Asda breaks age related taboos

Top marks to Asda – This was in the Guardian, regarding selling wheelchairs, urine bottles and what have you.

I find it strange that these items were not generally available, but there may be a couple of reasons for this, there is a mobility shop that I pass regularly and in the village there is a special ‘chair’ shop so maybe I assume there is ready supply of good that are ‘need’ related. Also my mum was a physio in the NHS and also ran a private practice from home so there were always bits and bobs around for me an my sister to balance on/race with/make dens in (Zimmer frames were brilliant covered in a blanket) etc

But, also and mainly, because I’ve never had to look.

And this is the point. To most of us, these are alien objects and we find it difficult to understand relate to people who use them.  And, since most people who use them are at the more vulnerable end of the scale, it will be good if our familiarity increases.

Then we may start dealing with older people with a bit more respect and not regarding frailty as a taboo.

Finally, there is a cost aspect to this news as well – a bit of competition in the market will drive down prices – I guess the competition is Boots mainly, and maybe prescription charges, but I expect there are internet suppliers too.  Since these items will be mainly bought by older people relying on fixed incomes, lower costs will be a benefit.