Mobility Aids to Help Around The Home
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I find it hard to ask for help, even now after so many years of struggling, I’ll keep on going until I can’t anymore. Ash has got quite good at telling me to stop and sit down, however, I don’t often listen to him. However, knowing my limits isn’t the only thing that we have tried to work on, I’ve also had to agree to my own changes around the home.
So in this post, I got into some items which might help those who are struggling with mobility in rooms around the home.
Kitchen
The kitchen was once a room I spent more time in, these days I’m pretty much banned from the room. After not only struggling with cutting things but also deciding to pick up hot objects without gloves. However, there are items in the kitchen we have used over the years to try and help.
For instance, a perching stool used to allow me to sit and help with cooking or washing up. While it was recommended we switched the kettle for a hot water dispenser, I never needed to pick up something hot when I fancied a cup of tea.
Other useful items for the kitchen can be; adapted cutlery, food-cutting aids and can openers to name a few.
Lounge
You may think there is nothing much you can do to make a lounge more mobility friendly, however, that isn’t true.
Personally, I have risers on my sofa which make it easier for me to get onto, while in future I may look into homecare recliner chairs, these not only help you sit comfortably but can help you stand by rising and tilting forwards. You can even get rise and recline sofas, and these days they really can look nice.
We also have tables around at good heights for allowing me to keep drinks or my laptop within safe reach. At the moment I’m thinking of buying a side table which when not in use could fit over the sofa to make more room overall.
Bedroom
The bedroom for me is a haven and something we have struggled to get right over the years, in fact right now it is perhaps the room I am struggling with the most.
It is a room which offers many options from homecare beds and adjustable mattresses to simple additions like bed ladders, sidebars and more supportive pillows to help make the bed you have safer for you.
However, choosing and finding the right option can take time and patience (something which I often lack). However, I have learnt a firm higher mattress makes getting up off the bed much easier.
Bathroom
When it comes to the bathroom it is definitely a room I have a love / hate relationship with. I love a shower, but it’s basically the only thing I can then do that day. We thankfully have a wetroom and a stool in the shower which takes some of the pressure off me when it comes to washing.
While we also have a number of grab rails and moving rails which help when I am struggling the most to stand and move.
Garden and Outdoors
Again grab rails are found around our front and back doors to help me with getting in and out of the home, we are awaiting ramps being installed – but I’m not holding out hope of that happening anytime soon.
I like to try and walk a little so I use a mix of a stick on my right side (I can no longer use a stick on my left) and my wheelchair to traverse the world outside. I have to admit that I am very thankful to have an electric wheelchair as it does mean I have been able to venture a bit more into the world since it has arrived.
Of course, this post goes into just a few aids and adaptions that I have around the home or might have thought about it and everyone’s needs are different. If you are struggling, please don’t be afraid to ask for help and accept the use of aids as I know taking that step to include them in your life can be hard.
Do you have any adaptations to your home? How do they help you?
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Grab rails and handles are a must in a bathroom. Especially as you get older and you can’t lift your leg to get into the bath!
Definitely a good idea to add to the home for anyone unsteady on their feet.
Our wet room is brilliant. So much safer.
They are great aren’t they – I remember having my first shower after it was fitted and I just sat their for ages.
We have a wet room which I love. We invested in one of those bidet toilets which might become more useful in the future.
Honestly that is something I would love to look into – they seem like such a great idea and so much cleaner.
We dont have any current adaptations in our home, but we are getting to the point now where our son is starting to need them. Just things like lifting him in and out the bath is getting very difficult as he’s getting bigger!
I bet that is hard – I think you can get bath hoists to help you in and out of the bath. Hopefully you have someone who is helping your with getting the right items to help you all.
These are great suggestions, perfect for those needing a bit of extra help around the house!
Thank you – I am so glad you have found them helpful.
I am having a few issues at the moment, one being a bulging disc in my neck and now starting to have issues with my hip and back, so this blog is really helpful.
Oh gosh I bet that is so painful, if you need to help don’t be afraid to ask for it you can normally self refer to the local social care for an OT assessment who can help you with what aids might help.
I use a number of aids like you and in the garden we have a thick rope going down the steps so it isn’t obviously a support for me and a lot prettier. I also have had to check the weight of cups and plates as that is a nightmare struggling to hold something as simple as a cup of tea. I guess every little thing helps
Oh, I like the idea of having the rope as that probably looks so much nicer than some of the other options out there. I know what you mean about cups and plates as well, sometimes my grip just goes.
I have used a perch stool in the kitchen for quite a few years now. I have to say it’s such a great help to have when you have mobility issues and tire easily like I do with my ongoing health issues.
It really is such a help – I don’t know what I would do without mine, though I’ve found for me I am much better with a flat one rather than a slanted one.
I love my riser/recliner chair! I don’t always need the riser to help me get up, but it is invaluable when I do. Likewise, I don’t need my electric chair for short distances but it is a godsend when I want to go a bit further afield, and when I am on holiday, as I don’t have to expend all my ‘spoons’ getting somewhere, leaving some to enjoy myself once I am there.
The little things can make sure a difference can’t they? Just being able to enjoy being outside with the help of a chair and not worry about if your make it back after walking a little way is huge!
@Sarah-Louise Bailey,
Indeed. Constantly having to gauge when you need to go back can, in itself, be exhausting!
It really is and I have to admit I still have no idea how you work it out.
These things make out lives so much easier, my biggest hurdle was when I had to admit I needed a walking stick and then wheelchair after so many falls, being too scared to go out and housebound for a couple of years, and now freedom once again. I have gone from DISabled to ENabled that is why these items are worth their weight in gold to me!
It is amazing how much of a difference it can make when you just try it – but taking that step is such a big thing.
You are such a strong willed person Sarah! I have so much to learn from you. I love how you never give up but we’re also similar in the fact we don’t know when to stop even though we’re compromising ourselves. I guess we’re both lucky we have our partners to watch out for us.
It’s so good to see there are furniture and tools out there to make things easier for you. In the end of the day, you’re no difference to anyone else. We all need something adapted to us to help us achieve further let it be furniture or tutoring or a personal trainer. Thanks for sharing this article to help others know what help is out there for people with physical limitations.
If you saw me the days I’m freaking out over the fact I can’t tie my shoe you might not say the same. I mean I laugh about it now but I ended up almost throwing my trainers and sat down on the floor crying, oh dear.
It’s hard though isn’t it you have to keep going or what else is there to do? You are amazing! Don’t forget that.
I’m blessed not to need any but for my dad – my brother made a low pull out shelf with his kettle and drink making stuff at wheelchair height
That’s such a good idea! I recently saw a kitchen where the whole thing went up and down depending on if the person was in a wheelchair or able-bodied! It was incredible.
@Sarah-Louise Bailey, that sounds amazing but how expensive would that be?
It’s got to be a lot I would think £10k at least but wow it looked good!