When people reach old age, many find that everyday living is not as easy as it once was. Seniors may not have the health or mobility they had before, making it tough to do daily activities like cooking and cleaning. Some elderly individuals suffer from more severe mobility issues that limit or prevent them from walking.
In either case, a large number of seniors will reach a point in their lives where they require everyday care to lead a safe life. But if you have an elderly parent who has limited mobility or cannot walk, they will likely require more care. Without proper help, these seniors are at risk of falling and injuring themselves.
Everyone wants their elderly loved ones to be safe and healthy, so it is important that relatives and friends do what they can to help out.
If you have an elderly parent or relative who has limited mobility or cannot walk, then continue reading for some tips on how to help them out.
1. Get a Mobility Aid
If your elderly parent cannot walk, then they should have a mobility device to help them get around their home and elsewhere. From crutches to canes, there are numerous mobility aids available for people to use if they cannot walk. Wheelchairs and scooters, however, are especially preferable for seniors in such a situation. Electric wheelchairs are recommended for those seniors who have limited core and upper body strength, because they will not need to manually push their chair or get someone’s help.
These aids can be expensive, but Medicare can cover the cost in certain situations.
2. Make the Home Safer and More Accessible
A lot of elderly individuals do not want to leave their homes and move into a nursing home or another assisted living facility. Home is a place people work to earn and make their own, and they have a sense of comfort and familiarity there. Aging in place can also give them a sense of needed independence. So it makes sense for seniors to want to remain at home, but it is important that their residence is also safe to live in.
Knowing this, take time to help out your elderly parent or relative by making their home safer and more accessible.
To start, focus on fall prevention by removing falling risks, such as loose cords and area rugs. Then add things that will help prevent falls and provide some stability. Add non-slip mats wherever necessary, and install handrails in the home. Rails can be especially helpful in bathrooms next to the toilet and in the tub/shower.
If your elderly loved one uses a wheelchair, add ramps to make it easier for them to get in and out of the home. Additionally, examine the way their home is arranged. If furniture is too close and cluttered, it can make using a wheelchair difficult. That said, you may need to rearrange and/or remove furniture from the home to ensure there are pathways and space for wheelchair use.
Ideally, the senior’s room should be on the first level so that they do not need to use the stairs. However, this might not always be plausible. In such a situation, consider installing a chairlift in the stairway so that your loved one can safely move between levels of their home.
3. Provide Them with Transportation
When seniors have limited mobility or cannot walk, they no longer have the freedom to drive wherever and whenever they want. This can prevent them from making appointments and running errands and from having a social life, because they cannot go out to spend time with family and friends. As a result, seniors can experience loneliness and other mental health concerns, including depression.
While there is public transportation and other transportation services available, elderly individuals might feel uncomfortable and have a tough time with them. Knowing this, give rides to your elderly parents and relatives when you can.
4. Hire Professional Senior Home Care Help
It is noble for family members to want to help out their elderly loved ones in their time of need. However, it is not always plausible for relatives to care for the seniors in their family. Ensure that your elderly parents and relatives who cannot walk get the care and assistance they need by hiring a professional caregiver.
A professional caregiver ensures that your elderly parent or relative can remain at home while still receiving the care they need. From personal care to meal preparation to errands and transportation, home care can provide several types of services that make living at home easier.
Senior Home Care Services from Assisting Hands Home Care
If you have an elderly loved one who has limited mobility, then Assisting Hands can help. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we offer senior home care services in Naperville, IL, and the neighboring areas to help seniors live at home safely.
The caregivers we employ are professionals who are trained and licensed to provide home care services. We can help with personal care, light housekeeping, meal preparation, fall prevention, and much more. Knowing this, you can feel at ease knowing your elderly relative has a qualified professional available to help them.