How to Increase Your Aging Loved One’s Mobility

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As people age, decreased mobility can become a serious issue. Affecting all aspects of life, from traveling to performing daily tasks, mobility is important to a senior’s overall wellbeing. Accommodate your elderly loved one to ensure he or she remains as mobile as possible. 

Encourage the Use of Mobility Aids

Many seniors put off using mobility aids such as canes or walkers for as long as possible. This may be because they don’t want to admit they need the extra help or because they don’t want to carry an extra mobility aid around with them. Let your loved one know neither you nor anyone else will think differently of him or her just because of using a mobility aid. Your loved one’s safety and comfort are what you’re trying to ensure. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Phoenix, homecare is available around the clock if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Assisting Hands 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.

Arrange for Physical Therapy

Seniors often experience limited range of motion due to their bodies becoming stiffer and less agile with age or the development of conditions like arthritis. These complications can make mobility difficult. Encourage your loved one to attend a few sessions of physical therapy to receive customized guidance on increasing mobility and range of motion. Even one or two sessions can teach your loved one the fundamentals for boosting mobility. 

Persuade Your Loved One to Keep Moving

The best way to remain mobile is to keep moving as often as possible. However, keeping in motion can be difficult for seniors who have sore joints and become fatigued easily. Keeping your loved one moving will be easiest if you find enjoyable ways to motivate him or her. Suggesting fun low-impact activities such as swimming or yoga can motivate your loved one to stay mobile. However, if your loved one has experienced a stroke, making certain movements more difficult, a caregiver can assist with mobility. 

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 Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading home care service agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.

Make Sure Spaces Are Accessible

Moving around is much easier when there’s room to do so safely. If your loved one has limited mobility, consider rearranging his or her living space to make it easier to navigate. For instance, purchase nonskid rugs and clean up any clutter throughout your loved one’s house. Also, try to plan ahead for taking your loved one on outings. Find out where accessible entrances for people with mobility issues are so your loved one doesn’t feel like a burden, and plan for a level of movement he or she is comfortable with. 

A trained caregiver with experience in caring for seniors with mobility limitations can be a fantastic resource for family members. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Phoenix families can rely on. All of our caregivers are bonded, licensed, and insured, there are no hidden fees, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts. If you need compassionate professional care for your loved one, call one of our friendly Care Managers today.