As is well known, eating habits and daily exercises have a direct impact on our health. With healthy life habits, the results appear quickly and encourages us to keep up our efforts in this way. On the other hand, bad habits over a long period of time have long-term consequence that tend to appear only after many years.
Even though mobility loss isn’t directly correlated to age, many elderly people are confronted by it. As many products have been created to assist those with limited mobility, it is important to remember that all solutions don’t apply to everyone. It is crucial to find the right tool for the right problem, so that one can find the adequate solution to bring them autonomy, safety, comfort and dignity.
Key takeaways
- See a healthcare professional first to identify the device that meets your needs.
- Each aid has its use: a walker at home, a rollator to rest along the way, a transport chair for outings together, a scooter for long distances.
- Neither under- nor over-adapted: too little isn’t safe, too much gets in the way of independence.
- For a loved one: talk about their needs before buying and respect their pace of acceptance.
Cane, walker, rollator, wheelchair, mobility scooter… Which is best?
The massive variety of mobility products can cause headaches for those confronted by it for the first time. The first step is to consult with your health specialist, which will know best what you truly need to assist with your medical struggles. You might also want to come by Équipements Adaptés MCL, where our experienced team can guide you through all the available products in a compassionate and patient way.
What does it mean to be “Adapted to your needs” ?
It is important for one’s health to stay active, both by body and mind. Someone who doesn’t leave the house by fear of falling or sudden fatigue will be closed off. Social interactions are a vital part of one’s health. Even though family and friends come and visit once in a while, their busy lives prevent them from visiting as much as they might want, or you might need.
Cooped up indoors, one becomes isolated, which can lead to an anxiety concerning the outside world. As our contact to the world becomes limited to television or the internet, where the news are rarely good, we become burdened by a darkened conception of the oudoors.
Even as a walker might be ideal to walk inside the home, it is rarely adequate to walk for prolonged periods outdoors. For many, the rollator is the better option to go out and walk on the sidewalks and local parks. With it’s intergrated bench, you can sit down when your legs become too tired to push on. For those unable to walk, a transport chair is ideal for outings for two. As one can rest in the wheelchair, the other can push it, meaning both can enjoy their time outside. For those wanting to traverse longer distances on their own without driving a car, a mobility scooter might be the right solution. Some scooters are designed for both indoor and outdoor usage, and others are better for long treks to the park along bicycle lanes, meaning you might just be able to go and visit friends and family.
It is important not to provide an “over-adapted” or and “under-adapted” solution to a mobility problem.
Obviously, an “under-adapted” product simply won’t fill the user’s need, be it safety or mobility. On the other hand, an “over-adapted” product might preclude its user from fully using their motor capacity, leading to a degradation of their overall mobility. It is our philosohpy that autonomy should be encouraged, and not stifled by excessive usage of mobility products. As an example, it wouldn’t be advisable to use a wheelchair if a simple walker would suffice.
I’m looking to adapt the home of one of my relatives. How can I evaluate their needs ?
It can be difficult to figure out the precise needs of someone with limited mobility. Often, they may refuse to change their life habits or refuse to acquire a mobility aid. Pride, fear or ignorance may reinforce such refusals. We have to accompany them respectfully through their choices and towards acceptance of their conditions.
Some products, such as bed rails, wall-mounted grab bars, super-poles, or even lift-chairs can assist one with their mobility while indoors. Often, some fear these new installations might be ugly. In many cases, they become a constant reminder of one’s frustrating physical condition. Purchases made by a relative are too often returned, or hidden in a closet never to be used. A consistent refusal of specialized equipements might be a symptom of a refusal of one’s condition rather than the equipements themselves. There are nevertheless discreet and esthetic choices available to harmonize one’s home with the equipements.
To avoid unnecessary purchases – and please note that many hygiene products cannot be returned once purchased – and the inconvieniences it might bring, we recommend speaking to the person beforhand, in order to provide the right equipement with regards to their condition and needs. We also recommend inquiring about the myriad of different products available for many specific conditions.
Overall, even though buying specialized equipement might not seem thrilling, it is essential to take the time to learn about the many available products, the specific condition and needs of the user. With the right choice, you will be able to provide the right support and solutions in order to bring them safety, mobility and quality of life, all of which can lead to a better physical and mental health.
