Elderly people often have limited mobility, whether it’s due to a disease or just their natural aging process. If your parents suffer from mobility issues, there are things you can do to help them move around. You can still make it possible for them to live meaningful lives just by simplifying their daily activities. In this article, you will find some tips on assisting elderly parents who are unable to walk.
Simplify Their Activities
The fact that it’s difficult for them to walk doesn’t mean your parents just have to sit all day. They can still enjoy fun activities, they will only have other ways to do them. Or you can help them find new ones based on their physical strengths. Finding chores that require less standing or walking and more sitting down can be a lot more accommodating and less strenuous for their bodies. And if you can do a fun project with them, it will be a great way to reconnect and spend time with them, especially if you haven’t seen them for a while.
Make Their Home Safer
Because movement, in general, is more difficult for them, elderly people are at greater risk of suffering injuries from falls. If you can make small changes, like moving some furniture around and getting slip-proof rugs, they will already be much safer. You can also install handlebars in the bathrooms and in their bedroom so it will be easier for them to get up. A security system can help you monitor your parents’ safety, plus it can make it easier for them to call for medical assistance.
Additionally, you can make larger modifications in their home involving construction work, such as installing ramps or a stairlift at the stairs. Or if they had their bedroom upstairs, you can move it downstairs, so they won’t have to climb the stairs at all. Changing a bathtub for a walk-in shower is also a good idea when your parents begin to lose their mobility. And the sooner you begin to make these changes, the better, as they not only facilitate your loved one’s lives but can preserve their mobility as well.
Get Them Mobility Aids
The type of mobility aid your elderly parent will need depends on the severity of their mobility problems. If they are only recovering from an injury, they might need crutches or a walker for a short period of time. However, if your parents have an illness that makes them lose their mobility progressively, getting them a good quality walker is a good idea. If they can still move around to run errands, such as going to the grocery store, some front-wheel walkers can come in handy. Your loved ones can carry a few items with them, and the walkers will support their weight when they lean on it to rest. And if your parents have completely lost their ability to walk, you will need to purchase them a wheelchair.
Enroll Them in Physical Therapy
Although simple activities take much more time and coordination for the elderly. If your loved ones can still walk, you can help them preserve their strength by enrolling them in physical therapy. By speaking to the parent’s physician, you can get an idea about their condition and the type of activity that could be beneficial for them. For example, water-based activities can work wonders if your parents lost their ability to move due to an accident, or condition, such as Parkinson’s disease or a stroke. Seniors with mobility problems not only enjoy when they’re supported by the natural buoyancy of the water, but it also improves their mobility and balance.
Employ a Home Caregiver
Many elderly prefer spending their last years in their own home instead of moving to assisted living facilities. If you can provide them with sufficient physical and emotional support personally, great. But in case your work makes it impossible to do that, you can always find a home caregiver if your parents need assistance to remain safe and comfortable. A caregiver can assist with everything from preparing meals to bathing and grooming. Not to mention reminding your parents to take their medication, which they often forget. Additionally, they might even be qualified to perform any exercise needed for physical therapy.
Unfortunately, your parent’s mobility will only decrease as they get older. However, if they still have a certain mobility level, it’s vital to have them move as much as they can. By encouraging them to exercise regularly, you can help your parents stay mobile as long as possible. It will require a lot of patience, but it will also mean you get to spend more time with them, which they will appreciate.