Getting out to visit Family Safely during the Holidays!
The holidays are here, and so is the stress that comes with them. This time of the year can be a wonderful means to connect with loved ones, enjoy delicious food, and perform traditions generations old. A time when we gather with the ones we care about, to appreciate one another, and celebrate. However, the stress that comes with the season can be different depending on the person.
While some may worry about the perfect gift to give their loved ones or preparing and cooking food, those with mobility challenges may worry about hardships that are normally taken for granted. People with mobility issues may perceive it’s easier to stay at home than endure an entire complicated journey just for dinner.
Often, people experiencing issues with mobility will be left out of holiday gatherings. Exclusions can create mental health struggles, causing a person to feel isolated, embarrassed, and resent a time that should be celebrated. Normally, these exclusions are not malicious and can be attributed to the fear of not knowing how to navigate challenges in alternative environments, for example, having to eat at another person’s home, transportingin and out of cars, or maneuvering around unfamiliar locations and terrain.
Fortunately, most of the concerns mentioned previously now have proactive solutions and noninvasive tools that would allow the inclusion of all loved ones. If a person and their loved ones are prepared ahead of time with such devices, this will help make the transition smooth and safe when visiting family outside the home.
Every Veteran’s situation is different and should be accounted for on a case-by-case basis, but a few items that may be valuable to safely mobilize a Veteran and make for stress-free holiday traveling are further outlined below.
Veterans experiencing limited mobility will find the Automobility Solution especially useful for getting in and out of an automobile with less stress and strain, making car transfers both easier and safer. The Automobility Solution by Standers is universal and durable with a 350-pound weight capacity and allows Veterans to transfer to and from a vehicle easier, without difficult twisting or straining.
This is a combination item that includes two helpful car transfer aids.
The Swivel Seat Cushionhas a soft, quilted, padding cover and a non-slip base that keeps the cushion in place. This seat rotates 360 degrees,to help pivot legs around to enter and exit the vehicle.
Also included is a Handy Bar that has an ergonomic grip to provide stability to assist with sit to stand from any low-to-the-ground vehicles, SUVs and trucks.The handle inserts into the U-Shaped striker plate on the car door frame, providing leverage for pushing in and out of your vehicle.
Veterans having trouble maneuvering in and out of cars, which is the basis behind their exclusion in joining the holiday fun, can feel confident in the device to transport them to their desired location.
Veterans using an assistive device might be more apprehensive about leaving home. Traditional walkers are bulky and heavy, making it hard for the Veteran or a caregiver to put the device into the car. Veterans will sadly opt to not go out due to the burden of their walking device. Even worse, a person experiencing limited mobility may decide to not bring a walker all together, which can ultimatelyincrease stress and create dangerous conditions where a fall can occur.
The safe functional mobility solution would be to use The EZ Fold & Go Walker from Stander. This rolling walker is lightweight and portable. Weighing less than 8 lbs.,and supporting up to 400 lbs. users, this device is the solution to mobility struggles.With the lift of a finger, it folds 4x smaller than your average walker to quickly store in your car, the overhead compartment of an airplane, or discreetly by your side when not in use. Unlike traditional walkers, the Fold & Go can fit through narrow doorways and tight spaces; making it ideal for indoor use at home or navigating restaurants. It can adjust to fit anyone from 4’10” to 6’8”; and for extra convenience, it comes with an organizer pouch for personal items.
This assistive device is a perfect, simple, and lightweight addition for a Veteran to own for safe and stress-free navigation when traveling. Take control of your walker, do not allow weight and transferability to dominate your ability to travel this holiday season.
If a Veteran needs minimal assistance with transfers or steady assistance with ambulation, it is a good idea to consider having a gait belt, also known as a transfer belt. A caregiver or family member can secure the gait belt around the Veteran’s waist, then grab the belt to steady the Veteran as they move around together.
When used properly, a gait belt reduces the chance that a Veteran might accidentally fall, as well as reduce fear and injury between caregiver or family member. Gait belts are usually a few inches wide and vary in lengths. The belts are made from canvas, nylon or leather with a buckle at the end and optionally loops for holding.
There are two main types of gait belts: a standard design with a metal buckle featuring loops and teeth and a quick-release design featuring a plastic buckle that snaps in place. It is a simple but incredibly effective tool for helping Veterans move around and retain as much of their own mobility as possible.
It’s important to note that a gait belt should not be used to lift or move Veterans outright. If the Veteran is not able to partially move themselves, an alternative and safer method must be used. Lastly, use caution when using a gait belt with a Veteran, especially if they are recovering from a condition that affects the abdomen or lower back region, as well as any possible apparatus near the abdominal area.
There are times when Veterans have difficulty transferring from one surface to another and require the assistance of a family member or caregiver. This could be especially challenging when a Veteran is outside their home during the holidays and not in their normal, comfortable environment. In these instances, it would be beneficial to consider the ETAC Molift Raiser Pro.
The device offers Veterans a safe and comfortable way to transfer from sitting to standing as well as, ensure safety with short-distance transfers such as between chairs, wheelchairs, and toilets. The ETAC Molift Raiser Pro is a manual lift that is designed to provide active standing, safe transfers to the Veteran, and at the same time the best possible ergonomic conditions for the caregiver.
Ever worry that a Veteran is, too unsteady to ambulate with one caregiver or too heavy to lift and to stand alone, or maybe that they would not be able to make it in time or safely to the bathroom? Well, the ETAC Molift Raiser Pro is stable and can turn within its own radius making it easier to maneuver, and is ideal in confined spaces, for instance in toilets.
The Etac Molift Raiser Pro offers Veterans a safe and comfortable way to transfer from sitting to standing and is suitable for use with a single caregiver. The handle features a five-point star design that provides many grip positions for the user to place their hands comfortably and securely. The unique leg support is designed to be easily adjusted with one hand. Similarly, wheel locks (right or left) will lock both wheels simultaneously, providing a safe braking solution in space limited environments.
The soft padded leg support improves comfort and is simple to adjust the height with only one hand. The base is designed with a low step on height making it easy for users to place their feet on the platform and is low enough to the ground that it fits under beds and wheelchairs. The handle comes off the base plate for easy storage and transport in a car, with no tools necessary for assembly.
Strap options for the Etac Molift Raiser Raiser Pro are available separately and are designed for different levels of Veteran capability. A safety strap or raiser belt easily hooks on to the front and wraps around the patient's back for increased safety, security, and stability. For Veterans who need a little help the strap with a sliding sleeve lets the caregiver pull them upward from a sitting position with ease and vise versa. Veterans with reduced arm reaching mobility can order the extended soft handles to provide an extended grip. The Etac Molift Raiser Pro provides Veterans with limited mobility and their caregivers a safe and easy way to transfer from sitting to standing.
When traveling outside the home for the holidays whether it be to a family or friends house, restaurant, festive show,or even to a vacation destination, a transport chair is an ideal choice to allow a Veteran with mobility challenges to go places they otherwise could not. Some Veterans may have decreased balance and endurance with ambulation and only can tolerate walking short distances. A transport chair can provide a safe and temporary solution to allow a Veteran to continue to participate in holiday celebrations with freedom.
Having a transport chair has great value, they are inexpensive and lightweight, which may benefit Veterans who have a caregiver who cannot lift or maneuver a heavier wheelchair. They are designed to travel and can be folded, stored in the trunk of a car easily. Transport chairs are compact, with a slim profile and do not have large wheels for self-propulsion. Instead, a family member or caregiver pushes the chairfor the Veteran to gain access to certain areas of an event.
It is essential to recognize that every individual, regardless of their mobility abilities, deserves the opportunity to participate in holiday festivities. By embracing inclusive attitudes and utilizing adaptive products like those mentioned, people can take a proactive approach to ensure that holiday celebrations are accessible and enjoyable for everyone. This commitment to inclusivity not only enhances the overall holiday experience but also fosters a sense of belonging and joy for individuals of all mobility levels, fostering a truly inclusive and festive atmosphere for all.
The above products could be available to Veterans through their VA benefits and if they are interested in the products they need to discuss them with their VA Primary Care Physician, VA Occupational Therapist or VA Physical Therapist. The VA could also provide these products to Veterans by Medical pracitioners submitting the Request for Service Form 10-10172 and submit to the VA Community Care coordinator. If you have questions about any of the above products or any products on our website, please feel free inquire further information.
From the Pisces Family to yours, we hope you have a stress-free and happy holiday season with the ones you love.
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