As a wheelchair user, there are some real safety issues that should always be top of mind. Not the least of these safety issues is the danger of pressure ulcers (also known as bedsores).

The more limited your mobility is, the more you must guard against the danger of pressure ulcers. If you are in your wheelchair for essentially all your mobility needs, you are at greatest risk. Here are some tips to help you avoid this painful condition.

1. A family member or nurse should check every day for the beginning signs of a pressure ulcer. Look for spots of redness that don’t turn white when you press it with your finger. For those with darker skin color, it can be harder to recognize this early stage. The next stage to watch for is the formation of blisters, which then form an open sore.

2. Avoid friction. Be careful not to drag your skin across sheets or out of your seat. Learn to lift properly to avoid creating an abrasion.

3. Control moisture. Too much moisture from excessive perspiration or urine can make the skin soft and more prone to bed sores. Talk to you doctor or nurse about options for those with incontinence.

4. Minimize irritation from chemicals. Avoid irritating antiseptics, hydrogen peroxide, iodine solution or other harsh chemicals to clean or disinfect the skin.

5. Eat healthy and get exercise. A balanced diet that’s high in calcium, vitamins C and E, and zinc will help. Additionally, even the simplest exercises and stretching can increase blood flow and aid in protection.

6. Change positions every hour. When you’re in your wheelchair, be sure to shift your weight and/or position each hour.

A cruise can be a wonderful, relaxing vacation. Seeing the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean or the spectacular landscape of Alaska’s coast can be exhilarating. However, if you are a wheelchair traveler, there are some things you should know.

First, you must inquire about documentation you need to provide to ensure you get a wheelchair accessible room. If you simply ask for one, you are not guaranteed to get one. Next, realize that quarters are tight on a ship. The elevators and hallways can provide challenges‹not that you won¹t fit. But sometimes people have to make accommodations for you and that may make you uncomfortable.

The biggest obstacle for those in wheelchairs is often the port excursions.
Depending on where you cruise, there aren¹t necessarily accessibility laws.
It can even be a challenge to find wheelchair transportation. If you can, take a folding chair to be as flexible as possible.

By Mobility Alliance Group Staff

This is just a friendly reminder to all our customers out there that Medicare Open Enrollment ends on March 31st. Open enrollment gives individuals currently on Medicare the opportunity to change their Medicare coverage to either Original Medicare or to a private Medicare Advantage health plan.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to make any changes that could be important during the coming year.

If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, make sure you realize that because these plans are administered by a private health insurance company, you will be required to follow their guidelines and you can incur high out-of-pocket costs if you do not. But you can also get special benefits that are not covered by Original Medicare, such as dental and vision benefits.

In the end, as always, the key is to learn all you can about your options. Then you can make the best choice. You can talk to your doctor also (or more likely your doctor’s nurses) for advice.