Getting Along in Inclement Weather If You're Disabled or Elderly
_ Snow or rain can be difficult
for anyone to get around in, but that can be especially true if you're disabled
or elderly. Snow or rain can make crutch tips slip, wheelchairs get stuck, and
just in general make life much more difficult than usual. Here are some
precautions you can take if you must be out in inclement weather.
Dress warmly
If, for example, you drive but it'll be a while before your driveway is going to be plowed out, dress warmly for your treks into and out of your house or if, for instance, you're on your way to work in the morning.
Especially in the winter in snowy climates, getting stuck outside can be a fact of life when the weather's particularly bad. So make sure you dress for the occasion with gloves, hat, and thick coat, just in case.
Keep a cell phone with you
If you get stuck when you're out, you can always call a friend, neighbor, etc., to come help you out. This will help you avoid situations where you might be stuck out in the cold for quite some time before someone sees you and comes to help.
Carry kitty litter and salt
Sounds funny, doesn't it? But just like kitty litter and salt can give you traction under the wheels of your car if you get stuck, it can do that with your wheelchair tires and crutch tips, too. Carry a small container of mixed rock salt (or table salt will do fine, too) and plain, (clean) clay kitty litter with you in your backpack or elsewhere.
Sprinkle it under your wheels or in front of your crutch tips if you get stuck or it's particularly slippery, to give yourself more traction as you go.
If you usually walk, sit if you can
If you usually walk on crutches or with some other type of assistance and your balance is unstable, use a wheelchair if you can during inclement weather. You're much less likely to fall and hurt yourself if you're sitting down -- even if it means getting stuck, as above.
Stock up and stay in
If you have to go to work every day, of course this is going to be less of a help, but if you work at home or if you're in a situation where you can stay in out of the bad weather when it happens, this is always going to be the best scenario.
Therefore, when you're out shopping and you know a storm is going to be coming in, stock up a little on the things you need so that you can stay in and weather it that way.
Frostbite is a concern
Finally, if you have limited sensation in feet, fingers, etc., make sure you keep a close watch out for frostbite and get to a doctor as soon as you can if you see symptoms of frostbite. It's not something to mess with and it can happen very easily, especially if you have been out in inclement weather for quite some time.
Take these few precautions and you should get through inclement weather with little to no trouble.
Dress warmly
If, for example, you drive but it'll be a while before your driveway is going to be plowed out, dress warmly for your treks into and out of your house or if, for instance, you're on your way to work in the morning.
Especially in the winter in snowy climates, getting stuck outside can be a fact of life when the weather's particularly bad. So make sure you dress for the occasion with gloves, hat, and thick coat, just in case.
Keep a cell phone with you
If you get stuck when you're out, you can always call a friend, neighbor, etc., to come help you out. This will help you avoid situations where you might be stuck out in the cold for quite some time before someone sees you and comes to help.
Carry kitty litter and salt
Sounds funny, doesn't it? But just like kitty litter and salt can give you traction under the wheels of your car if you get stuck, it can do that with your wheelchair tires and crutch tips, too. Carry a small container of mixed rock salt (or table salt will do fine, too) and plain, (clean) clay kitty litter with you in your backpack or elsewhere.
Sprinkle it under your wheels or in front of your crutch tips if you get stuck or it's particularly slippery, to give yourself more traction as you go.
If you usually walk, sit if you can
If you usually walk on crutches or with some other type of assistance and your balance is unstable, use a wheelchair if you can during inclement weather. You're much less likely to fall and hurt yourself if you're sitting down -- even if it means getting stuck, as above.
Stock up and stay in
If you have to go to work every day, of course this is going to be less of a help, but if you work at home or if you're in a situation where you can stay in out of the bad weather when it happens, this is always going to be the best scenario.
Therefore, when you're out shopping and you know a storm is going to be coming in, stock up a little on the things you need so that you can stay in and weather it that way.
Frostbite is a concern
Finally, if you have limited sensation in feet, fingers, etc., make sure you keep a close watch out for frostbite and get to a doctor as soon as you can if you see symptoms of frostbite. It's not something to mess with and it can happen very easily, especially if you have been out in inclement weather for quite some time.
Take these few precautions and you should get through inclement weather with little to no trouble.