Ways You Can Help Your Elderly Parent With Mobility Issues

Being the adult child of an elderly parent can be an odd position to be in. On the one hand, you are still your parent's child and feel as though you should defer to them in many respects. On the other hand, you are also an autonomous adult and may even feel like the parental role is switching as your parent begins to require more care and assistance throughout their daily life. One of the issues that your elderly parent may be struggling with is their mobility. The body weakens with age and if your parent has any conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis as well, moving around can become quite the challenge. Get to know some of the ways that you may be able to help your elderly parent with mobility issues to have an easier time in their daily life.  

Get Them a Lift Chair

When an elderly person has trouble moving, one of the most difficult tasks that they will have on a given day is standing up from a seated position. A lack of physical strength, as well as a lack of flexibility and muscle suppleness, can make the endeavor nearly impossible if the seat is low to the ground or they do not have something to grab onto to give them proper leverage.

However, there are ways that you can help them with that issue. One option is to get them a lift chair for their home. Lift chairs are essentially recliners or other plush chairs that look and feel like any other living room chair. The difference is that these chairs are electronic and the seat lifts up and tilts forward to help the person in the chair to come to a standing position without straining themselves to do so.

This reduces the muscle strain that your parent will experience and may even help them move around more easily once they are up on their feet as their muscles will not be as tired from the struggle of standing up. If your parent also spends a lot of time at your house, you may also want to consider getting a lift chair in your home as well.

Install Support Bars and Railings Around the House

Another step that you should take to help your elderly parent with mobility issues is to install railings and support bars throughout their home. Even something as simple as walking down a hallway or up and down a flight of stairs can become quite difficult with age and because of various age-related medical conditions.

If your parent does not already have sturdy hand railings on both sides of their staircases, it is important that you immediately have them installed. A single support bar in long hallways can also be helpful in case they get overly tired maneuvering the hall. Bathrooms are also often quite tricky for elderly people, and you will want to have support bars put in around the toilet, and in the shower. For a tub/shower combination, support bars inside and immediately outside the tub can help to minimize your parent's fall risks.

Put these tips to use, and you will be well on your way to helping your elderly parent navigate their home safely and with greater ease in spite of their mobility struggles.