When your elderly relative begins to experience mobility problems of any kind it can leave you unsure of how to help them. Many seniors can find themselves torn between care options when they are aware that things are becoming more of a struggle. And for families it can be tempting to look at residential care as a practical solution. However when research about elderly care shows that most people would prefer to stay in their own home this would be the ideal source of help and care for an elderly relative who needs that extra bit of assistance day to day.
Aside from this though, let’s look at what you can do to help. A live-in carer can be invaluable in taking care of your relative’s everyday needs including helping them to get out and about. Most carers become trusted friends not only to the person they are looking after but also to the family who rely on their expertise and dedication. Even so, families should still do what they can because that connection and trust between family members is a vital tool in supporting the senior members.
Signs of low mobility
There are a number of signs which will tell you that your relative is struggling to walk and these include difficulties in going up and down stairs, difficulties in getting up from a chair or sitting down again and a general loss of balance. When mobility problems strike there can often be a reluctance to go out as their confidence falls. This is when you need to look for ways to help make things easier for them.
Mobility aids
When there is a balance issue and loss of confidence a simple aid like a walking stick or frame can be enough. To help them when out and about a wheeled walking frame or mobility scooter can do wonders for their confidence levels allowing them to get out and do the things they normally love to do like shopping or visiting friends. Where a mobility scooter is needed most of the time around the home and garden you could look at widening doorways and installing ramps into the outside.
Support bars and grab rails around the house, especially in the bathroom and beside the doors which lead outside will help to stop them falling. A stairlift can be installed if there is difficulty in walking upstairs.
Is there a medical reason?
Many older adults are reluctant to acknowledge that there may be a reason for their worsening mobility or they may simply be reluctant to talk about it. Sometimes though there can be medical reasons like failing eyesight, Parkinson’s disease or dementia so talk to them and consider getting them to discuss things with their doctor.
Most of all, give them your time and support to help them overcome any problems.
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