If you’re caring for an aging loved one who is living with mobility issues, you’re probably going to run into at least a few unique challenges in the coming years. In addition to impacting his or her physical health, your loved one’s mobility problems might also affect his or her mental health and overall quality of life. Luckily, with a solid plan in place, you should be able to mitigate some of those problems and greatly reduce the risk of a catastrophic accident.
Acquire the Right Mobility Devices
Over the years, you might begin to notice your loved one can no longer move around as easily as he or she used to. When that time comes, schedule an appointment with your loved one’s primary doctor so you can ask about mobility devices. An option like a walker or cane could make everyday tasks much easier for your loved one. As those problems get worse, he or she might need to transition to a wheelchair or powered scooter.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Portland, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Align Home Care, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Install the Proper Safety Equipment
You may need to install some safety equipment around your parent’s home. Inside the restroom, you should place grab bars or other devices that allow your loved one to safely use the toilet and shower. Ramps are another great option for those who have mobility problems because they require a much shorter stride than stairs do. Make sure all the handrails around the home have been properly anchored to the walls.
Clean Up the Home
Installing a few safety features can reduce your loved one’s risk of an injury, but you’ll also need to make some other changes around his or her home. Clutter on the floor can be very dangerous for those who have mobility problems, which is why all the rooms should regularly be cleaned and decluttered. You might also want to put everyday items your loved one regularly uses in drawers and cabinets he or she can easily access.
Encourage Exercise
In many cases, mobility issues can be minimized with regular exercise. Strengthening the leg and core muscles allows your loved one to be much safer when walking around. You can also help your loved one strengthen his or her arms and shoulders to make it easier to use a grab bar if he or she begins to fall over. That being said, exercising with mobility problems can be difficult, and you’ll probably want to speak with a physical therapist or certified trainer.
A professional caregiver can help your loved one exercise at home in safety and comfort. Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Align Home Care, a leading elderly home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
Don’t Ignore Their Emotional Health
When seniors can no longer be active, they might begin to experience a wide variety of emotional problems, ranging from apathy to clinical depression. If your loved one seems to be acting differently, have an open and honest conversation with him or her. For severe depression, your loved one should speak with a therapist or another mental health expert who can help him or her come up with a long-term plan for handling his or her emotions.
A trained caregiver with experience in caring for seniors with mobility limitations can be a fantastic resource for family members. Portland homecare services experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Align Home Care. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call (207) 835-3490 today.