Top tips and advice to help you enjoy the holidays making memories and having a great time as a senior with mobility problems.
According to statistics released in 2017,one in five women and one in five men aged over 65 will suffer from physical disability within the next 30 years. As the population ages, frailty is more common, and so, it is more likely for all of us to know somebody with mobility problems.
Enjoying Christmas when you have mobility problems can be challenging, especially if it is your first Christmas with additional needs, even if you do have assisted living support. However, with the right planning and foresight, it can be just as memorable in all the right ways as any other festive period.
To inspire you, here are our 5 ways to enjoy the holiday season for seniors with mobility problems:
- Have Food In Your House, In Case You Can’t Get Out
If the weather gets particularly icy, you’re waiting for a mobility scooter repair or you’re avoiding busy shopping times, you will want to have food ready to eat in your house. From freezing batches of frozen soup, to holding tins of vegetables and complete meals in your cupboards, the more prepared you can be the better.
- Stay Warm
Staying warm is a real problem when you have mobility issues. Your hands might get cold holding onto your stick, your feet can get cold in your wheelchair. Staying warm is so important to keep your circulation going and help you avoid catching colds and getting ill. Invest in the following for a comfortable warm winter:
- Heating pads
- Mini hot water bottles/ wheat bags
- Easy to put on fleece lined boots
- Blankets
- Cosy jumpers
- Thermals
- Shop Online
Even in the most disabled friendly shops, shopping at Christmas can be very stressful. You could go out and shop early or at the most quiet times, or you could avoid the crowds altogether and shop from home. Shopping at home can be very effective, and you could even save money with online prices too.
- Look For Suitable Christmas Activities
Although there will be Christmas activities that may not be suitable for you, there are plenty that are. The best thing to do is to plan ahead to ensure your needs are catered for. Something as simple as letting the restaurant you’re having your school friend meet up with know to seat you in an area where there is wheelchair space could make the world of difference to your Christmas experience. There are also lots of festive activities on with people of a similar age where your needs will be catered for, and there will be fun things to do inclusive of your ability.
- Make Life Easier For Yourself
Perhaps a live-in carer could help you be more mobile, and help recommend home adaptations to make your life much easier day to day? Maybe you could benefit from some mobility aids that would help you get around independently or with assisted living support? Perhaps with the New Year approaching now is a good time to set yourself up with some changes to help you feel more independent and comfortable. Start by speaking to your GP, carer (if you have one) loved ones and friends to see what help is available to you at this time.
Take care of yourself and seek help that is available to you whether that is moving to sheltered accommodation, investing in home adaptations or getting a live-in carer. With the right planning and foresight, your Christmas can be wonderful, regardless of any mobility issues you may have.
