Mobility living is all about regaining your independence and not relying on others to push you around or to carry out daily tasks for you. If you have suffered an accident or a stroke learning to become mobile again can be a long process, one that will need the support of caregivers and physiotherapists. Help is available and you should never feel like a burden if you ask for it. The UK leads the way when it comes to disability living. www.goaccess.co.uk is just one company you can rely on when it comes to rehabilitation
If you live in a rented property that is unsuitable for you, then your council has a duty of care to rehouse you. After an accident, you may not be able to climb stairs. A bungalow or one level property is the most practical solution here, and one that will allow you to live not just independently but without the danger of falling down the stairs.
On your discharge from hospital you will receive visits from physiotherapists who will provide you with a plan of action. You will no doubt have already started sessions in hospital in their special facilities where you can learn to walk again with the aid of grab rails and special steps.
Mobility Living : Walking Aids and Equipment
After an accident, you cannot expect to find your feet straight away. As frustrating as it may be, you may need to learn to walk again from scratch. You will need to accept that you may need to use a wheelchair, and that a stick or frame may be with you for life. Equipment such as sticks and frames allow you to learn to walk again safely. If you need to use a wheelchair, then investing in a portable wheelchair ramp is an excellent idea. A portable modular ramp will allow you to leave your home by yourself, and can also help your caregiver get you in and out of a car or other adapted vehicle.
The aids you need for walking will depend on the extent of your injuries as well as your age. You will be assessed, and you will be offered assistance as and when required. If you already have limited mobility due to old age, then a wheelchair may be more appropriate than trying to learn to walk with a frame or a stick. Falls in the home can be prevented by removing risks and pulling up lose rugs and carpets.
Mobility Living : Getting a Wheelchair
A wheelchair does not have to mean life in a chair. If you no longer use your leg muscles, then they will waste and you will become weaker. Therefore, a chair should not be a reason to give up hope. Although you will need a chair at first, you should not sit in it all day. Exercises should be an important part of your day, and however slow your progress, you should never give up.
If you have been advised that you will need a chair permanently, then for mobility living and independence, an electric chair or mobility scooter will be the best option for you. A fixed ramp at your home will also be necessary. If your property is rented from your local authority, then a grant may be available to pay for the installation cost.
One safety measure that you can consider is installing a small secure safe on the outside of your home in a place that is out of view. Inside your safe you can keep a set of keys that can be accessed by your caregiver and by anyone you give the code to. This way, if you do fall in the home, you can call for help, and the person who comes to you will not need to break down your door.
How much mobility you will have after an accident will depend on many factors such as your age and the extent of your injuries. It will however also depend on your own determination to get better. Take each day as it comes, and never give up even when progress is slow. An accident that leaves you in a wheelchair does not necessarily mean life in a wheelchair. With exercises and dedication, your wheelchair will soon be reserved for long outings where walking will be too stressful. Ensure you invest in a wheelchair that is comfortable for you, and that any ramp you have fitted to your home is DDA compliant and is fitted by a reputable supplier like Go Access Ltd in Bristol and Somerset.