When a family member is struggling with their independence due to a disability, it can be hard to watch. It’s very important to support them through this time. This might take the form of emotional support, self-esteem building or giving them a physical hand while they experiment with ways to keep their independence.
We’ve had members of our family struggle with difficulty when it comes to mobility. Arthritis has been main factor for our older relatives, which has been hard to see them work through. My father’s arthritis became so painful he was barely able to put any weight on on his leg. Thankfully, he was able to have an operation which helped his mobility and reduced the pain (unfortunately it also reduced the range of movement).
Other family members have not been as lucky as my dad, and have at times felt a sense of loss of their independence. As a family, it’s important to be there for your loved ones and research ways to help them – especially if information isn’t all that readily available.
Our Experience of Helping Family Members Maintain Independence
I’ll start by saying everyone is different, so what works for one person might not work for another. The below list is everything we’ve found successful for various family members. Some solutions may work for some and not others.
The experience our family has had involves supporting parents and grandparents, so we haven’t had a great deal of experience with solutions that might work well for younger people who are confident using gadgets.
The list below covers some of the more traditional solutions to helping loved ones maintain their independence when they are struggling with a disability.
A mobility scooter
Mobility scooters are fantastic for anyone with limited mobility or is in a position where they can’t stand for long or walk far. Getting a mobility scooter for a loved one will help give them a new sense of freedom they may not have previously felt. It enables them to run small errands like nipping to the shop, without enlisting the help of a family member to take them. Some supermarkets have specially adapted shopping trolleys meaning your loved one doesn’t even need to leave their scooter to do their shop.
Touch-Dots and hand rails
If your loved one is struggling with their independence due to sight loss, there are a few things that can be done. If their house has uneven flooring such as a small step between rooms, they might be eligible for funding to get hand rails put up nearby to help them navigate the floor.
Touch-Dots are another great invention. These are brightly coloured tactile dots that can be used as markers for various things in the house. For example, sticking a Touch-Dot to the most used programme on the washing machine will help your loved one to laundry unassisted (without having to worry they’ll shrink the load). The significance of colour is that some eye conditions that cause central vision loss, retail some peripheral vision, and bright colours can stand out more.
Mobility Bathroom
When someone is struggling with their mobility, it can feel embarrassing for them when it comes to personal hygiene. They might not be able to navigate a traditional bathroom and it might make them feel uncomfortable to ask for assistance. Changing to a mobility bathroom might be the easiest solution. You can choose from things like a walk-in bath or a shower with handrails and a seat. It means that your loved on can retain their independence and dignity when it comes to washing and getting ready for the day ahead.