Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from 2018

Adjusting To Life in a Wheelchair

If you have a friend or loved one who has become a wheelchair user, either permanently or for a short time, you will have seen how difficult the transition from legs to wheels can be. The physical limitations surface immediately and continue to arise during the initial stages of getting used to the wheelchair. Besides the physical issues, depression at the loss of the use of one’s legs is another major area of concern. Once the initial problems are overcome, the depression will decrease, and life can once again be active and fulfilling. The key is to find solutions to the problems that the user faces. Image Courtesy: Pexels Problems and Solutions Invest in a good wheelchair. Not all of them are the same and a comfortable one that fits the user well will make a big difference. Ensuring that the chair has the customizations that the user needs will increase the comfort levels and make getting used to life in it much easier. Make modifications to the home. Removing

Traveling With a Bad Back

Millions of Americans suffer from back pain. The intensity can range from discomfort to severe and immobilizing agony. Treating back pain is often a long drawnout process and, in some cases,curing it is not possible and all that medicine can do is to help the patient manage the pain. Back pain can affect a person’s ability to perform even the simplest of daily tasks and by doing this, negatively affect the quality of life. One of the biggest limitations that this condition imposes is that it often limits a person’s ability to travel, even for short distances. Being cooped up in the house because of chronic back pain is boring and depressing and this can damage the health in more ways, adding to the medical conditions that need to be treated. If you or someone you know suffers from back pain issues, knowing how to travel safely can make a huge difference to life. Safe Travel Tips It is not just getting in and out of a car that can exacerbate back problem; even sitting in a

Going Home Alone After Surgery

Going under the knife is never fun. The sooner a person is able to return home to complete the recovery, the faster it will be .Being in a comfortable familiar environment, surrounded by the things that make you happy is proven to offer the mental and physical benefits that speed up recovery. Recovery is a slow, measured process and care needs to be taken not to do anything that could affect how it progresses.  If you live with your family, there will be people around you to care of you and help you get back on your feet. However, more and more people are today what are called “Solo Adults.” That is a person who lives independently and is often happier if not surrounded by people all the time. If you are one of these, or know someone like that, there is nothing wrong and you, or they, are not a hermit . You just like your privacy. It is only when you return home after surgery that problem arises. Image Courtesy : Pexels Home Alone When your surgery was plann

Transportation Hurdles Faced By The Elderly

Everyone slows down and develops physical frailties as they age. This does not mean that the elderly lose interest in travel, physical activities, socializing and entertainment outside the home. In fact, these activities and the mental stimulus that they provide are an important factor in helping seniors remain mentally alert and agile. The problem that many of the elderly face is that their physical limitations often affect their ability to travel. Travel, in this context, does not mean long-distance journeys; it means being able to move around town to get to places and people of interest. According to a 2011 report published by the National Caregivers Library, there are 8.4 million seniors in this country who are dependent on others for their transportation. There are a number of reasons for this:       ·    Driving: Cars and roads are designed for use by younger fit drivers. Slowing reflexes, diminished eyesight and loss of energy/stamina all make it not just difficult but a

Seniors Should Not Be Prisoners in Their Homes

One of the truest of all old adages is that “No man is an island.” We think of youth as a time when friendships are formed and “best friends” are created. In adult life relationships become deeper and often stronger – both personally and professionally. When it comes to old age, we tend to think of the elderly as being those who have had their fill of social life and who want to relax at home, read, watch TV or play board games, with the occasional solitary walk thrown in. The fact is that the need for company, support and love is not something that decreases as we age. The truth is that an active social life is important for seniors, perhaps more than those who are younger. Image Courtesy:http://www.mountpleasantgranary.net/ Why Remaining Socially Engaged Is Important Healthy relationships play an important part in making us who we are and molding the way our lives turn out. Although their physically active years may be behind them, the importance of social activities

Transportation Safety for Wheelchair Users

Having access to vehicular transportation is not a luxury – it is a necessity. From work to social events, education, shopping and all the other activities that are a part of normal life, transportation plays a key role in providing access. Transport can often be a problem for those with disabilities. It is a major and persistent issue for those who are wheelchair users. This is not a random subjective statement. The Bureau of Transpiration statistics has stated this in its 2002 report and the findings have been confirmed by the National Council of Disability in its 2005 study. Image Courtesy:https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/ Some wheelchair users may be able to transition from the chairs to a vehicle seat, but the process is often difficult and painful. If the transition is not possible, then the wheelchair must also become a motor vehicle seat so that the person may be transported to where he or she wishes to go. While there are vans and other vehicles that can be modifie

Living with a Wheelchair

Having a medical condition that necessitates using a wheelchair permanently can be a huge transition for anyone. The change can be very difficult both physically and psychologically. One of the first major emotions a person feels when using a wheelchair is depression because of the loss of mobility and the limitations on some activities. That is natural but remaining positive and focusing on what can be done with a wheelchair will provide light in the darkness and make a return to a normal life much easier and faster. Image Courtesy : https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/ Being Positive is Important                     ·          There are various types and models of wheelchairs available – many designed for special applications like rugged outdoor use, sports and so on. Spend time to find the one that is right of right for you. If the budget permits, perhaps you could consider more than one so you are ready for activities that interest you and require special equipment.

How to Find the Right Medical Transportation Company

Life can be difficult for those with mobility issues, either caused by the after effects of surgery or illness or of a more permanent form. The ability to travel away from home and resume as much as possible of normal social and professional activities goes a long way towards building up the quality of life.Unfortunately, driving is often not an option and the use of public transport is not a practical or viable alternative , for a variety of reasons.This is why the availability of Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) has become both so important and so widespread. NEMT, to put it simply, is a service that uses specially equipped and modified vehicles and trained drivers to transport those who are unable to use other forms of transport or for whom it may be unsafe. As the name says, the service is not meant for use in emergencies but for all kinds of other transportation such as doctor’s appointments, visiting friends, going to events etc. As anyone who uses NEMT knows, using t

New Wheelchair Technologies

Although wheelchairs offer a form of mobility to those who would otherwise be confined to a very limited area, their functionality is basic. Ask anyone who has been confined to a wheelchair for any length of time and you will be told that while it is useful, it is far from perfect. Only a wheelchair user will know the obstacles that have to be faced everyday. However, advances in technology have made new designs possible which in turn offer much greater comfort, mobility and flexibility of use. Image Courtesy :https://upload.wikimedia.org             ·          Carbon Fiber Wheelchairs: The use of carbon fiber has transformed the bicycle from a humdrum means of transport to a high tech piece of equipment that can be used for everything from daily transport to world class sports. The same now applies to wheelchairs. Carbon fiber wheelchairs are very tough, light and offer much cycle like features, including lights for night time use.                            ·        

Entering and Exiting a Car after Knee Replacement Surgery

Joint replacement surgery is becoming increasingly common, not only among the elderly but with younger people too. The causes range from medical conditions like osteoarthritis to injuries. Among all joint replacements, those of the knee are the ones most frequently performed. Prior to the surgery patients suffer from pain and limited mobility. Once the replacement has been done, and the recovery completed, they can expect to resume a normal life free from pain and with full mobility. A common mistake that many people make which could cause injury is doing things the wrong way during the recovery time. Getting in and out of a car in an incorrect manner is one of them. Image Courtesy : https://c1.staticflickr.com/ Traveling by Road Is Fine, But….. After years of pain and movement limitations, patients are eager to live their lives in comfort. Being able to travel without hinderance is something most look forward to. But car journeys can be a problem. It is not the trip itself

Make the most out of your visits to the Doctor

Visiting the doctor can be a pain at the best of times. However, it is something that you cannot avoid. When you are recovering from injury, major illness or surgery, regular visits are a vital part of getting well again. These visits allow the doctor to review how the recovery is going and, if needed, make any changes to medication, therapy etc. to ensure that the progress continues as it should. The problem is that when you are in the recovery stage, you are far from your best, both mentally and physically and that could lead to situations where you are unable to give the doctor the inputs he needs to monitor your progress. Additionally, the strain of the trip to the clinic could leave you feeling worse than you should. Here are a few simple strategies to overcome these problems. Image Courtesy : https://cdn.pixabay.com/ List out Medically Relevant Information Keep a daily diary of how you feel during the day and how you sleep at night. Any changes in the pattern are

Returning Home after Surgery

Surgery is never a pleasant experience, but one that has to be endured. Recovering from the procedure may take a long time and if that is the case, a large part of the healing process will be done at home. How you get home from the hospital, how you manage at home and how you travel when you need to during the recovery phase all contribute to how fast you return to your normal lifestyle. Image Courtesy :https://media.defense.gov/2015/Oct/12/2001299372/600/400/0/150929-A-TI382-089.JPG Going Home How you travel home depends on the type of surgery you have undergone. Even if you are mobile, doctors often advise against travel by car as the stress of getting in and out and sitting upright during the journey could at the least, leave you overly tired and at the worst, cause complications to your condition. The best way to travel home, if car travel is not advised, is to use a Non-Emergency Medical Transport (NEMT) service. Their special vans are designed to carry thos