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It's never easy to know what to do when faced with an elderly loved one's mobility issues. The golden years are supposed to be a time people look forward to, but for many older people, it can seem more like a chore with mobility difficulties preventing them from living independently and doing daily activities that used to come easily. On top of that, elderly caregiving is a challenge most family members may not be prepared for. Fortunately, there are ways you can help your loved ones cope with their mobility limitations and better support them as they grow older.
Understanding is key
When your loved ones are struggling with mobility issues, it is important to understand that there are often other emotional factors involved - whether it is embarrassment, shame or guilt. Even with all the time and energy you invest in caring for your elderly loved ones, it can still be challenging if they do not feel comfortable to express their feelings. By changing the way we communicate and listen, this will be crucial to help maintain positive self-esteem and confidence, and empower our loved ones to live as independently as long as possible.
Seek medical advice
Scheduling a doctor's appointment is a great way to get a clear understanding of the current health position of your loved one. Vision and hearing problems are common amongst the elderly, so it is important that they attend regular check-ups. As vision and hearing tends to affect their balance, movement, as well as social interactions, regular check-ups will ensure that any issues are caught early and remedied before they translate into larger issues. It is also important to get your loved one's prescriptions up-to-date so they have everything they need in case of an emergency. Finally, you would also want to pay attention to your loved one’s diet and make sure they are eating foods that are healthy and nourishing.
Help them stay active
Research has shown that even a small increase in physical activity each day can greatly benefit the physical function of older persons. It does not have to be a big time commitment: a short bout of exercise each day is better than nothing at all. There are many simple activities to help seniors keep fit which don’t put too much strain on their bodies. Exercises such as resistance exercise or strength training are especially effective at strengthening muscles and improving balance and coordination of the elderly. Encouraging regular activity also has far-reaching benefits for your loved one’s overall health.
Ensure safety
One of the most important things you can do is to get rid of clutter and fall hazards to reduce the incidence of elderly falls at home. This can be as simple as removing trip hazards, tidying electrical cables, and removing or securing loose rugs. Consider installing movement sensor lights or night lights in case your loved one needs to navigate to the bathroom at night. You should also ensure that floor surfaces stay dry and consider getting a SOS medical alert system which they can use in case of emergencies. This can be in the form of a simple SOS elderly alarm, in which the elderly person can press the SOS button to alert the caregiver when they require assistance.
Conclusion
When caring for an elderly loved one, caregivers may be faced with a multitude of challenges. Here at The Golden Concepts, we offer a wide range of elderly assistance equipment and mobility aids to ensure the safety of your loved ones at home and when they go out. We offer a variety of services and products including lightweight transport wheelchairs and home care electric beds to help connect you with the resources your loved ones need to overcome mobility challenges. With the right elderly assistance equipment, we can keep our loved ones safe and independent. Contact us to learn more about how we can better support you and your loved ones.
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