Spending a day at home alone, away from the noise and bustle of life is a gift. The quiet time gives you a chance to rejuvenate and plan your life. But what if you recently suffered a spinal cord injury and are in a wheelchair? How do you start to gain your independence and manage being on your own?
The thought of being home by yourself can be scary. The tips we share here will help you live a comfortable independent life after a spinal cord injury.
Practice Being Home Alone
Start by getting your doctor’s permission to spend time alone and use the time to do a few chores. It is important that your caregiver is in the house with you as you practice the chores. However, for this practice session you will not seek their help in any way. Start the day the way you always would and attend to all simple chores. Here is a list of simple chores you can do:
- Prepare your meals
- Clean utensils
- Make calls and answer the phone
- Answer the doorbell
- Feed your pet
- Shower if you can and get dressed
At the end of the day assess your achievement and see what you can add to the list above. Avoid any chores that may exert pressure on your spinal cord.
Plan Ahead
Take inventory and see what you will need on the day you are home alone. Check whether there is food in the fridge that you can prepare. Make sure the bathroom is accessible. Also confirm that utensils and medication are within reach. Work with your caregiver to ensure that all supplies you need are available and accessible.
Prepare Space For Movement
Look around the house to ensure that you have enough space to move around in a wheelchair or mobility scooter. If you are able to move items and create more space, do so. For instance, if the kitchen does not have enough space, you can move the food items to a more spacious area of the house. Keep your phone in an easily accessible place.
Make The Necessary Modifications
Being in a wheelchair is already hard enough. That is why it is good to make the necessary modifications to make your life easier. Here are simple modifications you can add to your home for easier living:
- Make the light switches accessible from a wheelchair. Alternatively, you can use power strips to plug in lamps and use it to switch lights on and off.
- Add grab rails in the bathroom
- Invest in transfer boards to help you move out of your wheelchair
- Add special pull handles to drawers and cabinets
- Move important appliances to lower spaces
Always Have Your Emergency Bag Ready
Stay prepared for an emergency. Keep your emergency bag ready with snacks, medication, clothing and anything else you may need. If you have a special need, keep the diagnosis in the emergency bag. Also have an emergency card with phone numbers of family or friends.
There you have it. Our tips will guide you on staying home alone comfortably when on a wheelchair. If you need to make major modifications to your home check the home improvement grants to see whether you are eligible.
