Since life expectancy has increased over the past decades, it’s not unusual for people to live well into their 70s and 80s. Some countries, however, tend to have a greater life expectancy than others. Individuals that live in countries with a life expectancy that exceeds 70 years, for instance, may discover that they will spend roughly eight years living with some sort of disability. Fortunately, there are services and devices available to assist individuals of all ages to be as self-reliant as possible.
Identifying Tasks and Activities That Pose Challenges
It’s been estimated that ten percent of the world’s total population is living with a disability. According to the Census Bureau, an individual’s disability status is determined by the responses provided to different types of queries. The purpose of these questions is to learn more about measuring an individual’s difficulty with performing various tasks and activities:
- Hearing
- Vision
- Cognition
- Walking
- Climbing stairs
- Self-care
- Independent living
Popular Mobility Aids
There are approximately 3.6 million people living in the United States that use a wheelchair to aid their mobility. In addition to wheelchairs,11.6 million individuals use mobility aids such as canes, crutches, and walkers. Fortunately, most buses are able to accommodate a variety of assistive devices. Approximately 98% of them, for example, have lifts and designated areas for wheelchairs. Since these measures are in place, it is that much easier for individuals that may not have regular access to a car or other vehicle to be independent and maintain an active lifestyle.
Ensure That Your Wheelchair Is Well-Maintained
If you haven’t had your wheelchair bearings replaced for a while, you may want to consider doing so at your earliest convenience. This is particularly the case if you’ve noticed that your rolling performance isn’t what it could be. In addition to having your wheelchair bearings changed, it may also be time to have it thoroughly inspected to determine whether or not new wheelchair brakes, tires, or other parts need to be replaced. When your wheelchair is in optimum condition, it can definitely contribute to your enjoyment of an active lifestyle.
