Disability

  • Robert Goodman, MSW
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Adjustment to Disability
Adjustment to Disability 150 150 Robert Goodman, MSW

Older adults age 65 and over are at higher risk for many types of injuries that can have devastating effects. In some cases, leading to loss of independence, disability, or death. Falls are the leading cause of injury death for Americans 65 years and older. Twenty percent to 30% of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, or head traumas. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. People age 75 and older are in one of the age groups at highest risk for Traumatic Brain Injury.
What happens when someone suddenly becomes disabled? How do you react? What do they go through? What resources can help both the accident victim and the caregiver?
The individual with a new disability may be in shock, disoriented, and confused about the future. They may be asking themselves “how am I going to go on with my life, remain independent, or get help? “ They may experience a variety of emotions such as anger, denial, sadness, or depression.
Family members may experience similar feelings. They may feel isolated, not knowing what the future will bring or who can help them in this time of crisis.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross identified five stages of grief that the person with a disability or family members may experience: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. A person can go through these stages in any order and they may be repeated. Each stage may last different amounts of time.
Various things affect how people live with their disability:

  • Type of disability
  • Cause of disability
  • Severity of disability
  • Visibility vs. invisibility of the particular disability
  • Coping abilities of the patient and family
  • Previous attitudes toward disability and illness
  • Reactions of family, friends, and health care professionals
  • Personality
  • Availability of supportive services

When illness or disability strikes the patient and families may become overwhelmed with questions and information. Your doctor is key to the process of treatment and recovery, whether you have a progressive illness that develops over time, or a sudden disability caused by an accident.
Becoming disabled means you may need support from health and social service agencies. The hospital social worker or case manager can assess your needs and connect you with services. These services may include home health care, financial aid, counseling and support groups, and other services for older adults.
Patients and families need to ask their health care professionals questions about the disability or health condition, treatment and recovery, and what services are available to help the individual and the family.
Caregivers need to take care of themselves. You need to take breaks, enjoy your own leisure activities, and delegate responsibilities to others if possible.
 
The following services are available in the community:
For general information: Call 211
Area Agency on Aging (Elder Helpline) 561-684-5885 
 
For people with certain health conditions:
Alzheimer’s Association 24-Hour Crisis Line 1-800-272.3900
 
American Parkinson’s Disease Association
954-786-2305 
Arthritis Foundation
561-833-1133 
MS Society for South Florida 800-344-4867
American Cancer Society 561.394.7751
American Diabetes Association 1.800.342.2383
American Heart Association 561.697.6600
American Lung Association 561.659.7644
Susan G Komen for the Cure 561.514.3020
Coalition for Independent Living Options 561.966.4288
For people with visual impairments:
Lighthouse for the Blind 561-848-7200 
Talking Books Library 888-780-5151
Radio Reading Service 800-273-6677
Florida Outreach Center for the Blind 561.642.0005
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: West Palm Beach Blind Rehabilitation Center 561. 422.8426
NFB Newsline 1.866.504.7300
For people with hearing impairments:
Deaf Service Center 561-278-6444
Caregiver assistance and support:
Caregiver Magazine www.caregiver.com
Caregiver Action Network 800-896-3650, www.caregiveraction.org
Well Spouse Association 800-838-0879
Counseling and Support Groups
Ruth Rales Jewish Family Services 561-852-3333
Faulk Center for Counseling 561-483-5300
Morse Life Neighbors2Neighbors 561.531.9844
 
 
 
Transportation:
Palm Tran Connection 877-870-9849
Non-Driver’s ID card 501 S. Congress Ave, Delray Bch
Ruth Rales Jewish Family Services 561-852-3333
The Volen Center 561.395.8920
 
Senior Services (Adult Day Care, Senior Center)
Weisman Delray Community Center 561.558.2100
Alzheimer’s Community Care : 561.391.6955

  • Robert Goodman, MSW
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Disability Etiquette
Disability Etiquette 150 150 Robert Goodman, MSW

What do you do when you meet someone who has a disability? Do you lean on their wheelchair, talk louder, grab their arm to help them? If you do you are violating disability etiquette and making the person with a disability uncomfortable.
First, let’s start with language of disability. Vehicles or things may be crippled, but not people. Credit cards may be invalid, but not people. People first language encourages respect and promotes dignity and a positive attitude toward people with disabilities. We refer to someone with a disability as a person who is blind or deaf or uses a wheelchair (not wheelchair bound).
There are some simple rules to live by when you meet someone with a disability. Here are some suggestions that will make your interactions more pleasant.
How to Help: General Guidelines

  • Introduce yourself and offer assistance if needed.
  • Don’t be offended if your offer of help is refused.
  • Ask how you can help and listen for instructions.
  • Assist individuals with disabilities when necessary or requested, but

do not discourage their active participation.

  • Allow a person DIGNITY to do what he or she wants to do for him or

herself. Encourage independence, not dependency.
Be Yourself
Treat people with disabilities with the same respect and consideration that
you have for everyone else. Treat the person as an individual, not as a
disability. Don’t assume that “disability” is all that person can talk about or
is interested in.
As in any new situation, everyone will be more
comfortable if you relax.
Hearing Impairments

  • Face the person when you are speaking.
  • Don’t eat or cover your mouth while talking. It -it makes speech difficult to understand!
  • Rephrase sentences or substitute words rather than repeat yourself

again and again.

  • Speak clearly and at a normal voice level. Don’t shout.
  • Communicate in writing, if necessary.
  • Move away from noisy areas or the source of noise – loud air

conditioning, loud music, TV and radio.

  • Don’t stand with bright light (window, sun) behind you – glare makes it

difficult to see your face.

  • Get the hearing-impaired person’s attention and face in full view before

talking.
Visual Impairments

  • When greeting the person, identify yourself and introduce others who

may be present.

  • Be descriptive. You may have to help orient people with visual

impairments and let them know what’s coming up. If they are walking,
tell them if they have to step up or step down, let them know if the door
is to their right or left, and warn them of possible hazards.

  • You don’t have to speak loudly to people with visual impairments. Most

of them can hear just fine.

  • Offer to read written information for a person with a visual impairment,

when appropriate.

  • If you are asked to guide a person with a visual impairment, offer your

arm instead of grabbing hers. They should hold your arm just above the elbow.

  • Don’t leave the person without excusing yourself first.
  • Don’t leave cabinet doors open and remove other obstacles that may present a hazard to someone who cannot see well.

Mobility Impairments

  • Try sitting or crouching down to the approximate height of people in

wheelchairs or scooters when you talk to them.

  • Don’t lean on a person’s wheelchair unless you have his permission – it’s

his personal space.

  • Only push someone’s wheelchair when asked.

I hope these hints will make your interactions more comfortable with your neighbors who have disabilities. 

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