9 portable living aids it could be worth investing in before you travel
As a disabled person, heading away on holiday can take a fair bit of planning. Every disabled person is different – you’ll have your own ideas about what you need to feel comfortable while travelling. Perhaps you have things that you use at home to aid you with your day-to-day living. There are now quite a few living aids available which are portable and specially designed to help make things a little bit easier if you decide to get away.
Portable commode
Getting caught short is no fun for anyone—and even more so if you find using a standard toilet tricky. Not everywhere offers accessible toilets, which isn’t just frustrating—it can also leave you anxious. So, a travel commode is one possible solution. They generally fold down pretty small and can fit into the boot of the car. Plus, it gives you an extra option at night if making it to the toilet in the dark is difficult.
Suction grab rail
Some accessible holiday properties now have grab rails fitted throughout – but that’s not the case everywhere. If you use grab rails in your home, you might find picking up a portable one useful. The suction cups help it grip any smooth, flat surface, with indicator lights that glow green when the rail is securely in place. It could be a good option in the bath or shower room, for example.
Pill reminders
If you take regular medication, it’s important you keep to your schedule when you’re away. It’s easy for things to slip your mind when you’re distracted having fun. You might find you’re sleeping in more or staying up later. There are various different pill reminders on the market. Some simply have labelled compartments so you can see whether you’ve taken the day’s medication. Others have timers and alarms that alert you when it’s time to take your tablets.
Handy bar
Hiring a wheelchair accessible vehicle gives you a great way to explore new places. If your mobility issues make getting yourself in and out of the WAV tricky, then a handy bar could be worth a look. It’s basically a portable handle that gives you something extra to grip when you’re pulling yourself into position. You slot it into the inner door latch on the door, where it clicks into place, giving you a safe and secure handle to help you keep your balance.
Rollator
A rollator is a walking support on wheels. It can be a help if you’re able to walk but have issues with your balance. It gives you a bit more stability and helps prevent you from falling when you’re walking. There are a couple of options you can go for. The 3-wheel model has a basket which helps carry your essentials. The 4-wheel model has a built-in seat giving you the option to sit and rest if you need to.
Cutlery
Standard cutlery can be a bit slim, making it tricky for some people to use it. But one of the great pleasures of getting away is being able to eat out. So, bringing your own cutlery with you could be a good shout. There are quite a few brands on the market now that offer cutlery that’s cleverly designed to offer thicker handles with better grips. It means you can get on with enjoying your meal without feeling anxious.
Foldable shower chair
If you’d like to get away to sunnier climes, then a portable shower chair is a great idea. After all, enjoying the hot weather means going to the beach and applying plenty of sunscreen. A refreshing shower at the end of a hot and sticky day is a must. But if you can’t stand well, or you have issues with balancing, then it may not be possible to stand under the shower. A portable chair lets you shower without worrying about slipping or falling. Most are adjustable, too, making it easy for you to sit comfortably with your feet on the floor.
Massage gun
If you live with chronic pain or muscular problems, the idea of going away might seem a bit daunting. All that sightseeing can put a strain on your body, leaving your muscles sore and tired. A small massage gun can be quite helpful for this. The gun-shaped device sends soothing pulses deep into the muscles, giving you a nice relaxing massage at the push of a button. It’s a nice thing to use either at the end of the day or during long journeys.
Hydro-flask
Just about the most important thing you can do when you’re out is stay hydrated – especially in warm weather. What we love about hydroflasks is that you can fill them before you go, throw a few ice cubes in the flask will keep your drink nice and cool. They’re leak-proof too so you can chuck it into your travel bag without worrying. Look out for the ones with nice grippy exteriors and long straws if you find it tricky to sip straight from the bottle.
If you’d like to book a short break or get away for a week, you can book a wheelchair accessible vehicle through us. Hiring a WAV is a great way to explore the UK on your own terms. Give us a call today on 0300 045 4505 or request a callback here, and we’ll tell you what’s available.
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