With age, mobility can start to become a problem for many. But that doesn’t mean you become bedridden and completely immobile. There are numerous devices available today that aids in mobility for the elderly. Giving them the chance to move around independently without exerting too much pressure on their body while also reducing the chances of a fall.
Stair lifts
Stair lifts enable seniors with knee and other joint problems to travel up and down stairs without the need to put pressure on their knees. Climbing stairs on their own also puts seniors at risk of experiencing a life-threatening fall, so should be avoided as much as possible. With a stair lift installed, seniors can independently travel up and down while being comfortably seated. The lift does all the work for them so there is no added pressure on their body, especially the joints.
Canes and walkers
Maintaining balance while walking may be a problem for many seniors. Especially those that weren’t very active during their younger years. While there are numerous studies that show the impact even something as simple as light stretching or yoga can have on balance and mobility, some may even find this to be difficult with age. Canes and walkers can help seniors that have problems with balancing, pain or weakness in the lower body to move around their homes, and the outdoors, safely. At the same time, they promote good posture while walking.
Wheelchairs
For seniors that find it hard to use their lower body due to injury or extreme pain, wheelchairs give them the opportunity to get around. They can use their arms and hands to move around on their own or have someone push them from one place to another in a wheelchair. For seniors that live on their own, ramps would need to be installed inside and outside the home to give them accessibility.
Mobility Scooters
Mobility scooters are more expensive than regular wheelchairs due to the fact that they have a motor that powers the scooter. But it accomplishes exactly the same thing a wheelchair does, giving the ability to get from one place to another for seniors that are immobile for one reason or another. There are numerous types of mobility scooters in the market, such as electric 3 and 4-wheel scooters, which are perfect for outdoor use. With a mobility scooter, seniors don’t have to rely on someone pushing them around. As they are completely independent to drive the scooter on their own with the help of the motor.
How to know when your loved one’s mobility is on the decline?
There are some telling signs you can look out for to gauge when your loved one may need assistance with mobility, these are:
- They have trouble getting out of bed and sitting down on their own.
- They take time to get dressed.
- They feel pain in their joints, especially the knees when walking up and down stairs.
- They have experienced a fall due to slipping and or falling down the stairs.
It is important to get your loved one the right mobility device so you can ensure their safety while also giving them some independence to move around.
Author’s bio:
Joseph Jones has been writing senior care and aging-related articles for years. He got his start while writing for a personal blog before he was offered to work at California Mobility in 2018 as the Content Marketing Manager, creating highly informative guides and health awareness articles for aging adults.
He’s currently contributing to a variety of blogs in the senior health industry in hopes to spread information about taking care of seniors and what to expect in the aging process.
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