How is a Physical Disability Diagnosed?

There are 14.1 million people in the United Kingdom living with a disability. A physical disability is defined as a “limitation on a person’s physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina’ that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on an individual’s ability to do normal daily activities’ according to the Equality Act 2010.

This can mean a person has difficulty or cannot walk, move their hands or arms, sit or stand unaided or control their muscles. Physical disability tends to fall into one of two categories.

Musculoskeletal disability

This is a disability that affects joints, bones, muscles and can also include any loss or deformity of limbs, brittle bone disease and muscle weakness. There are around 200 conditions that come under this category including arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Neuromusculoskeletal disability

This is where there is inability or difficulty moving body parts due to disease, degeneration, disorder of the nervous system, resulting in a physical disability such as a stroke, spinal cord injury or cerebral palsy.

A physical disability will either be hereditary, congenital or acquired. A hereditary or congenital disability is from birth, while an acquired disability is a disability that occurs later in life as a result of an accident, injury, infection or disease.

How can you be diagnosed with a physical ability?

You will usually be diagnosed with a physical disability by a doctor who diagnoses your condition/s causing the disability. However, you do not have to have a diagnosed medical condition to be considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010, but you do need medical evidence to show your impairment has substantial and long-term effects on your ability to do day-to-day activities.

Whether you have lived with a disability all your life, for many years or have only recently acquired it, there is no reason you cannot live a full life, it may just be more difficult or take longer to do certain tasks, or you need assistance sometimes.

What can physical disability care help with?

Physical disability care is there to provide support with a variety of tasks such as getting dressed and ready for the day or ready for bed, assistance to attend medical and social appointments, running errands such as shopping, help with household chores, washing, toileting or preparing meals.

Physical disability care with Live In Solutions

At Live In Solutions, we can provide you with a range of care options to choose from and you’re your input, develop a care plan that works specifically for you. Our experienced carers provide high quality physical disability care and will be expertly matched with you to provide the best working environment for both parties.

Our home care options make finding flexible and affordable care easy, allowing you to have full control over the type of care you want and when you need it. We’ll always take our cues from you in relation to the level of care you want and when you want us to help.

If you would like to find out more about our services, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us, we’ll be happy to answer your questions or book a consultation