It is a fact that we are an aging population. Thanks to scientific advancements in medicine, doctors can keep us alive longer. It is conceivable that our children will have an expected lifespan of over one hundred years as the norm. Living longer though will lead to more people suffering with age related problems, as they do today.
Many of us can’t get around as we used to. Maybe illness such as arthritis or just old age are to blame. Sometimes we need a little help to maintain our independence and dignity. Let’s take a look at a few simple ways that can make your life just that little bit easier on a daily basis.
Mobility
Often, one the first effects of aging or disability is increased difficulty when getting about. Sometimes you may manage with a walking stick or crutches but often a wheelchair is needed. There is a vast selection of wheelchairs available these days for those who need them. High-tech carbon fibre models for the sportsman, standard models that are adjustable for many shapes and sizes, and extra wide models amongst them.
There are also many companies all over the country who offer vehicle adapting services to cater for wheelchair users.
Stairs
Access to the upstairs of a building is an obvious issue. Elevators are an ideal, though expensive solution. Stairlifts these days are surprisingly cheap for the work they do. They can be fitted in a day on all kinds of staircases. Curved stairs are not the problem they used to be. Both domestically and in nursing homes, stairlifts, offer an excellent solution.
If a building needs to evacuated, maybe due to fire for instance, K5 stair climbers, among other quality products, are a competitive choice on the market for manually navigating a staircase with a helper. Manual equipment is not just for emergencies though, and you may decide it is the best solution for your daily needs.
Bathing
Modern technology has enabled the electric bath lift to come into the price range of most people these days. They no longer have to be huge contraptions bolted to the walls and floors. Boasting modern designs, they are lightweight and rechargeable. An assistant can simply lift the chair in and out of the bath as required. They do not look out of place in many modern bathrooms.
Of course, there also the walk in baths if you have a larger budget.
A lot of the equipment mentioned above is supplied for you free of charge if you can’t afford to provide it for yourself. Chair lifts, for example, can be supplied and fitted by your local authority if you are referred to them for assessment. Smaller items such as bath lifts can come via your local Social Services department.
Often though, as we talk about major changes and high-tech equipment, we need to remember that it is the small things that can make a big difference. Rails fixed to walls, ramps where appropriate. There are a million and one kitchen gadgets on the market, each performing its own little job in innovative ways.
I hope you have found something of use here. Disability is a complex issue and needs differ for everyone. The help is out there, don’t be afraid to ask.
Post Footer automatically generated by wp-posturl plugin for wordpress.