While it can be hard to quantify the precise number of disabled people in the UK, there are approximately 14.1 million people living with physical and mental impairments on these shores.
Of course, the nature of disability can vary wildly, with many physical illnesses and impairments contributing to reduced mobility and restrictions in terms of how easily individuals can get around their homes.
Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to cope with limited or diminishing mobility, including the following:
Invest in a Profile Bed
If you struggle with your mobility but reside at home, it’s imperative that you identify practical and everyday fixtures that enable you to live safely while maintaining as much of your independence as possible.
Take profile beds, for example, which are adjustable and have been designed specifically to aid people with limited mobility.
Profile beds are split into sections that can be seamlessly moved together or separately, enabling them to be adjusted according to the precise dimensions and needs of the end-user.
Make no mistake; profile beds definitely improve the user’s comfort and help create a bedroom that’s truly fit for purpose, contributing to a more positive nights’ sleep in the process.
Embracing Smart Home Technology
We’re all aware of smart technology, with this broad term referring to self-monitoring, analysis, and reporting devices that created more connected and intuitive environments.
Such technology has proved to be particularly valuable in the home, with a recent P&S Intelligence report suggesting that the global smart home care market is forecast to reach $96.2 billion by 2030.
To provide some context, this market was valued at just $8.7 billion in 2019, with this significant growth partially fuelled by an exponential increase in the number of people aged 60 and over.
The modern home can include a myriad of smart care devices, including health-related technology (such as trackers and monitors), sensors and entities that can deliver real-time updates to concerned family members and carers while simultaneously providing much-needed and potentially life-saving safeguards.
Consider Live-in Care
In instances where your mobility has worsened or you’re struggling to complete everyday tasks, you may be best served by considering so-called ”live-in” care.
According to studies, this is actually comparable to the cost of living in a care home, while it enables patients to remain in their place of residence while benefiting from high quality and round-the-clock care.
You may also be entitled to at least some financial help when investing in live-in care, in the form of a fixed allowance and PIP (Personal Independence Payment).
This may not be the ideal or most appealing option for people, but it may be the best idea for those whose mobility is becoming severely restricted progressively and over an extended period of time.