Winchester Lifestyle Oct - Nov 2021

MOBILITY MATTERS
Mobility aids can make a huge difference to someone who is older or living
with a disability, by giving them the opportunity to remain independent both
at home and out and about
If you’re living with limited mobility there
are a number of mobility aids available
which can make it easier for you get
around - whether you’re inside or outside.
From help getting to and from your car,
to effective mobility equipment which can
aid you climbing the stairs, investing your
time in investigating your care and mobility
aid options can assist you in making daily
activities simpler and more enjoyable.
As we age, our balance can often
become compromised, leading to slips,
trips and falls. While inconvenient and
painful at any age, a fall for someone
of advancing years can have dramatic
consequences – ageing bones are more
liable to breaks than younger ones, and
take considerably longer to mend, rarely
restoring complete function.
WALKING STICK
A walking stick is a simple and effective
method of providing extra support for
anyone who experiences problems with
balance or walking. Easily available, they
come in a range of sizes and designs,
making it easy to find one that suits your
loved one’s circumstances.
4-WHEELED ROLLATORS
4-wheeled rollators are a great option if
you need more support when walking.
They come in a variety of different styles,
including one with seats so you can rest
when you need to or bags so you can
carry your shopping without having to
struggle with carrying extra bags.
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WHEELCHAIRS
If your loved one’s doctor thinks that a
wheelchair would be appropriate, they
will be offered an appointment with their
nearest NHS Wheelchair Service centre.
In these instances, the wheelchair will
be completely free of charge and will be
maintained by the NHS.
If your loved one would prefer to organise
their own wheelchair, they will be offered
a voucher to set against some, or all, of
the cost.
Where the NHS does not consider a
wheelchair to be necessary, it is still
possible to source one through a range
of providers, with some models folding
down for ease of transportation.
MOBILITY SCOOTERS
Mobility scooters are a reliable way to
help you get around if you find walking
distances difficult and need extra
support. When choosing a scooter, bear
in mind:
• How often you need to use it
• what you need it for (roads or
pavements)
• Whether it needs to go in a car
• Where you’ll store your scooter and
how you will charge it
• How much it costs to maintain and
repair
• Whether you’ll be able to steer it
(some have special levers to steer
them if you have arthritis in your
hands)
STAIRLIFTS
With more elderly people choosing to
remain in their own homes, rather than
moving into residential care, elderly care
at home is becoming a popular option.
High quality live-in care agencies will
closely match a carer with your loved one
to ensure their needs are met fully.
Where stairs are an issue, a stairlift can
offer real benefits, allowing your loved
one to move about their own home in
complete safety. Stairlifts come in a
variety of styles and designs and can be
fitted to most stairways, even where they
have many twists and turns.
HOME MOBILITY AIDS
There are a variety of products available
to help your mobility around the home.
These include, but are not limited to:
• Grab rails/handrails, to help prevent
falls around the home
• Grab rails for the bed or a chair to
help you to stand
• Raised toilet seats or commode
chairs, toilets with button flushes
• Walk in baths or showers with a
seat
• Easy to turn taps in the kitchen and
bathroom
• A kettle with a holder to make it
easier to pour, alongside easy to
grip utensils
• Gadgets to help pull shoes and
socks on
• A contact care button to help in the
event of a fall