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How Household Mobility Aids Can Help

If you find it difficult to bend down or reach up, or have other dexterity or mobility problems, simple day to day activities can become hard work. Tasks that most people take for granted, such as turning a key in the door, picking the milk up off the doorstep and turning on taps, can be very difficult for some people. With the addition of a selection of mobility aids, most everyday tasks can be made easier.

Here is a list of ten household mobility aids that can make a big difference to your life.

1.Key turners allow you to attach your keys to a folding Swiss Army Knife style keyring. The keys fold into the body of the key turner when not in use. Using a key turner provides more leverage and so makes opening locks easier. It can also make keys easier to find and

2.Reachers allow you to reach things without having to bend down or get up. They have literally hundreds of uses throughout the house and garden, and even whilst out shopping. Different types of reacher have different features, which can include magnetic jaws, hooks for picking up key rings and the likes, and clips to attach to walking frames or wheelchairs. Different types of handle are available, which use different parts of the hands and fingers, and you may need to try several to ensure that you choose the right one to meet your needs and dexterity.

3.Grab rails attached to the wall can help when getting out of the bath, going up steps or stairs, getting out of a chair or bed and in many more situations. They can be attached in the correct place for your needs and are available in different styles and sizes. It is recommended that grab rails are installed by a professional qualified tradesman.

4.A small half step can help overcome steps outdoors, or steep or high stairs indoors. Depending on the model of step, they can also be used in the bathroom.

5.Non slip material can be used all over the house. From the kitchen to the bathroom, you are sure to be able to find a hundred and one uses. The material is versatile and can be purchased in various sizes to meet your needs. Whether it is to prevent items slipping off a tray, glasses falling off a bedside table or for opening jars, non-slip material can really help those with limited mobility and dexterity.

6.Electrical plugs and sockets can pose problems to those who find it difficult to bend down. Nowadays, there are products which can provide a solution. By choosing plugs with handles on them to make them easier to plug in and unplug, or using dedicated extension sockets to move plug sockets higher up the wall, you are sure to benefit, and keep your electrical cables tidy. Various types of scissors, such as self-opening, or easy grip can make cutting easier. This can make a great deal of difference in the kitchen, as well as all over the house.

7.Additional items such as a needle threader, playing card holder, card shuffler, or jigsaw roll can bring the fun and enjoyment back into leisure activities. Pens and pencils with special ergonomic grips on them can allow those with poor grip to easily control a pen or pencil. Book and magazine holders allow a book or magazine to be read without being held, and without causing unnecessary strain. Magnifiers can also make a big difference when reading and doing close work. These are available with and without lights, and are ideal for activities such as sewing.

8.Gardening tools are available with longer handles so that there is no need to bend down or reach up further than is comfortable. Angled handled tools can minimise the strain placed on the wrist, and often have a non-slip grip. Ratchet pruners are available which cut with the slightest of pressure. The ratchet action multiplies the cutting action, and assists those people with a weaker grip.

9. A removable carrier bag handle is able to carry up to 4 carrier bags, depending on the strength of the user. The clips hold the handle in place so that the bags remain in place even when placed down.

10. Foam tubing can be placed on the handles of tools and utensils to build up the width of the item, so that it is easy to grip. This tubing is ideal for those who have limited coordination, strength of grip. The tubing can be used with all sorts of items, from paint brushes to cutlery.

These are just a few examples of the range and variety of household mobility aids that are available. Why not see if there's anything that could make your daily living easier?

About the Author

For more information about Mobility and Disability Aids, Healthcare Products and Occupational Therapy Supplies, please visit Handy Healthcare

Will this set up be ok for a cheap gaming computer?

Basically, how will this all run, will it run games like FSX, Sims 3, ect ok?

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium OEM 64-bit
Western Digital WD1600AAJS 160GB Hard Drive
Gigabyte 9800 GT 512MB GDDR3 DVI VGA HDMI Out PCI-E Graphics Card
Corsair 650W TX Series PSU - 120mm Fan, 80+% Efficiency, Single +12V Rail
ASUS P5N-D nForce 750i SLI Socket 775 8 channel audio ATX Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Socket 775 (3.0GHz) 1333FSB 6MB L2 Cache Retail Boxed Processor
Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333MHz Memory Kit Unbuffered CL9
By the way, i've alredy bought the graphics card , but I might get another one later on this year and make them SLI?

Yeah, it will run gaming OK for a cheap machine. It will run Sims fine but it may struggle a tiny bit with really high-intensity games like Counterstrike and COD5.