How to remain active with a disability over the winter
Winter is a season in which taking care of health becomes a matter of concern especially for people who are suffering from some or the other disability. They have to take extra care of their body during cold weather. Limited sensory ability is a result of some disabling conditions which may also affect the body’s ability to retain or maintain heat. In crisp, the biggest concern is to keep your body warm when you are stepping out in chilling weather. This blog will give you some tips on how to take care of your health in cold weather with a physical disability.
Dress to stay warm:
Instead of single layered clothing, wear multiple layers as it will help maintaining heat in your body. Wrap a scarf or a stole around your neck covering ears, wear a winter hat, two pairs of socks and lined boots. Wearing thermal gloves under your mittens is a good idea for keeping your hands warm.
If you use wheelchair:
Cover your legs with a blanket tucking it in from all sides underneath yourself. This will help maintaining body heat. Those who use wheelchair can buy pneumatic tires which will provide a better traction. Dirt bicycle tires are another alternative. Keep the ramps clear using clay cat litter or table salt. Rock salt can make the surface slippery and even poisonous for any assistance animal. Shake off the ice and debris from your wheelchair tires after removing them and then place them in your vehicle. As soon as you return home, wipe down the metal surface of your walker, tire rims of wheelchair etc to protect them from rust.
Wheelchair users have to be careful while traveling through snow in case they are not accustomed to strenuous or heavy wheeling. This is because any extra exertion may lead to heart failure or stroke. Snow can also stick to the surfaces of wheelchair, walker, canes and forearm cuffs. To avoid slipping and to retain heat in your hands wear gripper driving gloves.
Additional tips:
- If you have a visual disability or suffer from blindness, keep a Braille or talking clock or a time piece with large print and extra batteries
- If you have an assistance animal, keep in mind its needs also. (e.g, keeping it warm, protecting from hypothermia, transportation, temporary relocation etc)
- Those who consume home delivered meals must reserve a stock of nonperishable packaged food at home. This will help in case there is any suspension in deliveries due to emergencies
