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Out and about

A few simple processes and products will help you enjoy getting out and about. You can see some suggestions to help you explore your local area below.

Questions to consider:

  • Could you do your shopping by phone or online and have it delivered to you?
  • Do you make an effort to sit less and move often throughout the day?
  • How do you stand when loading and unloading the car with shopping? Can you stand front-on and hold items close to your chest? Do you bend your knees when lifting?
  • Do you keep your keys, wallet and bag in the same place at home so that you always know where they are? Could you designate a spot by the door with a basket to keep them all together? 

Plan

Plan to shop outside peak times so that the shops aren’t as busy and it doesn’t take as long. Shop in familiar stores to reduce walking and the time it takes to find what you’re looking for. Take reusable shopping bags with long straps as they’re easier to carry over your shoulder. 

Prepare

Physical fitness and flexibility are important, so you can continue to do the things you love. Progressive strength training has a positive impact on wellbeing and quality of life.  

Pace

Collect all necessary items for going out in advance. Try shopping little and often rather than doing one big shop. Alternating between energy intensive and lighter tasks can conserve your energy. 

Posture

Ask staff to help you lift heavy items from shelves, in and out of the trolley and into the car. Avoid awkward postures when loading and unloading the car. Store items so they’re easy to access when you need them.

Use a transfer bar

Standing up from a car seat can be difficult without having something to hold onto. Try using a transfer bar in the side of your door and a swivel cushion on your seat to reduce the effort it takes to lift your legs out and around to stand up. 

Take tools with you 

If you find you're stuck in the car seat or having trouble sliding your bottom in, place a plastic shopping bag on the car seat to help you to slide in and out. Keep one with you for travelling.

Carrying shopping bags

Use your shoulders and wrists, to hold bags rather than straining your finger joints. Using a shopping trolley. A trolley provides you with stability and reduces your need to carry items to and from the car or around the shops. Some people choose to use their laundry trolley to transport items from the car to the house. 

Finding the car

Take a photo of where you parked your car using your mobile. If the car park issues a ticket, write the car park letter and number on the back. You could also park your car near a visual landmark so you get some extra exercise and have a reference point to help you find your car.

Keeping active

Incidental exercise is one great way to have a positive impact on how much you move every day. Use the time you spend watching TV as exercise time. Set yourself a routine, like standing up and sitting down ten times at the start of each show, walking across the room and back in ad breaks or toe raises holding onto the kitchen bench while boiling the kettle in between shows. 

Reduce time spent sitting

Research says reducing the time you spend inactive, is more effective than one hour of exercise. Just increase the time you spend walking or standing every day. To help build your memory fitness, follow a routine to help reduce what you need to remember each day. 

Assistive products for out and about

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  • Car Assist Bar

    The Aspire AssistBar is the perfect solution if you need a little bit of extra help when...

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  • Homecraft Key Turner

    Homecraft Key Turners have curved, built-in handles to make them easy to grip and to give ...

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