Living with Limited Mobility or a Disability & Ways to Improve Your Quality of Life

Most people take for granted their ability to walk, run, dance or bend at will. However, if you or a loved one live with limited mobility or a disability you know only too well how difficult daily tasks can be to complete. Luckily you can find relief and regain your independence with the help of many useful devices and aids available. 

Walkers, Trolleys, and Rollators

If you’re thinking about purchasing a rollator walker with a seat, it’s important to consider how often and where you’ll be using your assistive device — both of which will play a role in your selection. A walker generally used for indoors, does not have wheels, but rather contains non-slip feet on the bottom that prevent sudden movements and reduce the possibility of a slip and fall. Both the trolley and the rollator are suitable for indoor and outdoor use and can have two to four casters. Unlike the walker, that relies solely on the user for movements, these mobility aids move freely allowing the person operating it to move with a more natural body movement. All of them come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and with optional features like an adjustable height, ergonomic grip handles, upper trays and multiple open compartments for things like groceries, personal items, and a beverage, to make life easier. 

Home Furnishings and Additions

For someone with chronic back, leg or hip pain getting in and out of bed or off the sofa can present a real challenge. The good news is that you don’t need the hand of another to go from resting to standing anymore. For instance, The Perfect Sleep Chair is multi-functional offering a full recline or a sitting position and then a lift to exit from the chair, returning you to a safe upright position. This lets the user watch television or take a nap or even a night’s sleep without the need for climbing in and out of their bed or a traditional couch. Bedrails are also a beneficial addition, providing the necessary support you need to get in and out of bed with confidence. The bathroom can be a frightening place for someone unsteady on their legs. The good news is that grab bars, raised toilets and medical chairs for the bath and the shower can make each visit easier.  

Wheelchair-Bound

For those people who are not able to stand even with the assistance of a walker or a trolley, wheelchairs provide a way to move about their home with ease. Scooters also help those who cannot stand on their own enjoy a drive along the sidewalks in their neighborhood, in supermarkets, and in parks. With technology advancing each day, there are also vehicles with enough clearance that allows people confined to a wheelchair a way to drive. Modifications also give them all the controls at their fingertips and offer a keyless ignition where with just a push of a button the car starts. 

Common Sense Modifications

For people with mobility issues or a disability, safety is just as important as having the ability to get around unassisted. Thankfully, with a few home modifications like opening doorways, removing rugs, improving the lighting and installing handrails in commonly used areas of the home, you can create a safe environment. 

Living with limited mobility doesn’t mean that you have to stop enjoying the things you used to do. While you may have some restrictions, with the help of medical aids and devices you can come and go, complete tasks and remain living on your own.