Home care for a person with reduced mobility

There are more and more of them, people with reduced mobility, who want to be able to stay at home rather than moving to a center or to suitable accommodation. Fortunately, another alternative is available to them: adapting their home to their new needs.

More and more organizations, services and programs make it possible to maintain a physically limited person at home.

Home support

The key to simplifying home care is to plan it. It’s important to ask yourself the right questions and think about the necessities that come with this decision:

Determine how you want to live and what lifestyle you want to lead.
Invest in adapting your home. Don’t forget to consider the neighborhood you live or will live in.
Think about your social life. Stay close to those you care about.
Favor your safety.
Plan to have access to relevant information and institutions.

Planning your lifestyle

Consult a professional and assess your needs together. Determine the pace of life you want to lead and prepare accordingly. Several pieces of information are relevant and worth knowing such as:

Programs and grants that could be useful to you
Applicable tax deductions
Interesting savings programs
The financial plan to be developed for your situation

Plan ahead, take into account the unexpected that could arise in the event of the sudden onset of a chronic illness or disability. Make sure you have the resources to deal with it.

Adapting your home

Many adaptations are possible to make your home as practical and accessible as possible. Nevertheless, before investing in modifying your home, it may be wise to consider a few aspects:

Is there a health and/or social services center or hospital near your home?
Are home support services available in your area?
Are you considering downsizing your home?
Are there businesses such as a pharmacy and a supermarket near where you will be living? If so, find out if these businesses offer a delivery service.
Is there any transportation service you could access if you eventually choose not to renew your driver’s license?

When you have made your choice on the home that suits you, consider having it adapted to the realities of a person with reduced mobility. You could, for example, have the door frames widened to allow access with a walker or a wheelchair, modify the access to the shower, install a stair lift or an elevator. Many products and services are ideal for making your home accessible and safe. Remember, the goal is to keep you as independent and comfortable as possible.

Find out about the grant programs and tax deductions available to you. Also note that some specialty products are non-taxable.

Stay active and surrounded

All health professionals will tell you: maintaining ties with your loved ones and with your community provides a definite advantage, because they promote health, physical, moral and emotional well-being.

You can maintain these ties in a variety of ways, including going out for coffee or dining with loved ones, signing up for a cultural activity, attending general interest classes, signing up for community activities, by being volunteers, etc. The important thing is to foster relationships with the people around you while planning how you can continue to engage with these people.

Favor your security

Your safety is a priority. It promotes your well-being and health. By using equipment adapted to your needs, you reduce the risk of falls or incorrect maneuvers which can be dangerous. You can also ask for assistance from the staff of the various support services, whether public or private. These services adapt well to the needs of their clientele. They will provide you with helpful and accommodating care. Some services can be free while others, on the contrary, are chargeable. Note that not everyone is eligible for the same levels of assistance, as it all depends on your needs and your income. Your community seniors’ organization or local health care provider can help you determine what types of care and services you are eligible for.

Access information

Surround yourself with people you trust and who will be competent in their field of activity. Have resource people to contact in case of need, so you will not find yourself helpless in the face of a possible unforeseen event.

You can, among other places, find more information at the following address: www.aines.gc .ca