Moving with the times

ALISON COLEMAN takes a look at mobility aid options

Staying active and independent is top of everyone’s wish list for later life. And while the ageing process will inevitably have some impact on a lifestyle, a burgeoning mobility aid market is presenting people with more opportunities than ever to lead an active life.

Whether it is visiting family and friends, or hitting the shops for a spot of retail therapy, getting out and about is an essential part of life. If disability or age-related health issues hinder your movement, a mobility scooter can be the answer.

There are different models designed for different situations, with different prices, so it pays to choose the right one, said Jason Tate begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting, director of Help My Mobility, an organization that offers free independent information on mobility products.

“We get a lot of enquiries from people who are unsure about which scooter to buy. Our advice is to think about what you are planning to use it for and that will help you to narrow down your options,” he said.

Easy Care Mobility and TGA Mobility are just two of the suppliers that offer a full range of mobility scooters, from light weight portable models to the heavier road-based vehicles.

They come in various styles, colours and designs, but the real key is functionality. Portable scooters are more compact, can be used on the pavement and are ideal for making short trips and carrying light shopping. They are designed to be folded down or disassembled into smaller sections very easily so that they can be stored in a car.

Standard scooters are more robust and can handle heavier loads and longer distances.

The heaviest models are road-based with an 8mph speed restriction and although no special licence is required, they must be registered with the DVLA. Some of the larger models have additional features to offer a more comfortable ride, including better seating and suspension systems.

However, it is often inside their own homes that older or disabled people can be faced with some of the most of the frustrating mobility problems.

Reading, browsing the web from a laptop and doing the crossword are simple pleasures, best enjoyed in an armchair. But aching joints and other physical problems can spoil them by making it difficult to get in and out of your chair.

One solution is a motorised riser or recliner chair. The most basic and least expensive models use a single motor which delivers a simple ‘up and down’ motion to ease you in and out of your seat.

Recliners with a dual motor offer the same action but also allow the backrest and footrest to be positioned separately, offering a wider range of seating options.

Bathing can also present difficulties for older people and those with restricted mobility, who may want to look at ways of making their bath or shower more accessible. Options include removing the bath and replacing it with a level-access shower tray or installing a walk-in bath, with a side-door entry, which make the process of showering or taking a bath safer and more relaxing.

For many people kitchen is the focal point of their home and cooking is one of life’s great pleasures. Mobility issues arising from arthritis and poor hand and muscle strength can be overcome thanks to a range of clever kitchen gadgets and devices.

These include non-slip chopping boards with metal spikes for securing bread, meat or vegetables, and electric peelers and openers that can be wall-mounted or fixed to the worktop and operated easily with one hand.

Stairs

Getting up and down stairs can also become difficult for older people and those with restricted mobility. Moving to a bungalow or ground-floor apartment may be an option but you can avoid this by converting your existing home and installing a stairlift. It is not the most glamorous feature of your home but it will take the effort and some of the potential hazards out of using the stairs.

There are several types, including indoor and outdoor models, and options for curved and straight staircases. The shape and size of your stairs will determine which type can be installed in your home, but you must ensure it meets your requirements. Perch stairlifts, for example, are designed for people who have difficulty bending their knees. Like many other mobility aids, a stairlift can make all the difference to living an independent and active life.

INFORMATION:

• Living Made Easy 0845 130 9177 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              0845 130 9177      end_of_the_skype_highlighting / www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk
• Help My Mobility 0845 838 7085 / www.help-my-mobility.co.uk
• TGA Mobility 01787 882244 / www.tga-electric.com
• Aquability 0800 316 0110 / www.aquability.com
• Easy Care Mobility 01322 339992 / www.easycaremobility.co.uk

WITHIN THE CIRCLE

THE mobility aid market is booming. It is packed with the latest products, with no shortage of firms offering to help them, so prospective customers should shop wisely and choose carefully.

Be sure to buy from reputable firms. Word of mouth recommendations from someone who has bought and used a particular product or company, and is satisfied with the quality and service, are well worth having.

If a mobility company has premises, go along and try the product before you buy. If they don’t ask for a home demonstration, so you can be sure that the reclining chair or bed you want will fit in your home and that you can operate it.

Visit your local Disabled Living Centre. There are more than 50 throughout the UK, led by Assist UK, with a display of mobility products and equipment that you can try and a team of professional staff to offer information and advice.

INFORMATION: Assist UK 0160 23808776 / www.assist-uk.org