6 Ways To Help A Senior With Limited Mobility

Health & Medical Articles

Limited mobility is not exactly uncommon in old age. Whether it is due to arthritis or a slip and fall incident, not being able to move around as easily can hurt an elderly person's independence and self-esteem. Seeing someone you care about struggle like this is definitely difficult. It is up to you to help make your family member's life easier. Here are six effective ways to help a senior with limited mobility:

Purchase a Stair Lift

If your senior family member has limited mobility, going up and down the stairs every day can be a struggle. That is where a stair lift, such as Stair Glide, comes in. This device will carry your loved one up and down the stairs. Your family member will feel comfortable and will not have to worry about falling on the stairs. A stair lift will also help your family member feel more independent because he will not have to rely on someone every time he has to use the stairs.

Make Sure Your Loved One's Home is Fall Proof

A person with limited mobility has an increased risk of falling, so it is important to make your loved one's house as fall proof as possible. Begin by walking through his house and removing any clutter you see on the floor. If you see any slippery rugs, get rid of them. It is also a wise idea to install grab bars in your loved one's shower and armrests on the toilet.

Sympathize With Your Family Member's Struggles

Dealing with limited mobility is likely very tough on your family member, so you should let him know you sympathize. When he talks about how much he is struggling, carefully listen to him and validate his feelings. For example, you could say something like, "I understand that having limited mobility is very hard on you. I am here whenever you need to vent." Doing this will show your family member that you truly care about his feelings and want to listen.

Encourage Your Family Member to Exercise

Exercising with limited mobility is actually possible. Regular physical activity can even decrease anxiety and depression and improve self-esteem. Encourage your family member to start doing an exercise at his own pace. For example, he might enjoy walking or swimming in a pool. Remind your loved one to drink plenty of water while exercising and to stop if he feels any pain. If your family member is in a wheelchair, there are still plenty of ways he can stay fit. Helpguide.org recommends air punching with weights, bicep curls and tricep extensions.

Suggest a Support Group

If your elderly loved one is having trouble coming to terms with his limited mobility, you should recommend that he joins a support group. If your loved one is able to talk about his struggles with individuals who truly understand, he may feel better. During these support group meetings, your family member may even receive valuable advice on how to cope with limited mobility. Going to the first meeting may be tough, so offer to take your loved one.

Look for Signs of Depression

While it is normal to be express frustration over limited mobility, it is not healthy to be constantly depressed about it. If your senior family member seems sad and hopeless and has no interest in his normal activities anymore, you should definitely encourage him to see a doctor soon.

Do not allow limited mobility to take over your love one's life. If you follow these helpful tips, you can help your family member come to terms with limited mobility and lead a much happier life.

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24 February 2016

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