By Dori Cohen, MS, OTR/L, MSCS, CSRS, LSVT BIG Certified
Many people experience emotional changes as the leaves stop falling and the cold weather emerges. However, for some people with disabilities, this seasonal change can fuel significant challenges for mobility, symptom management, as well as daily logistics.
While this is far from being a comprehensive overview, here are a few tips that may help somebody navigate these challenges:
- Clothing Management. Putting on clothing can be challenging for individuals with decreased strength, range of motion, mobility, and fatigue. This can become even more burdensome where more layers and thicker clothing options are required. There are many adaptive clothing companies that can help this process run as smoothly as possible.
- Brands such as Kizik, have winter boots available that do not require you to tie shoelaces and have a slip-in technology where the heel compresses and snaps into place.
- Brands such as MagnaReady or Silverts have adaptive clothing (ie. jackets, pants, shirts) that are created to enhance comfort and dressing experiences. If putting on/taking off gloves is difficult, there are adapted mittens available at produitshandy.com.
- Additionally, occupational therapists are skilled at coming up with an individualized plan for people experiencing increased difficulty with all aspects of dressing. This can be done through exploration of technique modifications, development of exercises to enhance barriers to dressing, and identification of adaptive devices/clothing that can promote improved independence with task.
- Be Prepared. There are products available to enhance your safety and independence navigating in community.
- Light: LifeMounts universal mounted LED light is available on Amazon and can improve your ability to see better during ambulation. It can be added to your walker or cane.
- Make sure that your assistive device (wheelchair, walker or cane) is tuned up. If the breaks have been causing you issues, prioritize fixing that before the snow/ice presents. Call your vendor to see if anything can be done to “winter-ize” your devices.
- Carry a fully charged cell phone on you at all times.
- Listen to your body and delegate.
- Perhaps in the past, you used to help with snow removal. If you and/or your family are not confident that this is a safe use of your energy, come up with a backup plan.
- If you are feeling unsteady on a snowy/icy day, listen to your body and modify a plan involving being out and about.
- Ask for help when needed. When there is a safety concern, it is not worth pushing through.
- Stay Active. When weather allows, say yes to plans and stay active!
- Make a plan with family, friends, community members and/or yourself to get out of your house and move. Instead of walking in the park, take a walk in a shopping mall. When you are available, join a virtual or in-person support group and/or community wellness and socialization group. Many opportunities are offered through RWJBarnabas.
- If you are looking for an individualized home exercise program to manage strength, coordination, mobility – speak to your physician about an occupational therapy or physical therapy referral.
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Dori Cohen is an occupational therapy supervisor at RWJBarnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center in Livingston, NJ. Dori is a certified Multiple Sclerosis Specialist (MSCS), Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist (CSRS) and is certified in LSVT Big treatment protocol. Dori completed her BA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and her MS in occupational therapy at New York University. When not in the clinic, Dori enjoys spending time with her two boys (ages 3 and 5), exploring NYC, and crafting.
The experienced and compassionate staff at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Rehabilitation centers, with locations in West Orange and Livingston, offers adults and children the specialized care they need to resume an active life after surgery, injury or illness. Staff is committed to providing patients with the most advanced services in a safe, caring and soothing environment. For high-risk patients who are unable to visit in person, telehealth is an option. Patients do not need a prescription for physical therapy services.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 973-322-7500.