Patients who have suffered a permanent loss of mobility, as well as those whose movements may be restricted due to a long-term recovery process, are faced with many challenges. Access to the full range of available life and mobility-assistance devices that are currently available may alleviate much of the demand placed on care providers while ensuring that patients are able to enjoy greater comfort and an expanded range of options or opportunities. From a simple adjustable bed to the installation of an electric stair chair or lift, the following options serve to showcase some of the most essential and effective resources and options.
Adjustable Beds and Manual-Lift Devices
For total care patients and those suffering from more severe loss of mobility, just getting into or out of bed can become a major ordeal. Adjustable beds that may allow occupants to benefit from a more ergonomic series of motions or manual-lift devices that can allow even heavy-set patients to be moved and repositioned with far greater ease can be a terrific resource. Basic mobility and lift-assist devices can often make a critical difference in situations where existing care providers may be struggling to provide basic assistance.
Walkers, Scooters, and Wheelchairs
The loss of personal mobility and independence is a big issue for those who are faced with a long-term rehab process or a chronic illness. Many patients will be gratified to know that there are many different models of walkers that may prove effective for those who require more support than a simple cane may offer. Manual and electric wheelchairs may also be of benefit for those who are having difficulty navigating their surroundings. Power scooters are another option, one that may be far better suited for ensuring those with mobility impairments are able to cover longer distances with greater ease.
Wheelchair-equipped Vehicles
Having to transport wheelchairs and scooters as well as their occupants separately is often a very time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Passenger vans, trucks and even some models of cars that have been converted in ways that allow them to transport wheelchair-bound passengers more quickly and easily can be a terrific asset. Either arranging for a wheelchair-equipped vehicle to provide transport or investing in a conversion or new-vehicle purchase can ensure that long-term patients will be able to benefit from a greater range of options and opportunities.
Electric Stair Chairs and Lifts
Stairs can often be a significant obstacle, even for relatively-mobile patients who may only require a little assistance in order to accomplish their everyday routine. Lift chairs and equipment that may be able to hoist a patient seating in a wheelchair or scooter from one floor to the next can provide an ideal solution. Many patients faced with the prospect of a lengthy rehabilitation or ongoing medical issue are forced to make major changes to their lifestyle and surroundings that typically include moving their quarters to a more accessible floor or even relocating to a new residence. Electric lift equipment can help to minimize the potential disruption that long-term patients may expect to experience.
Future Innovations and New Resources
While today’s patients have access to a wider range of equipment options and resources than ever before, new technologies and solutions that may be just over the horizon promise to provide a wide range of new resources. Exoskeletons, Wheelchairs that allow patients to move about in a more natural standing position and future refinements made to existing lifts and scooters may make quite an impact. For long-term patients and those who suffer from a mobility impairment, the rapid growth of technological innovation and development may soon allow for a more comfortable and independent lifestyle than ever before.
