Inventive Aids Can Make a Difference at Mealtimes

Meal times can be one of the challenges of living with certain disabilities. Loss of fine motor control in the hands and arms makes using cutlery more difficult. Keeping forks and spoons steady enough is tough if tremors and shaking are significant.

Using standard knives, forks and spoons can be hard for people in this situation. Many find their narrow handles tricky to grasp or control with accuracy. Luckily, special disability aids are available which help.

Bendable and Curved Cutlery

Being unable to angle a fork or spoon into the mouth is a common problem. Sometimes using cutlery with an offset head is of benefit. Some forks and spoons have the head angle fixed at just off 90 degrees. Others have bendable heads which can be set to the angle most comfortable for the user to direct properly.

Curved cutlery serves a similar purpose. It generally has a sweeping curvature through the handle and head, making it easier to direct into the mouth without too much wrist flex.

Using ‘non-straight’ cutlery can also help with slicing food on the plate. Again, controlling conventional knives can be difficult. L-shaped knives use more of the palm of the hand and don’t need the finger control of standard knives. This type of knife, which has the handle and blade at 90 degrees to each other, retains the wrist in a more stable position.

‘Rocker knives’ are another alternative if cutting food is difficult. These have large, curved blades. Rocking them back and forth on the plate’s surface cuts the food, reducing the amount of downward pressure required.

Table knives with ordinary, fairly dull edges can be difficult to cut food with if you have diminished co-ordination or strength. Serrated blades are sometimes preferable as you may find they cut through food more easily.

Cutlery with Special Handles

The handle of a metal piece of cutlery is usually quite narrow. For some people with reduced motor-control, wider, heavier handles are easier to hold steady. Foam tubing is available which fits over standard handles. This makes them wider and easier to maintain in a stable position.

Some ranges of cutlery have handles which are ‘built-up’, or oversized, for just this reason. These wide-handled items require less pressure from the fingers to hold and control.

Weighted knives and forks do a similar job. Their extra weight means they are less prone to shake in the hand, making control easier.

Wider handles also tend to be gentler on the hands for those with arthritis. The condition often afflicts the fingers and the tight pressure required for knives and forks can be painful. Some have contours which are sympathetic to the fingers, making them more comfortable to use.

Flexible handled cutlery loosely fastens to the hand and reduce the chances of dropping it. These items have extra-long, bendable handles which wrap around the wrist, holding them in place.

Another clever idea is having a fork and a knife built into one item of cutlery. This inventive solution is ideal for people who only have the use of one hand.

Some disabilities affect the bite reflex. This can be quite dangerous if the person bites down too hard on a metal fork or spoon. Special cutlery is available which has an extra-tough plastic coating, so the individual is less at risk of damaging their teeth.

Disability aids like this often go hand-in-hand with non-slip mats which prevent bowls and plates from sliding around on table tops. Scoop bowls or those with high sides are also useful at mealtimes, if food is prone to spillage.

Using a Chair Table

For people who have difficulty standing up and sitting down from an armchair, a chair table of some kind might be a solution. These items allow the user to remain sitting down in a low chair without needing to rise.

A chair table which sits in your lap can be unstable, so it is better to have a more solid surface if possible. These work in the same was an overbed table you might see in hospital wards, but are lower and designed for armchairs or even sofas. They slide or roll beneath the furniture and provide a stable surface from which to eat.

Source : https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/187792715608/inventive-aids-can-make-a-difference-at-mealtimes

Mobility Equipment Gets People Moving Again Outside The Home

One of the factors which takes its toll on many people in old age is the difficulty associated with getting out of the house. A person might lose their mobility for a host of reasons, whether it be arthritis or another chronic condition. This may lead to a sedentary lifestyle, which itself brings new problems. The isolation which afflicts some elderly people can get worse under these circumstances.

It is important therefore to maintain one's independent mobility for as long as possible. While many elderly people resist using mobility aids, it is better to keep an open mind to their benefits. Many people struggle with the self-image of using this type of equipment. It is also possible that they fear becoming reliant on it.

Different Kinds of Walking Aid

For some, these barriers are simply too great and they never overcome them. Others find that the practical benefits of special equipment outweigh the negatives. A simple walking stick, for example, provides support when travelling short or medium distances.

Some sticks have special weight-distributing handles, made to increase comfort. These are especially good for those with arthritis in the hands, who find conventional grips dig-in to the palm and fingers, causing pain.

If a normal stick does not provide enough support, tripods or tetrapods might be the answer. These have a single shaft branching out at the base to either three or four legs. This provides a wider, more stable contact with the ground. While not as light as a normal walking stick, modern materials keep the weight manageable. The height of these mobility aids is easily set via a pin-clip in the shaft.

Another piece of equipment to help with mobility outside the home is a rollator. These wheeled walking frames often have integral seats with a shopping basket underneath. They allow the user to lean on them with both hands as they walk. On many models, bicycle-style brakes help keep the walker under control. Rubber tyres and large wheels make rollators suitable for pavement use.

Four wheeled models tend to feature a seat: useful if you need a rest halfway through a journey. The basket is also useful as it removes the need to carry a heavy shopping bag by hand. It is easy to transport most rollators in the boot of a car. The seat flips up and the frame collapses down.

Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters

A wheelchair is a traditional aid to mobility which many people use when they lose the ability to walk unassisted. Broadly speaking, there are two types of wheelchair, attendant-propelled and self-propelled.

The latter is only suitable for those with good upper body strength. Self-propelled wheelchairs have large rear wheels, rotated by the person in the chair. These wheels have an outside rim which when pushed down, turns them and propels the chair forwards. Wearing padded gloves makes it less likely injure one’s hands.

Attendant-propelled chairs do not have the large rear wheels so require an assistant to operate.

It is important to plan your routes carefully when using a wheelchair. If you are using a self-propelled model, the gradient of any wheelchair ramp needs to be fairly shallow. Steep ramps require a lot of strength to push oneself up.

In order to ensure a shallow gradient, using a long wheelchair ramp is usually the answer. The drawback is that longer ramps require more space, so it needs careful consideration. It is not unusual for a climb of relatively few steps to need a ramp of six or seven feet.

Mobility scooters are another option for keeping on the move outside the house. While these are large and some quite expensive, many people find them invaluable. They require space to park at home and regular maintenance.

A standard wheelchair ramp may not be strong enough for mobility scooter. Check the weight capacity of any ramp before using it.

The advantage of a mobility scooter is that it can travel relatively long distances. Some models are suitable for roads rather than pavements. These come with headlights, indicators and wide, comfortable seats. Shelter covers are also available which fit over the top of the rider.

Source : https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/187619166293/mobility-equipment-gets-people-moving-again

Mobile Toilets Make All the Difference If You Lose Your Mobility

After losing one’s mobility due to illness or disability, routine tasks previously taken for granted become difficult. If you are bedbound and unable to get to the bathroom, items like commodes and other mobility aids may become necessary.

The inability to make the trip to the toilet presents a practical problem, but there is plenty of great equipment to help. Bedside commodes are essentially mobile toilets. They do not have a flush or running water supply, but instead use a plastic pan which fits underneath the seat. The user sits on it as they would a normal WC. The pan needs emptying after use.

You Will Need Help

Commodes are roughly the same height as a toilet and most people position them next to the bed. In almost all cases you will need assistance to move from the bed onto the commode chair. You will also need someone to remove the pan, clean it and refit it to the commode.

Many commodes come as discreetly designed wood-finished units. These fit in with the room furniture and don’t look too conspicuous. It is natural for some people to feel embarrassed at having to use this kind of toileting equipment. These discreet designs may go some way to disguising the issue.

Other types of commode fold away when not in use. Their frames collapse down for storage. Steel or aluminium framed commodes usually have a plastic seat. Aluminium is lighter in weight and less prone to corrosion. Steel frames have a wipe-clean powder coating and are heavier.

The legs of folding commodes need rubber stoppers on the ends. These act to prevent the feet from slipping and are important safety features. If you are helping someone from a bed onto a commode, it is crucial to first ensure that the commode is as stable as possible. If it is a folding model, make sure that it is fully open before anyone sits on it.

Transfer from Bed

Position the commode as near to the bed as possible, making for a short distance of travel. Bear in mind that the commode chair’s seat is likely to be lower than the bed. The person will need a lot of support as they move down and back up afterwards.

Sometimes this bed-to-commode transfer is easier when using a transfer board. These aids create a ‘bridge’ from the bed to the chair, enabling the person to edge from one to the other. Transfer boards are available in various sizes.

As well as the static models, mobile commodes are also available. These have wheels which means they act as wheelchairs for short distances if required. It is important to fully engage the brakes before transferring someone from the bed to the chair. Some models with non-rusting components are suitable for use in wet rooms under the shower.

Commodes come with a bucket or pan which fits beneath the seat. These usually have a quick release mechanism for easy disconnection. Most people choose to partially fill the pan with tap water before use.

Hygiene

Hygiene is a big consideration. Disinfection of all the commode’s surfaces is important to prevent the spread of germs. It is essential to wash-out and disinfect the pan itself.

Toilet Seat Comfort

Commode chairs can have uncomfortable seats. If this is the case, using a padded toilet seat might be a good option. These are particularly useful aids if the person has skin which is easily broken.

A padded toilet seat is either circular, or U-shaped. It fits to the existing seat by means of straps, which hold it in place. It provides an extra degree of comfort when sitting down. Foam-filled and inflatable toilet cushions are available.

When using with a standard WC, many people who have difficulty standing up or sitting down, use a raised padded toilet seat. Raising the overall height of the seat puts slightly less stress on the body.

Source : https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/187392268573/mobile-toilets-make-all-the-difference-if-you-lose

Avoid Furniture Surfing and Keep the Home Accessible

79-year-old Helena has lived for 20 years with increasingly severe arthritis. It causes her constant her pain and stiffness all over her body. It is a challenge for her to move around at home but she finds certain equipment makes a big difference. She shares her experience of her key mobility aids in the hope that it might give ideas to others in similar situations.

Luckily for Helena, she has always lived in a single-floor bungalow. The pain in her hips makes climbing and descending stairs particularly uncomfortable, so her home suits her well. The only steps she needs to deal with are the two shallow ones up to her front door and one outside the back door to the garden.

For both of these fitting rails to the adjacent walls at around elbow height, has made a difference. Placing them here on a slant provides support exactly where required. These particular rails are specifically for outside use, so they will not corrode after getting wet in the rain. They have plastic textured surfaces which aid grip and do not feel icy cold even in the middle of winter. Helena has considered fitting mobility ramps to overcome the steps to the front door and garden, but has so far decided against it.

No More Furniture Surfing!

In her late 60s, Helena spent more than a year ‘furniture surfing’ around her home. This meant leaning on sideboards, the backs of chairs and other furniture to get support while moving around the house. Occupational therapists consider this to be dangerous, as you are likely to tip-up the furniture, potentially leading to a fall. For this reason, they strongly advise against it.

Around the house Helena now has grab rails in several strategic locations. Next to the toilet she has a white one fitted to match the tiles. There is also one inside the shower cubical. In the same cubical she keeps a three-legged shower stool. This she uses while showering, so she can sit down and wash her feet without too much strain.

Helena moves from room to room with the aid of a stick. It is aluminium with a special extra-comfy grip. It is lightweight and the shape of the handle grip makes it comfortable even with a lot of downward pressure. The handle’s contours distribute weight across the palm of the hand, so that it doesn’t dig in. This was a big improvement for Helena, who found her old walking stick with a narrow handle increasingly painful to use.

She also has a walking frame designed for indoor use but at the moment does not use it regularly. It is a different matter when she is outside. She finds that a wheeled walker is almost a necessity to make the 600-yard round trip to the local shops.

The rollator she uses has four wheels. This she says is stable and has the extra benefit of an integral seat. She walks slowly even with the rollator, and the seat comes in handy when she needs a rest. When she sits down, the brakes automatically engage, so there is no risk of it rolling from underneath her. She considers this wheeled walker to be among her most valuable mobility aids.

The wheeled walker folds-down when Helena wants to stow it away, but usually she leaves it unfolded at the bottom of the steps outside the front door. This means it is ready and convenient when she wants to go out.

Because her speed of movement is slow even with the rollator, when she goes out with her family, she prefers to use a wheelchair, so she does not hold them up! They push her along at their pace and carry mobility ramps in the car with them. These they have had need to deploy from time to time and have come in handy. The mobility ramps they use are telescopic, so compress down and are easy to carry in a ready-made bag.

Source : https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/187205300328/avoid-furniture-surfing-and-keep-the-home

Simple Aids Help the Severely Obese Stay Mobile

With obesity on the rise in the United Kingdom, bariatric care is becoming increasingly relevant in modern society. More people than ever are carrying excessive weight. 2019 figures from the NHS reveal that 29% of adults in the UK are obese. Of that percentage, a smaller number are severely obesity. This means reduced mobility, leading many turning to disability aids in order to move around independently.

Bariatric Walking Aids

A rollator walker is important equipment for many people who may find it hard to walk because of their weight. Excessive fat puts strain on the body, making it difficult to move even short distances. Not only is weight a factor, but also the greater body mass inhibits the person’s range of motion.

A wheeled walking aid like this offers more support than a stick. It allows both arms and shoulders to take the user’s weight at the same time.

A typical rollator has either three or four wheels and acts as a robust support frame, suitable for outdoor use. For severely overweight people, four wheeled models are better, mainly because of their stability. A wheel in each corner spreads the weight evenly, making the walker less likely to tip over.

These four-wheeled walkers also have a built-in seats. In the case of bariatric models, these seats are wider and strong than standard, making them suitable for heavier people.

For bariatric patients a typical aluminium frame may not be strong enough. Standard aluminium models are lightweight and easy to move, but lack the strength to support heavier individuals.

Steel is a better choice for a bariatric rollator walker due to its strength and weight-bearing capacity. The drawback with steel is that it is heavy, making it more difficult to manoeuvre. The high weight of steel walkers also makes them slightly more awkward to store or transport.

The wheels on the mobility walker also need to be suitable for the pressure of extra user weight. They tend to be larger on bariatric models, with strong steel parts. The overall width of the frame also needs to be wider than standard, to fit people with high body mass.

Before using a walker, it is important to check the maker’s notes to make sure it is suitable for your weight.

For the severely overweight, a reinforced walking frame may be useful for home use. Like the walkers for outdoors, bariatric versions are usually made of steel and are wider than standard frames.

A Mobility Scooter?

For longer distances, a mobility walker is not enough. This can mean the need for a vehicle and some people turn to electric sit-on scooters. These disability aids are expensive but do provide mobility for those struggling to travel under their own steam.

Scooters are available in various sizes, some of which are for pavements and other others for the road itself. Many of the larger models are available with extra wide seats, giving room enough for those with high body mass.

Support Rails

Even in the comfort of home, severely obese people may struggle with their mobility. Again, certain mobility aids may help with routine tasks. Getting in and out of bed can be hard.

Fitting a hoist next to the bed provides a hanging support bar. When lying down, the user reaches up to it, helping them to pull themselves up into a sitting position. Hoists like this are either fixed to the ceiling or there are free standing units which have feet which slide under the bed.

Heavy duty shower benches are available which have a greater weight tolerance than standard models. If the person struggles to stand for a shower, these benches are invaluable. For similar reasons, it may be necessary to fit a support rail inside the shower cubicle.

A rail may also be helpful next to the toilet and the bathroom sink. Having support points in strategic locations around the home is key for independent mobility.

In the living room there are other aids to help. For an obese person, getting to one’s feet from an armchair can be difficult. To help, some grab rails have feet which fit underneath the sofa or armchair. A vertical pole with a handle at the top gives a leverage point for the person to pull themselves up.

Source : https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/187114089543/simple-aids-help-the-severely-obese-stay-mobile

If You’re Bedbound, Remember – Take Steps To Be Comfortable!

Many people living with chronic illness turn to a range of products which make life easier. Some conditions may lead to an individual needing to spend extended periods in bed. After an operation for example, there may be no choice. For these individuals, it’s important to find pieces of equipment which will help.

Overbed Tables

An overbed table for home use is similar to the equipment found next to most hospital beds. If you find yourself confined to bed for long periods, a table like this is useful furniture. Usually fitted with wheels, the feet of these tables roll underneath the bed, allowing easy positioning.

A table like this provides a stable surface from which you can eat meals, keep books, iPads, phones and anything else you might need readily to hand. When not in use, they are generally easy to roll out of the way.

Most models are available with a tilting table-top. This allows it to set at a different angles, which may be helpful for reading books or magazines, or watching a tablet screen.

Most tables are adjustable in height, so they can be set to fit the bed available. It is important you assess both your bed’s height and the space around it, to ensure there is enough room for the table.

Another consideration is the clearance height underneath the bed. If you have a divan, this may only be a narrow gap. Bear in mind that the legs and wheels of the table need to slide into it, so you may only have a small vertical space.

If there is not enough room for wheels, you might need to consider a table without them. Some models have horizontal legs and feet without wheels. The legs themselves slide across the floor and under the bed, needing very little in the way of clearance height.

If you select this option, ensure your flooring is suitable. These types of table work best with carpet, as they require the feet of the table to slide with minimal friction. Hard floors may be at risk of scratching.

Pressure Cushions

Sitting for long periods in a bed may also lead to issues like pressure ulcers. Commonly known as bed sores, these can develop if you stay in one position for a long period. Even while asleep, people tend to move when in bed. Unfortunately, certain physical conditions and illnesses prevent this happening.

If you lose weight, you may find that the harder, bony parts of your body are at risk. Heels, elbows, buttocks and toes can all be vulnerable. Moisture on the skin through incontinence or from some other source can also increase risk.

Pressure cushions distribute body weight evenly, easing the pain of existing ulcers and reducing the risk of more occurring. The technology of pressure relief has developed over the years and various types of cushion are now available.

Many foam pressure relieving cushions are nodular. While the foam itself has weight distribution properties, gaps between the nodules helps air to flow, which in turn keeps the user cool.

This principle also applies to many gel-based pressure relieving cushions. Again, many of these have a nodular design, allowing air to flow while gel sacks efficiently distribute body weight.

As well as using pressure cushions, there are also practical steps to guard against bed sores. The most important of these is to try to change your position regularly. You may need help to do this, but it is vital. It is also important to prevent your skin becoming too moist or too dry. Either could make you susceptible to sores.

Keeping bed sheets flat and smooth also helps. Wrinkled sheets produce catching points which could affect the skin, especially if they are in contact with bony parts of the body. Fleece body protectors are available to protect those areas. These tend to fit loosely and invite airflow, while also gently padding the skin.

Source : https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/186880367693/if-youre-bedbound-remember-take-steps-to-be

How Learning to Adapt To Disability Can Take Time and Courage

Many people talk about the psychological impact disability has on their lives. One big factor is how they mentally frame their condition and their self-identity. For someone used to living an able-bodied life, learning to adapt and change the way they see themselves and their place in the world, can be a challenge.

Many people find it hard coming to terms with using tools for routine tasks. These might include the simple job of walking from A to B, or even using the bathroom. Some feel a sense of shame that they require help, while others feel exposed to the judgment of others. Overcoming these feelings may take time.

Often there is a temptation to shut oneself away from the world. The idea of using aids like crutches, walking sticks, rollators or wheelchairs is hard to accept for many. Using something like a disabled shower seat in private is one thing, but using a walking frame in public is another matter.

Some disabled people resist the advice of occupational therapists about tools which might assist them. This is usually because they don’t want to draw attention to their disability, they feel embarrassed, or they do not want to invite questions. This can be especially true for a young person.

Walking using disability aids will on occasion lead to questions like “what have you done to yourself?” or “had an accident?” If the truth is in fact that you have a chronic illness or disability which may involve a long story to explain, this may not be welcome.

Many in the community feel it is important to be as visible as possible, in order to gradually normalise disability. By doing this, they argue that it will in turn become less of a talking point and reduce the ‘gawp factor’, hated by so many.

Getting Used to Questions

Julie lives in Hove and developed a spinal condition in her early thirties which meant she could no longer walk unaided. Initially her physio suggested that she use a walking frame. This she did in the privacy of her home, but was resistant to it in public. She did not like the idea of having to explain her situation as she found it distressing and repetitive.

While she could rationalise that she should not feel ashamed, Julie did not enjoy such conversations and would go to great lengths to avoid them. It took nearly a year to have a change of heart. It was only after many discussions with close friends and online with people in similar situations, did she realise that for her, there was a greater good involved.

Although she still disliked the idea of going out in public, she knew that unless she adapted, she would not make the most of her life. In private she made the change far more readily. She started using a disabled shower seat and installed grab rails around the house. She also used a walking frame with wheels to move between rooms.

These changes made a big difference to her mobility at home. As a result, she gradually realised that it was the lesser of the evils to use equipment in public as well. The disabled shower seat, for example, greatly improved her comfort in the bathroom.

A rollator was the first of a series of mobility aids Julie began using outside. This is a simple and robust wheeled walking frame made for outdoor use. As I young woman, it does invite questions, but overall she knows she is better with it than without it.

The rollator has become routine and others are familiar with seeing her with it. It has become a part of her daily life and she no longer fears its use.

Another problem surrounding disability is the inconsistency of its effects. For example, many people may need a wheelchair or mobility aids on some occasions while not at others. When using disabled parking bays, this can cause issues.

If a third party sees someone parking in a disabled bay and walking away from the car, it can lead to accusations. This is all part of the wider misunderstanding in society of the nature of disability.

Source : https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/186559830738/how-learning-to-adapt-to-disability-can-take-time