Making sure your loved ones are safe, comfortable and happy at home as they age is very important. This means your elderly parent or relative needs to be able to carry out certain tasks efficiently and safely. These tasks are known as Activities of Daily Living (ADL). The NHS defines these tasks as:

Functional mobility, which includes the ability to walk and transfer in and out of a bed or chair.
Personal care, oral care and grooming.
Showering and/or bathing.
Toileting, which includes getting on/off the toilet and cleaning oneself.
Dressing, which includes selecting appropriate clothes and putting them on.
The ability to feed oneself.

There are many ways in which people can be supported to perform these tasks. One of the main ways is by using mobility aids around the house, such as portable ramps. These allow elderly people to easily move through rooms, and also get outside to socialise.

How can portable ramps help with Activities of Daily Living?

Portable ramps are very helpful both inside and outside the home. They enable a wheelchair or mobility scooter user to leave and enter their house independently (people with long term mobility issues might also want to consider a more permanent ramp option). They can assist with getting out into the garden, which is a source of great pleasure for many. A portable ramp can also be used to great effect indoors. If a house can a step between levels, a wheelchair user will benefit hugely from being able to navigate it with ease.

Ramps are also useful for those who have temporary mobility problems, for example a broken leg. People who have conditions that flare up intermittently, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, may also find the handy. The beauty of portable ramps is that they are designed to be easy to move around. They are usually made of lightweight material such as aluminium and a lot of designs fold in the middle. This makes them easy to carry around and to store when not in use. Thanks to their small size they can easily fit into a cupboard or slide under a bed.

A cheap way to stay mobile

One of the best things about having a portable ramp is that they are relatively cheap to buy. Mobility issues can require costly adaptations to a home or even a house move. A portable ramp can transform the difficulties of moving around a home for a much smaller amount of money. Depending on length, materials, quality and weight, a mobile ramp can cost anywhere between £80 and £1000. However, when you consider how much buying a new house costs, this is very good value for money.

For more advice on ramps and disabled steps, get in touch with us today.