Pages 23-30 in the full Wise Guide book
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Whether you're planning an hour at the supermarket
or a week in Spain, there's plenty of help if you're less mobile.
Getting around on foot
Would you feel more stable with a Zimmer frame,
walker, rollator or other aid? Your GP can refer you to a
physiotherapist who will assess your needs and explain how to use
equipment. The factsheet Choosing Walking Equipment from
the Disabled Living Foundation (0845 130 9177, dlf.org.uk) gives you a good idea
of what is available. Try before you buy at one of the country's
50-plus Disabled Living Centres. Contact Assist UK for details of
your nearest (0161 238 8776, assist-uk.org).
Ricability (0207 427 2460, ricability.org.uk)
regularly consumer-tests mobility aids.
The NHS provides certain mobility aids, or you can
buy them from specialist companies like Youreableshop (0844 412
4331, youreableshop.co.uk). Buy only from industry
standard-qualified staff and product specialists. You'll find
secondhand equipment on websites like themobilitymarket.co.uk.
Did you
know...if you're not confident going out alone, an Age UK volunteer
may be able to accompany you to the shops or surgery.
On wheels
The NHS can lend you
a wheelchair. Your GP, hospital consultant or social
services will refer you to the nearest NHS wheelchair centre where
they'll assess your needs.
NHS wheelchairs can be self-propelling or electric; usually only
severely disabled people qualify for electric wheelchairs.
To hire or buy
The Disabled Living Foundation's factsheets on
choosing wheelchairs also suggest how to get help to pay for them.
You can borrow or hire wheelchairs short-term from the British Red
Cross (0844 871 1111, redcross.org.uk).
Try out wheelchairs at a Disabled Living Centre. Your chair should
be stable, comfortable and easy to manoeuvre. If you need to carry
it by car, choose the lightweight, active user type. Get expert
advice.
Battery-powered scooters and
buggies
What's the difference? Scooters can be dismantled,
buggies generally can't. Class 2 types of buggy or scooter are for
use on pavements only and can travel at up to 4mph; Class 3 types
are also for road use and can travel at up to 8mph. You need a tax
disc - free from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
(DVLA) - for the faster type.
You can't get a
scooter or buggy on the NHS; if you can't afford to buy (or hire),
a charity (see chapter 1) may be able
to pay.
Before you buy, read the Disabled Living
Foundation's factsheet, Buying a
scooter or buggy. Your supplier should belong to the British
Health Trades Association (0207 702 2141, bhta.net).
If you are receiving the higher rate mobility
component of Disability Living Allowance, you can use it to get a
scooter or buggy through the Motability scheme (0845 456
4566, motability.co.uk).
The Shopmobility service - free or at a
small charge - lends scooters, wheelchairs and other aids to help
less mobile people use town centres - (0845 644 2446, shopmobilityuk.org).
By car
You must renew your licence when you are 70 and
every three years after that and tell the DVLA if you develop a
condition affecting your ability to drive. A leaflet from the post
office or direct.gov.uk/en/motoring tells
you which conditions apply.
Did you know…if you want to check your driving is
still up to standard, you can pay for a driving assessment with the
Institute of Advanced Motorists or the Royal Society for the
Prevention of Accidents.
The Association of British Insurers offers advice
on motor insurance for older drivers (020 7600 3333, abi.org.uk). Stay
with an insurer who knows your driving record, otherwise age may
prevent you switching. Some car hire companies impose an age limit
of 70 or 75 so check before you travel.
Want to adapt your own car or buy a more suitable
one?
Start with the Forum of Mobility Centres (0800 559
3636 mobility-centres.org.uk).
If you get the higher rate mobility component of DLA you can use
your allowance for a new car through the Motability scheme. Their
Managed Adaptations Programme enables you to adapt a car to suit
your needs. And if you no longer wish to drive, you may nominate
someone else to drive you.
Can't walk far from your car?
The Blue Badge
parking scheme lets people with severe mobility
problems park free at meters, in pay-and-display bays and
for three hours on single and double yellow lines. Contact your
local council for more details.
Taxis
In London, by law, black cabs must be accessible;
elsewhere, accessibility policies vary. Contact your council for
details of community transport services. There are also
wheelchair-accessible Dial-a-Ride minibuses which you book like a
taxi.
By bus
Your over-60s bus pass allows free off-peak travel all over
England. Similar schemes operate in Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland. Contact your council for details.
By train
Look for concessions for less mobile and older rail
travellers on nationalrail.co.uk or
call 08457 484 950. A Senior
Railcard gives you a third off most standard and
first-class rail fares.
A Disabled
Person's Railcard - for people claiming disability
benefits or registered blind - gives you and a companion a third
off fares. If you don't have a railcard and are a wheelchair user,
or blind and travelling with someone, you can get a third off
certain fares.
By air
Major airports should offer assistance for people
with limited mobility. Some budget airlines have restrictions eg
currently, EasyJet will not carry wheelchairs weighing more than
60kg in one piece.
Need accessible
transport and assistance on the bus, coach, plane or train?
Visit traveline.org.uk,
or call 0871 200 2233. Give plenty of notice.
Holidays for less
mobile people
Tourism for All (0845 124 9971, tourismforall.org.uk)
Enable Holidays (0871 222 4939, enableholidays.com)
Vitalise (0845 345 1970, vitalise.org.uk)
Too expensive? Perhaps a charity can help -
see chapter 1.
Travelling can be
stressful if you're not sure where the nearest loo is…
Contact RADAR (020 7250 3222, radar.org.uk) for
details of the National Key Scheme which gives access to more than
8,000 accessible UK toilets.
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