Being in a wheelchair doesn’t have to be a bad thing, nor does it have to be depressing. However, it certainly can be hard for an older adult to adjust to. One way family caregivers can help them to better accept using a wheelchair is by personalizing the chair so that it matches the older adult’s needs and style. Uncertain just how to personalize your older family member’s wheelchair? Here are some ideas your loved one might like.
#1: Paint It
Caregivers can add a little style to an older adult’s wheelchair by giving it a fresh coat of paint. It might be possible for caregivers to paint the chair themselves. However, you can also find professionals who can do the job for you. There are a lot of options! You can choose from a wide variety of colors, so the older adult can have a chair in their favorite color. There are also different finishes available, even ones with sparkle!
#2: Make or Purchase a Seat Cushion
A seat cushion can make the wheelchair more comfortable for the older adult, which is important since they may spend a great deal of their day in it. Caregivers can help the senior to purchase one from a store or online. Or, if the caregiver is handy, they may be able to sew the cushion themselves. By hand making the cushion, the older adult can pick the fabric, allowing them to have a cushion that matches their style.
#3: Make Wheel Covers
Wheel covers are easy to make using some elastic and fabric. They slip on over the wheels, protecting floors from wear and tear as well as dirt from the wheels. Again, the older adult can choose fabric they like. They might even have multiple sets of wheel covers and some just for holidays.
#4: Add Ribbon
Lace some colorful ribbons through the spokes of the wheels in interesting designs. The nice thing about doing something like this is that the ribbons can be easily changed, allowing the older adult to try something new now and then.
#5: Use Stickers
Your aging relative might enjoy decorating the chair with stickers. They might choose a bumper sticker to put on the back. Or, they could make the chair a surface for collecting stickers. This can both personalize the chair and give grandchildren something to be involved in as they may enjoy finding new stickers for their grandparent’s chair.
Sources
https://www.amsvans.com/blog/how-to-accessorize-your-wheelchair-with-little-to-no-money/
https://nmeda.com/customize-your-own-wheelchair/
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED-ONE ARE CONSIDERING CAREGIVERS IN CONCORD, NC, PLEASE CALL THE CARING STAFF AT HOME HELPERS HOME CARE. WE SERVE CLIENTS IN MOORESVILLE, STATESVILLE, DAVIDSON, CORNELIUS, HUNTERSVILLE, DENVER, CONCORD, KANNAPOLIS, AND THE CHARLOTTE METRO AREA. CALL TODAY: (704) 909-7958.