How to Help an Aging Parent With Mobility Issues

We all want our parents to be happy, and for many aging seniors, this means spending time doing their favorite hobbies, getting out and about, and most importantly, maintaining their independence. However, according to the United States Census Bureau, the most common disability that seniors face is mobility issues. This can seriously affect your parent’s life and create problems with stability, walking safely, and climbing stairs. With these physical limitations, your aging parent might find it hard to spend time doing the things they used to enjoy. It is difficult for people to watch their loved ones experiencing the loss of complete independence and mobility. 

To help everyone improve their aging parents’ lives, here is how you can assist them with mobility issues. 

Get Your Parent a Full Medical Evaluation

Helping and caring for a parent can be difficult if you are not completely certain about what needs they have. Mobility issues are often connected to other medical conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s, and fibromyalgia. Additional health issues can add more stress to bones and joints, and make it more difficult for your aging parent to move and get around. It is important to have a proper medical evaluation for your loved ones to correctly determine how much help they need in everyday life and which medical conditions should be treated.

Look into Mobility Aids

The right mobility aid can really transform someone’s life. Depending on the severity of your parent’s issues, there are various mobility options that may be able to meet your parent’s needs. Some of the most commonly used mobility aids are walkers, canes, wheelchairs, electric scooters and an upright walker covered by medicare. For seniors who have limited strength in their lower body, using a wheelchair or an electric scooter is usually the best option. On the other hand, walkers and canes are more useful for seniors who can still walk but need additional support. If your parent experiences pain or pressure in the hips, knees, or ankles, using a cane or a walker can help to reduce the pain and pressure and improve their balance. 

Make Home Improvements

Whether your parent lives with you or in their own home, there are various improvements and adaptations you can make to their home to help them with their mobility problems. First of all, areas that present a high risk of a slip or fall such as the bathroom and kitchen should be properly adjusted. Simply installing non-slip mats on top of hard flooring can be an easy solution. Many homes for seniors also have rails installed next to the toilet, shower, and bathtub for extra stability as well.

Secondly, keep in mind that using mobility aids such as wheelchairs can be complicated if your parent’s home is not properly renovated. From moving furniture around to placing regularly used home items where they can be easily reached, many home improvements are straightforward and don’t cost anything to do. Stairs can be particularly difficult to navigate for many seniors. Consider looking for stairlift finance options to help them maintain their independence. It is important to think ahead and be proactive with these home improvements to help your aging parent maintain as much independence as he or she can.

Consider Professional Home Care

Limited mobility may cause various issues that your parent will need to adjust to. For many people with mobility issues, their quality of life suffers tremendously, especially when basic needs such as eating, going to the bathroom, and washing become more challenging. Having a professional caregiver from impactful home care or a similar trusted agency at home means your parent will have on-the-spot help at all times, rather than relying on family members or struggling alone. Make sure that you check the credentials of anyone you hire to ensure that they are qualified and that your parent will be safe in their care.

Give Emotional Support 

Your parent may refuse or be reluctant to accept the help they need at first for various reasons. They may be attempting to maintain control over their day-to-day lives, prefer to be independent, or feel like they are a burden to their children. Therefore, the best way to help and to be there for your parent is to offer your assistance from a place of compassion and empathy. By showing you only have their happiness in mind, your parent will eventually feel more comfortable accepting help from you. 

It is difficult to watch your loved one entering a challenging phase of their life but remember that there are simple solutions for mobility issues. There are many ways you can help your parent, which will give you peace of mind that they are always safe and are able to maintain their independence despite their limitations. Try out some of these tips and they will solve your parent’s mobility problems so they can continue to live freely and happily.