Disabled people may experience health problems as a direct result of their disability or as a result of being more susceptible to certain types of illnesses. Disabled is a term which is used to refer to many different types of conditions with different implications for people’s health. Some people with disabilities may only experience mild symptoms, while others will have much more debilitating conditions.
Long-term health conditions
If you have a disability it is likely that you will experience related health conditions for the rest of your life. This can be a daunting and upsetting prospect for many people but there is help and support available to help you cope with your disability and any illnesses you experience, and to harbour disabled independence. Long-term health problems affect people to different degrees and health professionals encourage people to try and maintain as much independence as possible. This is known as self-care and it involves the patient having the confidence to manage their condition and try to live their life as fully as possible. At all stages of treatment, the individual will be given support and advice from NHS staff, as well as being able to turn to parents, friends and relatives and charities for additional support. Self-care involves a variety of different things, from exercising to taking medication and eating healthily.
Many people with disabilities have difficulty getting around the house and carrying out daily routine activities. Occupational therapy and training can help to make life easier for these people and make their home safer and more suitable, allowing them to enjoy greater independence.
If an individual has a serious long-term health condition, which affects their ability to look after themself, they will be offered additional support and their treatment will be carried out wholly by a team of professional healthcare staff.
Healthcare
Disabled people are usually referred to a specialist care team as soon as they have been diagnosed. The professionals that make up the team will depend on the individual patient’s condition and may include a variety of different people, including specialist nurses, speech and language therapists, consultants, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. The care team will be responsible for all aspects of the individual’s care and the health service will arrange appointments, transport and consultations as and when they are required.
Healthy living
Exercise
Healthy living is essential for everyone but it can be difficult for some people with disabilities to enjoy a healthy lifestyle; for example, many people have physical health conditions which prevent them from doing exercise. But exercise is a great means to promote disabled independence. In recent years, there has been a great deal of investment in sports facilities for disabled people and many communities now offer activities and sports for disabled children and adults. Joining a team is not only a great way to keep fit but it is also an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Many sports centres also have facilities for individual sports.
Diet
Diet is extremely important for good health and everyone should try to eat a healthy, balanced diet. A healthy diet should consist of a variety of different foods and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. A balanced diet should include complex carbohydrates, protein, lots of fruit and vegetables and a limited intake of fat. If an individual has problems which affect their eating patterns, they will usually be offered advice from a nutritionist.