AT Home with Dr Chris Steele - September 2011 - (Page 151)

| and finally| on the Move staying active is key to being happy in old age t here are a host of conditions that can affect your mobility from arthritis to Parkinson’s disease – and sometimes, it’s just the turning clogs of old age. But it’s not only the elderly who require help with everyday movement, so if you’re concerned that your joints aren’t what they used to be or you’ve recently had a bad fall, there are people and devices to help you continue with your day-to-day life. Experiencing a stroke or having a fall can prove debilitating and could mean anything from a slight influence on your mobility to leaving you on bed rest for an extended period of time. and so, staying as mobile and as active as possible – even when recovering – is crucial for keeping your joints healthy and your muscles exercised. Occupational therapists can help in these situations: their responsibility is to ensure you can function as normally as possible in your everyday environment and activities. as well as improving your skills and abilities (hand strength, for example), they can put provisions in place to adapt your home – or workplace – so it is suitable for your needs, for this they require a little help from technology… Keep active Mobility aids specialist scooter Words: Jessie bland | photograph: shutterstock Unlike wheelchairs, scooters are designed for those who struggle to stay mobile for long periods of time, and therefore require support. if you struggle walking around the shops for instance, a mobility scooter may help ease any pain or discomfort your mobility problems cause, while still enabling you to take a look around when you wish. you to ascend the steps with little movement. Stairlifts are electricity powered and steadily raise you from one floor to the next – ideal for wheelchair users or those who struggle climbing stairs. bath lifts Getting in and out of the bath can prove very tricky if you have mobility problems, but a bath lift – essentially a chair positioned within the bath – allows you to lower yourself in and out with ease, avoiding nasty slides and slips. dr chris says... ‘It’s stairlift (chairlift) These are ergonomically designed chairs that are fixed to your staircase at home (or any location) to allow Wheelchairs if your lack of mobility prevent you from walking altogether or if you’re too weak to stand on two so important for people in their later years to keep active. If not, you’ll put yourself at risk of serious injury.’ feet, wheelchairs are the perfect mobility aid. depending upon the strength of your arms, a traditional push wheelchair might be suitable or, instead, an electric wheelchair with hand controls may be more effective. you can even get different styles of chairs depending on your lifestyle. for example, if you enjoy being in the outdoors, all-terrain wheelchairs are perfect. Recliners For those who find sitting back in a chair tricky, recliners – which raise up to support you while sitting and then lean back when you’re sat – can take the difficulty out of a relaxing sit-down, while taking the pressure off your feet, too. www.athomemagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2012 | 151 http://www.athomemagazine.co.uk

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AT Home with Dr Chris Steele - September 2011

EDITOR’S LETTER
A DOCTOR’S WELCOME
NEWS UPFRONT
SAVE THE DATE
A SENSITIVE TOUCH
UNDER THE HOOD
CELEBRITY HEALTH SECRETS
THE BIG INTERVIEW
TV HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT A MARVEL
OUCH, THAT HURTS
A HAPPY HEART
WAVE GOODBYE TO SMOKING
EYE SEE!
AN EARFUL
THE LOWDOWN ON DIABETES
HARD TO STOMACH?
GUT REACTION
ARTHRITIC AND UNDER 30?
SHRINK ME
FIGHTING FIT
BREAST CANCER
BOOST YOUR BONE DENSITY
TRYING TO CONCEIVE?
VEIN HOPE
ON THE BALL
CAN HE BREAK HIS PENIS?
TIME FOR A TOP UP
ULTRA SWIFT SUPPERS
SO, YOU THINK YOU’RE EATING RIGHT?
GLUTEN-FREE FOODS ON TEST
AGE-PROOF YOUR FACE
PEARLY WHITES
COSMETIC SURGERY
COMING SOON
TOP HEALTH TIPS
WORK WELLNESS
DON’T SWEAT IT
PLANNING AHEAD
STAYING MOBILE
LAST WORD

AT Home with Dr Chris Steele - September 2011