Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) impact 54 out of one million people annually, with 17,700 new SCI injuries per year. Males are at a much higher risk of suffering from a spinal cord injury than females, with 78% of all new cases involving males.

And when these individuals have to transition back to their normal, everyday lifestyles, it can be a devastating change.

No one is ready for the transition back to a normal life after a serious SCI. It's an entirely new life, especially when the injury is severe and impacts your ability to walk, talk, go to the bathroom or even breathe.

Transitioning back home is easier when an occupational and physical therapist is able to assess the home and offer recommendations. But even when recommendations are given, there will be a lot of changes that you should know about beforehand.

Stair Lifts for Stairs

If you have stairs and are no longer able to ascend or descend stairs, a chair lift for stairs will be a good fit. These chairs are bulky, and they will take up a little less than half the stair when the chair is not folded.

These units will plug into a normal electrical outlet, and they will allow you to go from the top to bottom of the stairs independently.

But if you’re wheelchair-bound, you may need a:

·      Transfer board

·      Wheelchair at the top and bottom of the stairs

It's a transition. There’s no way to quickly go up or down the stairs, so you’ll need to allow yourself ample time to get ready and leave the house.

Reaching Items Will Be Difficult

Rearranging items is a must, and someone is going to have to help you. Reaching deep into cabinets or high into cabinets may be difficult. You'll need to place items within your reach, and this may mean a total revamp of your home.

If something falls on the floor, it will also be harder to reach – if it’s possible.

Medical Supplies Will Be Needed

You’ll want to start finding a medical supply company that will work with you to provide all of your supplies on a regular basis. AvaCare Medical, for example, offers a GoFundMe option, where the company will offer up to 10% of the cost of an item, such as a wheelchair, to customers.

Bulk orders and other options make it easy to purchase and ensure that you have all of the supplies that you need.

What basic supplies may you need?

·      Diapers

·      Bed pads

·      Bandages

·      Gauze

·      Catheters

And these are just the recurring items. You may also need a variety of other items, like:

·      Mobility aids

·      Wheelchairs

·      Bed rails and accessories

·      Grab bars

·      Commodes

·      Transfer boards

If you’re now in a wheelchair, your home’s doorways will be too small in many cases. What you’ll need to do is widen the doorways, and this is a major expense that you’ll often have to seek charity to have completed.

Over time, you’ll find that you fall back into a routine, and once all of your equipment and supplies are purchased, you’ll fall into a form of normalcy once again.

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