Though more and more public areas are now incorporating solutions that make it easier for those with mobility difficulties people to access the facility, it’s still not uncommon to come across a park, mall, or cinema that doesn’t facilitate people with limited mobility. In these situations not only is it difficult to get a friend or a family member in and around places, but it can be really stressful for the person who is handicapped and also for you, as the person accompanying them.
On the other hand, people with limited mobility have difficulty managing things around the house. Even though there are solutions available on the market which can help out a lot, these products are usually expensive and also costly to install and maintain.
Just as not having the right equipment and infrastructure can be an added problem, lack of training and the right education is also a big hindrance. Many people who are living with a person who is physically less able aren’t actually trained or taught the techniques that they need to know in order to make their less-abled family members’ lives easier. Even though they would love to know, they simply haven’t taken the time out to learn, or they just aren’t aware of the training, books, and other sources that they can use to learn how to better take care of the handicapped person.
Below we will cover some steps that you can take to make life easier for yourself and your less able loved one both at home and outside.
1. Research
Rather than going back to the places that you know have handicapped assistance over and over again, do your research to find new places. Going to the same cinema, the same malls and the same places of entertainment can get boring. While it can be very uncomfortable to go to a place and find that they aren’t handicapped-friendly, you should do research beforehand so you know what to expect. There are many recreational parks that are dedicated to people with physical disabilities and you can find similar facilities such as amusement parks and entertainment centers in your area. If a friend invites you and your loved one to a restaurant or a café, you can do your research online and find out whether they facilitate handicapped guests.
2. Right Equipment
Sometimes the simple day-to-day problems in life can be more of a hassle than they need to be if you don’t have the right equipment. Just because you or a loved one has limited mobility doesn’t mean that they can no longer enjoy everyday life. Finding the right equipment doesn’t have to be difficult and it won’t cost too much. The guidelines at Mobility Paradise about buying scooters, wheelchairs, and their accessories come from seasoned professionals that can teach you a thing or two about buying handicapped equipment. With the right equipment, your less-abled partner or friend will rely less on others, and this greatly improves their self-confidence and self-reliance while also reducing the workload for the people they live with.
3. Connect
People who aren’t born with disabilities are used to living a fully-abled life and when that is no longer possible, they can often fall victim to depression because they aren’t able to participate in life with the abled people that they once socialized with. There are a number of associations, groups, and communities dedicated to disabled people where people with all kinds of handicaps can come together to socialize and do things together. This is a great way to not only stay active but also make new friends and connections and learn from the experiences of people living with the same kind of disabilities. You can easily find groups all over the country and in your locality.
For both people who are born with disabilities and those who acquire them later in life, the way they face life can be challenging, though this doesn’t mean it can’t be fun, enjoyable, and productive. With the numerous services and products that are available for people with mobility difficulties, life can still be a wonderful thing. Today, through modern technology, we have excellent solutions that were never before available for consumers. The solutions that were available just a couple of decades ago were not nearly as functional as the ones we have today, and they were a lot more expensive. With the latest products and the homely communities that exist, you or your loved one can do all kinds of things. If you want to improve the personal or professional life of a friend or family member with limited mobility, do your research, invest in the right products, and connect with people going through a similar experience to get the most out of life.