Mobility impairment is defined as a category of disability that includes people with varying types of physical disabilities. This type of disability includes upper or lower limb loss or disability, manual dexterity and disability in co-ordination with different organs of the body.
Disability in mobility can either be a congenital or acquired with age problem. This problem could also be the consequence of disease. People who have a broken skeletal structure also fall into this category of disability. Persons with physical impairment disabilities often use assistive devices or mobility aids such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs and artificial limbs to obtain mobility.
The physical disability the person experiences may be either congenital, or a result of injury, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, amputation, multiple sclerosis, pulmonary disease, heart disease or other reasons. Some persons may experience non-visible disabilities that may include respiratory disorders, epilepsy, or other conditions.
Physical and mobility impairment is defined as a limitation in independent, purposeful physical movement of the body or of one or more extremities. According to them, the alteration in the person’s mobility may be either temporary, or more permanent. Most of the diseases and rehabilitative states involved in physical and mobility impairments do involve a degree of immobility. These are often associated with things such as leg fractures, strokes, morbid obesity, trauma, and Multiple Sclerosis, for example.
SmartButton has been designed for people with Mobility Issues and assists them when using pedestrian crossings.
Crossings for people on mobility scooters, wheelchairs and using assisted walking aids (zimmer frames etc) can be extremely awkward and in some cases dangerous to manoeuvre into a position to be able to press the traffic light button safely.
A SmartButton fitted onto the handlebar of a mobility scooter, wheelchair or walking frame makes the push button on a traffic light unit redundant on pedestrian Crossings. The user merely rides/walks to the kerb edge of the crossing and presses their SmartButton.
Simply pressing the button with the thumb initiates the traffic light change sequence on a pedestrian crossing fitted with Our SmartSwitch system.
No more frustration or embarrassment trying to move into a position to press a crossing button.
The SmartButton can also open electric doors fitted with SmartSwitch Lite which enhances peoples lives and makes life easier for them.
The term, ‘Cerebral Palsy,’ is used to describe a group of chronic conditions which affect body movements and muscle coordination in persons affected with the disorder. Cerebral Palsy causes damage to one or more particular areas of the person’s brain, and usually occurs during fetal development or before, during, or shortly after birth; although the damage may be done during infancy.
Cerebral Palsy disorders are not caused by problems in the person’s nerves or muscles. Faults in the development or damage to motor areas in the person’s brain disrupt their brain’s ability to control posture and movement. Cerebral Palsy is not progressive, although secondary conditions like muscle spasticity may develop that can worsen or improve over time, or may remain the same.
Cerebral Palsy is not a communicable disease. Cerebral Palsy is not curable, but therapy and training may help to improve function.
Spina Bifida is a form of neural tube defect. Neural tube defects involve incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or their protective coverings, which are caused by the failure of the fetus’ spine to close properly during the first month of pregnancy.
Children who are born with Spina Bifida may have an open lesion on their spine where notable damage to their nerves and spinal cord has happened. The nerve damage is permanent, although the opening in the spine can be surgically repaired.
The damage to the child’s nerves may result in various degrees of paralysis in their lower limbs. In cases where there is no lesion present there is still the potential for the presence of improperly formed or missing vertebrae, as well as nerve damage. Persons with Spina Bifida often experience a form of learning disability in conjunction with physical and mobility disability.
There is currently no cure for Spina Bifida; the nerve tissue can neither be repaired nor replaced. Treatment for Spina Bifida may involve surgery, physiotherapy, and medication. Many persons with Spina Bifida use assistive devices including braces, crutches, or wheelchairs.
‘Muscular Dystrophy,’ describes a group of genetic diseases which are characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the person’s skeletal or voluntary muscles used to control movement. Heart muscles, as well as some additional, involuntary muscles, are affected by some forms of Muscular Dystrophy.
Some forms of Muscular Dystrophy affect a person’s organs as well. Duchenne is the form of Muscular Dystrophy that affects children most commonly; Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy is the most common form of the disease affecting adult populations.
There are some forms of Muscular Dystrophy that appear in infancy or childhood, while other forms may not appear until a person reaches middle age or older.
Muscular Dystrophy has the potential to affect persons of any age group. There is no specific treatment for any form of Muscular Dystrophy. Both Physical therapy and corrective orthopaedic surgery may improve a person’s quality of life.
As people get older, you may find that their mobility begins to suffer. This is very common, and in most cases it is simply one of the problems of ageing. However, it can cause enormous distress.
Even apparently minor difficulties for your elderly relative can have a large effect on their life. For example, they may not be able to go out and see their friends, or they may find shopping for their groceries too difficult. It can have social and psychological effects, and can even lead to depression.
Mobility issues can also indicate more serious health problems, so it is always important to look out for the problem signs and take steps to solve issues promptly.
There are a number of signs that you can look out for that could indicate the start of a problem in your elderly relative. These include:
Potential problems could also be more subtle, such as a lowering of their personal hygiene standards, or you may notice the house becoming less tidy as they are less able to clean it properly.
One of the most serious signs is a fall. The risk of falls goes up as people age, and although a fall could well just be an accident, it could also be a sign that they are having difficulty moving properly. Falls can also lead to further mobility problems as they cause injuries.
Once it is clear that your elderly relative’s mobility is being affected, you may want to start looking for ways to help them cope.
Firstly, consider investing in mobility aids that they can use around the home. These could include small devices like walking sticks, support bars on the stairs or grab bars in the bath and shower. It could also involve larger devices like chairlifts.
You may also want to help to remove clutter in the home, fasten carpets and rugs securely and improve the lighting, all of which can help to make it easier for your elderly relative to get around the home. You could also make more significant changes around the home, such as changing the entrance stairs into a ramp or fitting a raised toilet.
care. This does not necessarily mean a care home, but perhaps a care worker who can help your relative to be more independent in their own home.