When your loved one has mobility problems or is in a wheelchair, you will likely want to help them out as much as possible every day, but you might not necessarily know the best ways in which you can do this. Then, rather than struggling to know what to do for the best to help them and worrying that you can take the wrong measures, here are some of the top things that you can do to help a loved one who has long-term mobility problems, whether they are your child or a close friend.
Get a Wheelchair-Friendly Car
Whether they travel with you a lot, or you want to get them a vehicle for themselves to use, you might consider investing in a wheelchair-friendly car that can help your loved one to get from place to place without any issues. A wheelchair-accessible vehicle can ensure that your loved one can go on day trips and vacations with you, as well as get to the doctor’s surgery for appointments and even grocery shopping. Then, not only will having a wheelchair-friendly car make them less reliant on others, but it can also help them to more easily participate in daily life without having to get public transport or constantly worry about how they will get around. Then, suppose you want to bring a wheelchair-accessible car into someone you love’s life. In that case, you should consider looking at the products that Allied Mobility has on offer, as their range of wheelchair-accessible cars and vehicles can ensure that you can find an option that suits their needs and which allows them to live life to the full.
Ask What They Need
Rather than simply presuming what the needs of a wheelchair user might be, you should instead ask them what they need you to do and what type of help they may need, or wait for them to ask you whether you can help them with a task. This can then ensure that you do not trample over their independence and ability to perform certain activities, that you make no presumptions, and that you can help in a way that is useful to them as an individual, as every disabled person’s needs are different. Not only this, but, a lot of the time, the disabled person in question will not need help, or will only be struggling with a task because it has not been adapted for their disability, and so helping them without knowing what they need can be detrimental. Then, it would help if you always asked what they would like you to do, as this can ensure that resentment and frustration do not build up between you.
Check Out Places Before You Go
Many people who are not disabled suggest activities and trips to certain places without thinking about whether or not they are accessible. However, this all needs to change when you have a disabled loved one or friend, as some places are more accessible to disabled people than others. Then, before you visit a location, you should visit their website to find accessibility information and look at reviews on accessibility. If you cannot find this, you should consider contacting the company on social media or on the phone to check whether the place in question is accessible. You should also look to see whether there are accessible parking spots nearby, accessible toilets, ramps for disabled people and wheelchair hire, and other elements that can make the experience run smoothly for your disabled loved one.
Talk to Them About Their Condition
If you have only just noticed that they are having mobility issues, or if you are unsure what the limitations of their condition are, you should talk to them about their condition if they are open to it. This will ensure that you are both on the same page and can enable you to offer a listening ear if they want to talk about any worries that they are having, which can then boost their mental health. Suppose your loved one has not got a diagnosis for their mobility issues. In that case, you might also consider talking to them about their condition and symptoms, as well as the possibility that they go to the doctor’s surgery and ask them about the symptoms that they are experiencing and any advice that they can give them for it. By giving them moral and emotional support, you will often be able to be more helpful than giving them physical help and support in completing daily tasks, which your loved one will often be able to perform with the right aids.
Adapt Your Home
However, suppose you want to sustain your relationship in light of their mobility issues. In that case, you should consider adapting your home so that you can invite them around to your home without worrying about how they will be able to get around it easily. This can include putting rails within your hallways or bathrooms and considering installing a ramp for your front door, with some of these being removable and able to be packed away after use. Then, rather than thinking that they will not be able to visit your home anymore, which can sometimes be the most comfortable place to meet for them if they are having trouble finding a meeting place that is accessible, there are many adaptations that you can make to make visiting you easier for them.
Then, if you are struggling to know what to do for the best to help a loved one with their mobility problems and disabilities, especially if they have only recently sustained these mobility problems and got a diagnosis, this guide takes you through some of the top steps that you can take. From adapting your home to buying a wheelchair-friendly vehicle, even the smallest steps can ensure that you are doing what is best for your loved ones, and they are sure to appreciate the actions that you do take to keep them comfortable.
