supplies, and having one on hand from day one removes a lot of the frustration and risk from those first mornings at home. Browse our range of hip kits at careaidsupplies.com.au to find the right combination for your needs.

Raised Toilet Seats: A Non-Negotiable Safety Item

Standard Australian toilet heights sit at roughly 40 to 42 cm — well below the 50 to 55 cm height recommended to keep the hip at or above 90 degrees when seated. This makes a raised toilet seat one of the most important items to set up before you come home.

There are three main types to consider:

1. Fixed raised toilet seats — clip directly onto the existing toilet bowl and raise the seat height by 5, 10, or 15 cm. Simple, lightweight, and affordable from around $35.
2. Raised seats with armrests — provide additional support for lowering and raising from the seat, which is particularly helpful in the first two to four weeks when leg strength and confidence are still building. Priced from around $75.
3. Toilet safety frames and surrounds — freestanding frames that sit around the toilet, offering grab handles on both sides. A good option where wall-mounted grab rails are not practical. From approximately $120.

Consider your home layout before you choose. If you have a second bathroom or an ensuite with different toilet dimensions, you may need two units. It is a small investment relative to the cost of a fall or a dislocation. NDIS participants may be able to fund raised toilet seats under Assistive Technology — Low Cost supports.

Shower Chairs and Bath Aids

Wet surfaces and hip precautions are a risky combination. A shower chair or shower stool allows you to bathe seated, eliminating the balance demands of standing in a shower cubicle while your hip is still healing and your pain medication may be affecting your alertness.

Key options include:

• Shower stools — compact, lightweight, four-legged stools with non-slip rubber feet. Suitable for most shower recesses. From around $45.
• Shower chairs with back and armrests — provide more support and are easier to lower into and rise from. Recommended for the first four to six weeks post-surgery. From approximately $79.
• Bath transfer benches — span the bathtub rim and allow you to sit on the bench, then slide sideways into the tub without stepping over the edge. Essential if you have a bath rather than a shower. From around $99.

Pair your shower chair with a long-handled bath sponge (usually included in a hip kit) and a handheld shower head to reach all areas without twisting or bending. Non-slip bath mats outside the shower are equally important — most falls in the bathroom happen on the mat, not in the shower itself.

Grabbers and Long-Handled Equipment for Daily Life

Once you are past the immediate post-operative period, a standalone grabber or reacher becomes your most-used piece of equipment. These are spring-loaded, long-handled tools (typically 60–90 cm) that let you pick up items from the floor, retrieve objects from low shelves, and dress yourself without the hip bend that could cause a dislocation.

Look for:

• A rotating jaw for gripping awkward shapes
• Magnetic tip for picking up small metal items like coins or keys
• A non-slip grip handle for users with reduced hand strength
• Lightweight aluminium construction so the tool does not fatigue your arm over time

Grabbers start from around $18 and are one of the most cost-effective items in your recovery toolkit. Many people find they continue using them long after their hip precautions are lifted because they are simply so convenient.

Other long-handled items worth having include a long-handled dustpan and brush for light cleaning, a long-handled perching tool for retrieving items from the car boot, and a leg lifter strap for getting in and out of bed or a vehicle.

Setting Up Your Home Before Discharge

The most important window is the two to three days before you come home from hospital. An occupational therapist (OT) may conduct a home visit as part of your hospital discharge planning — take full advantage of this. If not, work through this checklist yourself or with a family member:

• Bedroom: Raise the bed height if necessary so the hip is above 90 degrees when seated on the edge. A firm mattress makes standing easier. Clear pathways of rugs, cords, and obstacles. Ensure a lamp or light switch is within arm's reach.
• Bathroom: Install raised toilet seat. Set up shower chair. Place non-slip mats. Confirm grab rails are secure (or hire a handyman to install temporary ones).
• Kitchen: Rearrange frequently used items to bench height so bending is unnecessary. Prepare some meals in advance and store them at accessible heights in the fridge.
• Living areas: Identify a firm, high-seated chair with armrests for your main recovery seat — standard low sofas are difficult to rise from safely. Have your grabber, phone, and remote within reach before sitting down.
• Footwear: Organise slip-on shoes with your long-handled shoehorn, or elastic laces for your existing shoes. Bare feet and loose slippers are fall risks.

NDIS participants should note that some of these home modifications — including grab rail installation — may be fundable under Home Modifications supports, separate from the assistive technology budget.

Conclusion: Set Up for Success From Day One

Hip replacement surgery is one of the most successful elective procedures performed in Australia, with excellent outcomes when recovery guidelines are followed. The mobility aids you set up at home are not extras — they are the infrastructure of a safe, complication-free recovery. A hip kit, raised toilet seat, shower chair, and a reliable grabber will take you through the majority of your six to twelve week precaution period with far less stress and far fewer risks.

Order early, set up before discharge, and make use of any NDIS, Home Care Package, or private health funding available to you. Your surgical team and OT are also excellent resources for recommendations specific to your situation.

Shop our full range of mobility aids at CareAid Supplies — including hip kits, raised toilet seats, shower chairs, grabbers, and long-handled equipment designed to support your recovery at home. Visit careaidsupplies.com.au to browse products and find the right setup for your needs.