Life with fibromyalgia means that simple activities that most people take for granted may be so overwhelming and exhausting that you avoid them or put them off.
Shopping is one of the most common activities that fibro-sufferers and those with other disabilities find difficult. While most people with fibromyalgia just suffer in silence and try to develop coping strategies, retailers can do a few things to help make the shopping experience more comfortable for fibro-patients.
Because people with fibromyalgia have money to spend just like anyone else, it should be worth it for retailers to make some accommodations.
Pay Attention to Fragrances
Any building that has hundreds or thousands of people coming through every day can develop an unpleasant smell. Most retailers choose to address this by contracting with professional services that provide commercial air fresheners and odor filtration. Many fibro-sufferers are especially sensitive to fragrances and will have a negative reaction to strong perfumes.
Change Your Store Lighting
Many people are sensitive to the effects of exposure to fluorescent lights. Even though this intolerance is common among the general population, it’s much more pronounced among fibro-sufferers. Retailers can make life easier by switching from fluorescent overhead lights to ones that are less likely to trigger unpleasant reactions. LED lights cost a bit more upfront but tend to be long lasting and are much better tolerated by people with fibromyalgia (as well as by chronic migraine sufferers.)
Provide Extra Seats or Benches
Walking through a store—particularly a large superstore—can be extremely exhausting for someone with fibromyalgia or another disability. Many fibro-sufferers are still mobile but need to stop and take a rest after a great deal of walking. Most stores don’t have extra seating available anywhere. Providing a seat or bench at a couple strategic points throughout the store wouldn’t take much away from valuable retail floor space but would be greatly appreciated by people with disabilities, including fibro-sufferers.
Mind the Width of Your Aisles
Some people with fibromyalgia have more limited mobility and have to use a cane or even a motorized wheelchair. When the aisles are piled high with merchandise, particularly if stocking is being done during shopping times, it can be a hazardous nightmare for people who need a little more room to maneuver.
Offer Respectful Help
Everyone wants to be treated with respect and dignity, and fibro sufferers are no exception. But it’s a fact that sometimes a person with fibromyalgia won’t be able to reach items on shelves, for example, or will need assistance at checkout. Retailers can help by making sure the store is adequately staffed at all times.
Install Kiosks and Ship-to- Store Options
Most people with fibromyalgia can’t just shop for leisure and need to get in and out of the store as quickly as possible Install self-serve kiosks that will help customers access what they need more easily. Ship-to- store options will also help fibro-sufferers to order what they need online to further cut down on their time in the store.
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