It’s a secret to no one that the older we get, the harder it is for us to recover from illnesses and injuries. Our metabolism slows, our muscles get weaker and it becomes more difficult to maintain our balance. It’s just a part of life. We all know it. But that doesn’t mean that encountering these limitations is easy.
We tend to do a lot to assist our elderly loved ones with tasks that may require a little extra strength. But it’s important that we don’t forget to attend to the emotional strain that comes with a loss of mobility.
Seniors need as much emotional care as they do physical assistance.
This is why American Senior Communities advocates so strongly for people to visit their aging loved ones. Whether they live on their own at retirement residences or under professional care at assisted living facilities, our elderly loved ones still need to know that the people in their lives care about them. “This may seem obvious, and you may think your loved one already knows how much you care and love them,” reads their website, “However, an in-person visit gives you a chance to be affectionate and serves as a reminder that you care about their well-being.”
Of course, part of attending to the emotional needs of a senior is to ensure that he/she feels safe. The Advantage Home Health Solutions Blog has made clear that falling is a top cause for both injuries and deaths among the elderly. Ensuring that the home is equipped with the necessary mobility solutions and accessibility devices will go a long way in giving your elderly loved one the confidence that he/she is living in a safe environment.
Put yourself in your loved one’s shoes.
On The Huffington Post Blog, Dr. Geeta Nayyar stresses the importance of putting yourself in your loved one’s shoes. That way, you’ll be better able to recognize when and where the common needs of a senior may arise. It should come as no surprise to you that the kitchen, bedroom and especially the bathroom are the rooms of the house the most often require modifications to keep seniors safe.
“Some common and basic changes include: Installing bathroom rails to help support them when they walk through the house and avoid unexpected slips and falls, lowering shelves in the pantry so they can easily access items, adding more lighting and removing floor hazards,” informs Dr. Nayyar, “These changes around the home are basic and simple to do, and can provide caregivers with an added measure of confidence in having a parent live alone.”
The return of independence is integral to one’s positive mindset.
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we know first-hand just how important it is for elderly individuals to have their peace of mind restored. We’ve learned that when equipped with the necessary mobility devices, seniors regain senses of dignity, feel less burdensome and find new confidence in their abilities to get around unassisted. This does so much to improve their emotional states. And we couldn’t be happier to be a part of that process!
We are firm believers that one’s mobility issues shouldn’t stop him/her from having a fulfilling life both inside and outside of the home. If you have any questions about how the mobility devices and home accessibility options offered by Advantage Home Health Solutions can help to improve the lives of your elderly loved ones, please don’t hesitate to contact us to ask them.
Give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact Us page!