How to Make Running Errands Easier for Those Handicapped by Arthritis

Seniors and others suffering from arthritis often find themselves housebound. If they are fortunate enough, they may have a good network of relatives or caregivers available to shuttle them to shops, restaurants, and doctor's appointments. Shuttle vans are great, but whatever happened to good old independence? Many persons with arthritis may wonder if that flew out the window when arthritis came along. We will illustrate how it is not only possible for persons with arthritis to be mobile and independent, but how this can help enrich their lives.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Mobility Aids
• Mobility Accessories
• A Positive Attitude !!

1. The first thing you have to do in order to get "out and about" is to be able to rise from your bed and accomplish your morning grooming rituals. The use of various helpful bars, handles, and lifts that allow comfortable transition off of beds, sofas, and chairs can make this first step easier to accomplish. In addition, there are many helpful bathing, toileting, and grooming products designed specifically for those handicapped by arthritis. There are super button and zipper aids that help those handicapped by arthritis to dress themselves. Extra long shoe horns and Deluxe Sock Aids make getting your shoes on a lot easier. Shower Chairs and Tub Bars ensure you can have your morning shower with minimal risk of falling.
2. Identify items that can be used to help you carry bags or other things, as you move about town. Are you fairly mobile on your own? Lightweight, folding shopping carts are available to carry your books and some groceries, too. Use a walker? There are a surprisingly large number of baskets and pouches to help users of walkers carry small items. For wheelchair users, extra-big backpacks which attach to the back of the chair help carry items. (And by the way--don't you hate those cold plastic arms on wheelchairs? Try some easy-to-slip-on fleece arm covers!) A combo walker/scooter person? You've covered, too, with a slick holder for your scooter--to carry your walker. Easy to put in, easy to take out.
3. Enhance your wheelchair, walker, or scooter with nifty add-on accessories that make moving around easier and safer. Ever noticed how those super-grippy walker tips are great for slippery floors--but they snag on carpeting? Easy glide tips pop right on and let you slide the walker across carpeted surfaces (and don't all libraries seem to have carpeting?). Anticipate coming home late? Well, after a long evening, it's a snap to find your way home with a set of three bright-white LED lights made especially to attach to walkers. In addition, there are Safety Flags that can be mounted onto scooters, manual wheelchairs, and power chairs to increase your visibility to motorists.