I’ve mentioned before that we have a few elderly family members for whom mobility is a big concern. My grandfather can no longer go upstairs and has carers come in whereas my grandmother can just about make it upstairs on a day to day basis but she is struggling more and more every day. Steve’s parents are both disabled and although my mum is yet to turn 60, she’s had problems with her legs and ankles for quite some time now and it is getting quite concerning how much her mobility is starting to be affected. As you can see, mobility and accessibility are very important to me.
When my father was alive, he also struggled with his mobility after having one of his big toes amputated. It really affected his balance and since he was already elderly with problems with his leg, it made it ten times worse. Bathing was also an issue as there is only a bath at my parents which he could no longer step in or out of. We’d been looking at walk in shower cubicles to see if that would be a better option for him and to help him retain some of his independence – my father was a thoroughly stubborn and independent man! I love that Age UK have partnered with Handicare to come up with a range of accessible walk in baths and walk in showers as Age UK Mobility. They are a charity I wholeheartedly support thanks to their care and concern for older people in this country.
I used to worry about him a lot when he was home alone and my mum was at work due to his unsteadiness – he had a few falls downstairs whilst she was out. Can you imagine if he had tried to bathe and fallen? Bathrooms are ever so dangerous so it is so important to make adjustments to make people’s lives easier and feel better about themselves.
With my grandparents now being much less mobile than a few years ago and both my in laws being disabled, it is definitely something we are thinking about once again. Steve’s parents are about to move up the country and I believe they are planning on completely redoing their bathroom to make it much more accessible for everyone. I’ve been speaking to my mum about perhaps seeing if my grandparents can have their bathroom sorted. Like my parents, they only have a bath and yet again, neither of them can get in and out of it. That isn’t too much of a problem for my grandad who has carers who clean him but my grandmother needs to be able to wash herself – and like my Dad, is also fiercely independent and doesn’t like to rely on others.
Of course there are other adjustments that may need to be made around their homes. My grandparents already have a stairlift and some rails in the bathroom. This is definitely something we need to look into – as my mum gets a little older, I am starting to worry more and more about her and am thinking about what adjustments she might need to make.
Have you or family members made adjustments around your home/their home to make them more accessible?
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It’s a tough transition from child to adult to carer. My parents are aging and my mom can no longer have a bath as she cannot get out. So yes I’m glad for charities that provide walk in baths.
We’ve not yet made any adjustments but my mum has had numerous foot operations and struggles to walk so in time I expect we’d have to for her x
Until this happens, it is something you don’t think about. however, it is so important and being able to make the adjustments helps life on a daily basis xx
I remember when my grandmother started using a wheelchair, so much in their flat needed to be changed. It was 20 years ago, the wheelchairs back then were humongous, they wouldn’t fit anywhere. It affected the last decade of her life so much.
Wishing your family members health and happiness x
It is amazing how much difference little things can make around the home when you are infirm. I am hoping to get a wet room at some point as I struggle with even an over the bath shower now.
This post is very thought provoking, my parents are both in their 50s so still able to get around with any assistance etc but it has definitely made me think about the difficulties older people might face and how much of a big difference making small changes could really help!
Housing has a huge impact on life and quality of life. Accessibility for each individual, visitors, etc. Mobility and / or Health difficulties can occur at any age or stage of life. Flexibility / adaptability is worthwhile considering. Yet, it is often the case / situation/ circumstances that as people age :- Adaptations may well become necessary. We know to prepare for a growing /developing baby / child, lots of information given in advance via media, etc.
When it comes to accident / ill health / immobility / frailty not so much information, forward planning, assistance, etc. Meanwhile individual and family, etc trying to adjust to reduction in ability due to health decline. House :- Home. What to do? How? Impact on individual, family, etc. As individual with reduced ability really in need of nurturing / caring / kindness. Yet may have to deal with more stress / distress. House move, adaptions :- uncertainty, noise and / or inconvenience of work /s. Finances. Change /s. Not easy (as you mentioned individual keen to remain independent, stubborn, etc). Yet need is there. Many make do, or struggle for some time:- Unfortunately! Ideally needs would / should be met as they arise. Wet Room, good idea, and can work well.
Perhaps future housing will be built in a manner which aims to be life long :- Inclusive, easily adapted, flexible, etc. As house should mean Home :- Part of a Community, etc. Local facilities. Needs accommodated. As people live at home, some born at home, recuperate at home, some choose to die at home. So lifespan needs / requirements need to be considered. We need Disability Inclusiveness / acceptance.