15 June 2020
Boris Johnson recently announced that there will be a change to current lockdown restrictions in England with the introduction of “support bubbles”.
From Saturday 13th June 2020, anyone in England living alone or in a household where there is only one adult e.g. a single parent with dependent children, will be able to form a “support bubble” with one other household. According to the gov.uk website:
All those in a support bubble will be able to act as if they live in the same household - meaning they can spend time together inside each other’s homes and do not need to stay 2 metres apart.
Guidance is clear that support bubbles should be exclusive and therefore a person cannot switch households they are in a bubble with or, indeed, connect with multiple households. It’s also worth noting that at the present time, guidance around support bubbles refers only to England. Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland are advising their nations separately about next steps concerning the UK lockdown.
It has been confirmed that clinically vulnerable people in England, including those over 70, pregnant women and those with certain underlying health conditions, can form a support bubble with another household, although all members of that support bubble should be extra careful to follow social distancing measures with anyone outside of the household or bubble. Those in the clinically extremely vulnerable group, who have been shielding since the lockdown, are advised NOT to form a support bubble with another household at this time.
It’s likely there are many older people who will see forming a support bubble as their opportunity to visit family members from another household face-to-face – possibly for the first time since the UK lockdown began in March – which means this is a great step forward in our challenge to defeat COVID-19.
If someone is living with a health condition that affects their mobility, there are several handy car aids available to help make it easier for them to travel to their preferred household and form a support bubble. The Car Caddie features a secure strap which fastens around the window frame of a car and can be invaluable for giving someone the support they need to exit their vehicle at their destination.
If a person intends to stay overnight with members of a support bubble, it’s worth considering what other household aids may help improve their independence whilst staying away from home. If mobility is an issue, they may benefit from travelling with a folding rollator, to help them to and from their car, but also provide support when walking around indoors. The NRS 3-Wheel Rollator is lightweight and foldable, meaning it can be easily lifted into the back seat or boot of a vehicle, whilst it’s strong steel frame provides reliable stability when moving from one room to another.
If someone finds it difficult to see in the dark, they may like to bring a small light for bedtime, in case they need to visit the bathroom during the night. The Bright LED Striplight with Movement Sensor is a great, inexpensive option which can be really useful in helping to prevent falls in the dark as it senses movement up to 3 metres away. It can also be fixed in place using sticky pads, making it ideal for an overnight stay.
Alternatively, if a person is living with incontinence and is worried about leaks during the night, they could bring a bed pad as additional protection for the bedding and mattress belonging to the household of their support bubble. Abena Abri-Soft Classic Disposable Bed Pads feature a waterproof backing and sealed edges for peace of mind and are designed to reduce odours – ideal when spending time away from home.
For anyone receiving a guest into their home who may need additional support whilst moving around, there are a number of daily living aids designed to make a house more accessible, which can be easily stored away once the guest departs.
For those who access their front door via steps or a high threshold, it may be worth buying a Bigfoot Outdoor Half Step for a guest to use when they arrive – particularly if their lower limbs are weak and they find it difficult to navigate different levels.
One of the main rooms a guest is likely to use is, of course, the bathroom. There are many temporary aids which can be added to ensure this room is made safer for any guest living with mobility issues. A width adjustable toilet frame, for example, can be easily manoeuvred into position for someone who needs additional support when sitting and standing, then moved to the side for other members of the household. Alternatively, a Raised Toilet Seat, may be better for guests who find it painful to bend to the height of a standard toilet and would be more comfortable using a higher seat.
If someone finds it difficult to stand for a long period of time, a shower stool can be perfect for providing a place to rest when showering and can be easily stored away when not in use.
For more advice on the types of products you, or someone you know, may need when travelling to another household, or staying overnight, please email our Expert Advice team on productadvice@healthcarepro.co.uk and one of our professional Occupational Therapists (OTs) will be happy to help. Please note, our OTs can only advise based on the information you provide them with.
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