Some medical issues can cause problems getting around the home easily. Most homes are not made for medical conditions and when an injury or illness happens, your loved one struggles with the day to day healing process. The sheer number of ways that a home can suddenly be difficult to navigate is plentiful. Today we have curated a list of the most popular struggles a family member or friend may be faced in the home, as well as solutions for overcoming them:

“Most homes are not made for

medical conditions and when an

injury or illness happens,

your loved one struggles with the

day to day healing process.”

Inability to Climb Stairs

There are lots of reasons why someone will struggle with stairs, even short ones! Perhaps Uncle Tommy fell and broke a bone in his leg? Maybe Cousin Jane had a stroke and now struggles with limited movement on one side of her body. Whatever the reason, if your home has more than one floor you could find yourself becoming the “gopher” for the patient or you could simplify your life by installing a chair lift. How to choose a stairlift is fairly simple. Take the measurements of your stairwell and provide the reason behind your purchase and a salesperson will find the right model to suit your needs. Installation is often easy and doesn’t take very long.  Before you know it, your friend or loved one can get a little taste of freedom to move about the house!  

Help! I Can’t Breathe!

Believe it or not, one of the most common problems in the home is the inability to sleep well. Snoring and sleep apnea (yes, they are two different things!) runs rampant and is often overlooked as being a real issue in the home. Why exactly can it be such an issue? Snorers and those with sleep apnea do not truly rest at night. Because of this, household accidents are more likely to happen due to excessive grogginess.

As a result, C-PAP machines and anti-snoring devices are needed to help the person achieve the healthiest of sleep. If you find yourself needing to nap often or falling asleep while doing things like driving or working, we recommend you contact your family physician immediately to determine what is going on.  

I Can’t Get into the Shower

There is nothing worse than struggling to be able to cleanse yourself in the shower or bath. Anyone who has suffered a major leg injury or a stroke can tell you that it’s truly a delight in being able to bathe yourself. Unfortunately, many bathrooms are a hazard to the handicap. Grab bars around toilets and in the shower can help people be able to sit or navigate their way into a shower/tub combo. If you are lucky enough to have a shower stall that requires no lifting of legs to get into, a shower chair is great for those that cannot stand for very long. A grab bar nearby is also helpful to avoid slipping on wet floors. 

Many folks of all ages have short-term injuries and long-term illnesses that challenge our routines. When an injury or illness occurs, the patient has to relearn simple tasks in order to feel like less of a burden and feel like they are making progress in their healing. We know that you love them dearly and want to make sure they are comfortable and part of that is empowering your loved one to do things on their own. Of course, you can be nearby just in case they need some real help. As always, develop a plan with their physician so that they don’t overdo themselves!

Do you have loved ones who need help getting around the house?

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