Oct 10

Disabled people are always anxious for some solutions to reduce the repercussions of their physical disabilities on their everyday life. They long for things that can help them regain their lost composure. Disabilities of all types are troublesome for people, but physical afflictions that cause the incapacity to move or walk freely without some external help is more upsetting than the other types.

Any solutions that can help the disabled in reducing their dependence on other people are much expected. Mobility equipment are a boon for people with disabilities looking for any such answers. Wheel chairs have been in use for the longest time. Disabled people are using different types of wheel chairs since time immemorial. Modern improvements in the field of medical equipment are responsible for the development of several types of automatic mobility equipment to help the disabled live a normal life.

The assistance provided by different kinds of mobility equipment, such as lift chairs and wheeled walkers, are a great relief for the physically disabled people. These devices have altered the way they used to continue with their lives. All these mobility devices are intended to provide maximum help to disabled people in performing different actions in their daily activities.

The life of people with disabilities used to depend on the aid of other people around them. They always needed some kind of extra hand in performing their work. Moving around without restraint was like a dream for them. However, with the help of uniquely designed mobility equipment, they can now enjoy the independence they have always longed for. With these well created mobility devices, they may no longer need the assistance of another person.

Mobility equipment are the most important aid for disabled people in coping with their physical disabilities. They help those with disabilities get their independence back. They can do their work like normal people without difficulty.

Jan 9

Bathrooms at home usually need adaptation if an elderly or disabled wants to stay in the house and remain independent. Ensuring bathroom access and safety may require room customizations.

Falls often happen as people get in or out of the bathtub. Non-slip suction mats or non-skid tub liners or stickers can help prevent falls and provide firm footing.

Grab bars around the tub are a must for safety. These bars should be institutional-grade and installed according to the manufacturer’s directions for firm and solid support.  Using towel rods in place of them is strongly discouraged. Improperly installed bars, as well, will not support a person who loses balance.

Various types of bars and poles are available from plumbing supply companies. The type, number, and positioning of supports depend on:

  • The wall space around the tub;
  • The wall structure;
  • The plumbing arrangements; and
  • The disability of the person using the tub.

Two kinds of grab bars are often needed at the bathtub for the disabled or elderly:

1. For use in getting in and out of the tub from a standing position;

2. For use when lowering and raising the body to and from a seated position in the tub.

U-shaped bars are available in 12- to 40-inch lengths. They may be installed vertically or horizontally to a wall.

A vertically placed U-bar, attached to the side wall at the foot of the tub, allows safe entry and exit. Note that the foot of the tub is the end where the water faucets and drain are located. This vertical bar should be about 32 inches long, and placed near the edge of the outer tub.

Horizontally placed support bars are best for lowering and raising the body to and from a sitting position in the tub. A 12- to 15-inch bar may be placed at the foot end of the tub and a longer one along the back wall.

Diagonally placed grab bars are not recommended because the hand may slide; and if footing is not secure, falls are more likely to occur.

If the tub is free-standing at both ends, like in most older homes, and the end wall is too far for grab bars to be secured, a vertically placed pole on the access side of the tub may be used. This pole should be about 1.5 inches in diameter and extend from floor to ceiling. Place it between 1 foot 3 inches to 1 foot 6 inches from the end of the tub, close enough to the access side to reach from a sitting position. It also can be used to grasp with one hand while operating the water controls.

Angle bars from the back wall or behind the tub to the floor, with wall posts, may be used when one or both tub ends are enclosed by a wall. This is useful for persons needing to use both hands to enter and exit the tub.

A variety of portable seats, chairs, and benches are also available if sitting on the bathtub floor is difficult or impossible. One seat has side flanges that adjust to fit any bathtub. Inside-the-tub chairs with backs for greater comfort are also sold in the market today. An inside/outside transfer bench with adjustable legs allows the person to sit on the bench that extends outside the tub then slide to the inside of the tub.

Any chair or bench must have non-slip rubber tips and should be safe and comfortable. When using this type of seats in the tub, a hand-held shower head is preferable to use.

An angle bar attached to two walls provides support while standing, and also aids in sitting and rising from a bath bench or chair.

If the shower floor is slippery, non-slip suction mats or rubber silicone treads should also be used there.

A non-skid bath mat on the floor outside the shower is a necessity.

The standard 15- to 17-inch height of toilet seats creates a problem for many people, especially those with arthritis, hip, knee or back problems. Elevating the seat 5-7 inches more will give better leverage in regaining a standing position.

There are several types of removable and permanently fixed raised toilet seats available in stores. For a more permanent raised toilet, a plumber can put the stool on a wooden platform made to fit the toilet bowl base. If you are building a new bathroom, consider a wall-hung toilet that can be hung at any height.

A portable bidet for cleaning the perineal area without hands or paper may be attached to any standard toilet bowl. It is electrically powered with a mechanism for spray washing with warm water and drying with a flow of warm air. This promotes independence for persons with very limited hand/arm functions.

Grab bars around the toilets are a must. Many types are available, and the choice will depend on:

  • Available wall space near the toilet;
  • Nearness to other fixtures in the room; and
  • Needs of people in the household.

If you have a physical limitation, we recommend you consult a physical therapist or a housing specialist to help you select and recommend placement of grab bars and other accessories for safety in the bathroom. If you are unsure of your wall structure, or do not have proper tools or skills, we suggest you hire a carpenter to install and/or make the new adaptations.

And for the latest bathroom and toilet aids for the disabled and the elderly, visit www.doability.co.uk.

Dec 10

During the Christmas season a lot of people travel in and out of town to be with their family and friends.
And because of this, I would like to share some air travel tips for those who are using mobility equipment, especially wheelchairs and scooters.

1. Make your airline reservation as far in advance as possible.

2. Inform the reservations agent that you will be traveling with a wheelchair or scooter.

3. Tell them if you need assistance in boarding.

4. If you will be taking a long flight and you are able to use a standard plane restroom but are unable to walk to the restroom, ask that they make an aisle chair (narrow straight back chair with wheels underneath designed to fit an aisle of an airplane and is used to assist passengers that cannot walk) available for you during the flight. Some airplanes have a privacy curtain that includes the aisle that would allow a companion to assist you. Keep in mind, though, that airplane restrooms are quite small.

5. On newer wide-bodied jets, there is one accessible restroom. It is large enough to fit the aisle chair inside, making it possible to transfer to the toilet. These planes generally carry an aisle chair, but it is best to confirm if one will be on board.

6. Always make sure that they have a record of your requests 48 hours prior to departure.

7. Some planes have lift up arm rests on some of the aisles. You can request to be seated there if they are available. It makes transferring easier. Some passengers prefer to request bulkhead seats that have more legroom, but the arm rests on these seats do not lift up.

8. On the day of your departure, arrive early at the airport.

9. Always check your wheelchair or scooter at the boarding gate and request that it be brought back to you at the gate when you arrive.

10. It is suggested that you use gel- or foam-filled batteries (dry cells) in your scooter or power chair. Standard acid-filled batteries or wet cells will be removed by ground crew and packed in special containers for transport.

11. If you use a fold up manual wheelchair, you can request that it be stowed in the on-board coat closet. Usually, there is only room for one wheelchair and the service is available on a first come first serve basis, so you should arrive early to make your request. (Not all planes, though, have a coat closet.)

12. Make sure your name and address is on your equipment and that it has a gate delivery tag if it is being stowed below.

13. If you have to change planes, request that your own equipment be returned for the layover. This not only gives you independence while in the terminal, it reduces the risk of it getting lost or damaged. Since wheelchair users are usually the last to get off the plane, make sure you allow enough time to make your connection. At least an hour, and at big airports at least an hour and a half.

14. Remove seat cushions and any other parts that could easily become separated from the wheelchair. Take these items into the cabin with you. Attach instructions on scooters or power chairs detailing how and where to disconnect the batteries, including instructions for any other disassembly or prep that might be necessary for transport. If you have a large power chair, be aware that on some planes like the MD80’s or Super 80’s the cargo opening is only 26″ high, therefore some disassembly may be required. Having instructions on your equipment are very important because the crew at the other end didn’t see how it came apart.

15. If you need assistance transferring to the plane seat, take responsibility for yourself, and tell the staff how to help you or pick you up. They should be trained, but it is always safer not to assume anything.

16. Before landing, remind the flight attendant that you will need your equipment brought to the gate so they can radio ahead to make the arrangements. This can help speed things up.

17. If you encounter any problems, ask to speak to the “Complaint Resolution Officer” (CRO). Each air carrier is required to have a CRO available by phone or in person at all times. This person is specially trained in dealing with issues of travelers with disabilities.

18. If you are traveling with a scooter or power chair, make sure you arrange for transportation that will be able to accommodate your equipment upon arrival.

19. You may also opt to rent a mobility equipment at your destination. Many theme parks and other attractions that require a lot of walking have scooters or wheelchairs available for lease.

For more mobility equipment information, check out www.doability.co.uk

Dec 8

‘Tis the season to be jolly.. however, some people go into depression during the Christmas season. This is mostly true for those who are away from their loved ones during this time of the year, and also for our disabled and elderly loved ones who feel that they cannot be part of the merriment and celebration.

Depression is often synonymous to being sad. Sadness is a part of being human, a natural reaction to painful circumstances. All of us will experience sadness at some point in our lives, although not everyone will really succumb into depression.

Depression is not just limited to sadness. Sometimes it is caused by discouragement, helplessness, and a lack of self-worth. In some cases, it becomes a medical condition, a physical illness with many other symptoms than just an unhappy mood.

While depression can hit any one in all ages and in all walks of life, nobody is more prone to it than people with disabilities and the elderly. For the disabled, depression comes from the feeling of helplessness experienced as a result of their disability and lack of independence. They feel and believe that there is nothing they can do on their own, and worse, it leads to a feeling of emotional and mental emptiness. The elderly are at high risk for depression, too, because they are more likely to have experienced illness, death of loved ones, impaired function, and loss of independence compared to younger people. The cumulative effect of negative life experiences may be overwhelming to an older person. Not to mention the physical impairments caused by old age. In general, they pretty much have the same experiences as the disabled.

There is hope though for these people, since in many cases depression can be avoided or eliminated all together. Here are a few helpful tips to reduce depression:

  • The first and most important thing to do to get out of depression is to set your mind. You have to convince yourself to stop becoming a “victim” of depression. Stop dwelling on what you cannot do or what you cannot control. Believe that you are not helpless. Think positively.
  • Once you have set your mind to it, the second step is to consider what you can still do. In short, count your blessings. Focus on what you have, what you can do and what you can use. Plan to use them to your advantage.
  • The third step is to take action. Execute your plan. Of course, if depression is a reaction to an illness, or caused by a disease, then the best way is to cure that disease or illness first. For the disabled and elderly, there are living aids that help reduce the feeling of helplessness causing the depression. Mobility equipments aid people with disabilities and the elderly to be more independent and live a normal life, and this is really the most important step in battling depression. These devices have been specifically designed to aid people in maneuvering around with minimal effort and facilitating tasks, from opening a jar of jam to using the bathroom.

Depression can be beaten. It is just a matter of having the personal will to get out of it. Of course, a little bit of support from friends and family wouldn’t hurt as well.

*** For all your disability equipment needs to assist in getting rid of depression, visit www.doability.co.uk.

Dec 8

Christmas is fast approaching.
To the Christian world, it is the most anticipated holiday of the year when families and friends get together and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Christmas, however, is no longer just for Christians anymore. People from different cultures and religions all across the world celebrate this special day. It is a day of gift giving, of merry making, of being together. To children, it is all about the gifts under the Christmas tree or inside the Christmas stockings left by Santa Claus.  To adults, it is all about preparing a hearty meal for family and friends and decorating the whole house with a Christmas tree and festive lights. It is, arguably, the happiest season for many people, except some.

Sadly, there are the elderly and the disabled among us who cannot enjoy the season as much as we do. Because of their conditions, they are often confined indoors. Their movements are very limited and the things they can do will require a lot of effort on their end. It doesn’t mean, however, that they are doomed to have a sad Christmas. This is where family and friends come in and help out.

The first and perhaps most important thing to do to make it a happy Christmas for them is for their family and friends to be with them. There is nothing lonelier than being alone and away from your family and friends during Christmas. Elderly and disabled people tend to be emotional and are at high risk of depression than the rest. The mere presence of people who care for them and people they care for makes a big difference. A short visit or, much better, a dinner with them will surely uplift the emotions of these people and would surely make them feel good. And I guess this is true even for the young and healthy.

If being physically present is not possible, being “virtually” there will work wonders. A short phone call, a web chat, or even a handwritten postal mail coming from a loved one is better than nothing. Just the fact that they know they are remembered and are not forgotten on such a special day surely goes a long way. As the old saying goes, it’s the thought that counts.

Surely, it doesn’t stop there. There are more ways that we can make our elderly and disabled loved ones feel special and loved this Christmas. We can give them gifts, of course, but not just gifts. We can give them gifts that are appropriate for their conditions and gifts that can help them move around and enjoy the yuletide season more. Gifts like coats for the cold weather, walking aids and other mobility products are perfect for them. It gives them a semblance of independence and capability to do some activities that they can’t do by themselves. With these, they can join you in your stroll outside to go greet the neighbors a Merry Christmas. They can roam around the house and mingle with guests during Christmas dinner. They can even walk towards the porch or the lawn and see their grandchildren enjoy the snow and build a snowman on an early Christmas morning. Doing all these things makes them feel alive, special and important. These are moments that money cannot buy but because of some well-thought-of material gifts, you can make all these possible for them.

*** Make your elderly and disabled loved ones the happiest people this Christmas, buy them the perfect gift at www.doability.co.uk.