Mobility And Living Aids to Help Inside and Outside the Home
As your parents age, it’s important to begin discussing potential issues that are associated with the ageing process. Some of these issues include the safety and comfort of seniors at home, whether they need assistance with particular tasks and how you will all approach potential issues that may arise.
Understandably, many of us want to remain in our own homes for as long as possible, even as we age. However, as we age, we may not be as mobile or confident as we once were and even simple tasks can become much harder to manage.
Thankfully, mobility aids and other equipment can help ensure your elderly parent or loved one can lead a safe, comfortable, and stress-free life at home. In this guide, we provide you with more information on the assistance aids available and how you can assess which equipment will meet your needs
Daily Living Aids
The decline in strength and motor skills comes naturally with ageing, making once simple tasks difficult and challenging for seniors. Even something like turning off a tap can become harder if you have reduced grip strength. Daily living aids work to mitigate these reduced capabilities and help seniors once again manage on their own.
As living aids create small lifestyle changes that can easily be implemented, they are ideal for people who have experienced a minor decline in their abilities but still wish to maintain their independence. Additionally, these qualities also make living aids an excellent starting point for the discussion of ageing and care with your parent or loved one.
Whether your senior needs a little help in the kitchen, bathroom or even the garden, there are living aids available to suit their needs. These include reaching aids, general household aids, gripping aids, dressing aids, and kitchen aids, along with special cutlery and crockery. These aids can be useful for all seniors, including those with arthritis, dementia or mobility issues and victims of stroke.
Walking Aids
As we age, the likelihood of experiencing an injury as a result of a trip or fall increases. These accidents cannot only cause minor bumps and bruises, but are also associated with more serious injuries such as fractures and bone breakages.
Therefore, it’s important that your loved one can move safely both within and outside their home. This may mean using a walking or other support aids, like grab bars and rails.
Walking aids come in many forms, including walking frames, walking sticks and canes, seat walkers/rollators, and crutches. Before deciding on a particular aid, your loved one should chat with a doctor or occupational therapist to assess their needs and ensure they have the skills and capacity to use their chosen walking aid.
Although some people may be reluctant initially to use a walking aid due to feelings of reduced independence, they will likely soon enjoy the confidence and peace of mind it gives them to move more freely.
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Wheelchairs
For seniors who have serious mobility difficulties, a wheelchair can allow them to move safely and often independently without risk of fall or injury. As such, they can be a vital piece of equipment that can drastically improve your parent’s quality of life.
If you believe your elderly parent may need a wheelchair, you should discuss their requirements with both them and their doctor or occupational therapist. As using a wheelchair can lead to further muscle deterioration, it’s important it is considered as part of their overall occupational care plan.
If a wheelchair is necessary, you will need to consider whether a manual or power wheelchair is appropriate. While
manual wheelchairs are more lightweight and even foldable, powered models require much less effort to operate.
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Scooters
Wheelchairs aren’t the only option for seniors with mobility issues. Electric scooters are also an excellent aid for those that require assistance getting from one location to another. However, while wheelchairs are often ideal for use in the home, the large size and turning circle of scooters often make them difficult to operate in smaller spaces. As such, they are often better suited to outdoor use.
Mobility scooters allow seniors to safely travel distances with minimal effort. Therefore, they are ideal for trips to the local shops, visiting neighbours and the like. If you are wondering what type of scooter is suitable for your parent or loved one, be sure to consider their specific needs. While smaller models can often fit in the boot of a car, larger scooters typically offer more power for navigating hills and travelling long distances on a single charge.
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Although introducing aids and equipment into a senior’s life can be challenging, it can also make an incredible difference in ensuring their safety and comfort at home. To find out more about discussing ageing and care with the elderly, read our comprehensive guide on broaching this topic.
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