Whilst we may not want to
admit it time creeps up on all of us. Not only do the years pass us
by and we grow old but those around us do too. Many of us fondly
think of ourselves as our younger self - it only seems like yesterday
that I was 21 and carefree - and not notice how many years have
actually passed since that magic number. As well as forgetting how
much we have actually aged it is often
Over the years I have
witnessed and helped care for a number of my loved ones as they
suffered from all types of illnesses and disabilities.
I sadly watched my
great-great-great aunt Nansi disappear thanks to Alzheimer’s.
Heartbreakingly I watched my beloved Mamgu (grandmother) bravely
fight a battle with cancer that she sadly could not win.
I have seen my mum
struggle with afflictions galore including spinal injury, arthritis,
and fibromyalgia to name but a few, that have made her life a daily
struggle.
I have also witnessed my
Dadcu (granddad) suffer from aches and pains leftover from a hard
life working on the farm which has seen him have two hip replacements
and a shoulder replacement.
As we are a close-knit
family who believe in caring for our own (but support and welcome
specialist care when it is needed and suitable such as home carers
and care homes) when one of us is ill or struggling with a disability
we all rally around.
Having witnessed family
helping family and going that extra mile to help and support, I have
had a strong ethos of caring for my loved ones from a young age. This
passion for helping loved ones has meant that over the years I have
take on caring for family members when needed. When my Dadcu had his
hip and shoulder replacements I cared for and supported him when he
was home from hospital and recovering.
I have seen how
illnesses, disabilities and old age can affect daily life for people
and make it harder for them to be independent. With that in mind I
wanted to share a few thoughts on aids and ways that we have found
beneficial for making the home safer and more comfortable for elderly
people and people who are suffering from an illness or disability.
* If they find getting in
and out of bed without help difficult or struggle to get a
comfortable night's sleep consider getting a new bed that suits their
needs. For example an adjustable bed may help them get in and out of
bed easier. Likewise adjustable chairs can also make life easier and
more comfortable for those who struggle with normal sofas and chairs.
We got my Dadcu one when he started to struggle with his hip pain and
could not safely and comfortably get seated on his normal living room
furniture and it was worth its weight in gold post-op as he could
adjust the height to get in and out of it easily.
* Help your loved one
keep a level of independence and support them to be able to manage
their personal care and hygiene in a safer environment by using
bathroom aids. Consider fitting aids such as handrails for support
and safety. If they struggle to use a bath or shower, perhaps they
cannot get into or out of the bath safely and without being in pain,
or they struggle to safely use their conventional shower consider
looking at renovating the bathroom with a bath or shower that suits
their needs. Another option can be a wet room that allows them to
deal with their personal hygiene needs in a safe environment - we did
so with my Dadcu and the wet room cost was worth every penny to make
his life easier and safer.
* If your loved one lives
in a house with stairs and whether due to illness, disability or old
age finds getting up and down stairs a challenge and hazard consider
looking at getting a stair-lift. My late great-great-great aunt Nansi
had one fitted after a nasty fall down the stairs and once she could
safely zip up and down the stairs on it it was a relief to know she
was that little bit safer in her home.
What aids have you found
helpful for making the home safer and easier for the elderly or
people suffering from an illness or disability?
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