Providing the best care for your elderly family members can be a difficult task, especially once they start to lose some of their mobility.
Mobility loss is a more significant issues for seniors, as it can affect quality of live and increase the risk of other injuries or accidents.
If your elderly parents want to stay at home, but are starting to lose some of their previous mobility, you may be wondering if there’s a way to help ensure they’re safe and comfortable.
To let your parents enjoy their golden years, try these five strategies to help ensure your elderly loved ones have as much mobility as possible in the comfort of their own home.
Customized Home-Based Physical Therapy Plans
In the majority of cases, families can help their senior loved ones with physical therapy without the need to go to professional facilities.
Work with your loved one’s physical therapist to develop a personalized therapy plan, and try to find ways to adjust their physical therapy treatment to the home environment.
Regular Low-Impact Exercise
For seniors, low-impact activities are always a preferable choice. Things like swimming, walking, or yoga are all great choices for low-impact activities that can also help improve the mobility of an individual.
The healthier your elderly loved ones are, the more they’ll be likely to keep their currently mobility levels. And, exercises like a gentle yoga routine may even improve existing mobility.
If possible, join your parents or grandparents for a daily walk or a light exercise routine. It’s a great way to ensure they’re getting the exercise they need, while also being a great bonding activity.
Home ModificationsÂ
Home modifications can make a huge difference in improving mobility and safety in the home.
And many of the most helpful and popular home modifications are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.
Think changes like grab bars in the bathroom, non-slip mats on floors, motion-activated lights, and sturdy stair railings. These little upgrades can make a big difference in your loved-one’s overall comfort level.
And, of course, you’ll also be helping to reduce your parents’ risk of an accident or injury due to decreasing mobility.
Assistive Devices
There are a variety of assistive devices available that can make it easier for a senior to perform daily tasks and remain active.
These can be as simple as easy-grip utensils for cooking and eating, or as fancy as a motorized wheelchair.
The important thing is to assess your elderly loved one’s current mobility level, as well as any tasks they may be struggling to perform.
Then, you can ask a medical professional what assistive devices might help make life easier and more comfortable for them.
Nutritional Support
The food we eat plays a huge role in general health. A healthy diet can help ensure bones and muscles stay strong, and joints are protected.
As we age, nutritional needs start to change. Often, appetite decreases. And many seniors may struggle to get enough B vitamins, calcium, fiber, and potassium.
Protein is also important, in order to prevent Sarcopenia, an age-related condition characterized by a loss of muscle mass.
As early as 30, muscle mass starts to decrease, with the rate of muscle loss increasing even more by the age of 50.
That natural muscle loss can greatly affect the mobility and daily activities of your parents or grandparents in the later stages of life.
| Age range | Muscle mass loss (per year) |
| 30-40 | 0.3-0.5% |
| 40-50 | 0.3-0.5% |
| 50-60 | 0.4-0.6% |
| 60+ | 1% |
There are a variety of great recipes for seniors available online and in specialty cookbooks. And, don’t forget, a key aspect of nutrition for seniors is staying hydrated!
Help your elderly parents by creating some simple meal plans of easy dishes that will meet their nutritional needs and maximize their strength.
Additional Advice: What to Do if You Can’t Provide Home Care for Your Loved One?
As much as your parents may want to stay in the comfort of their own home, the day may come when they need the additional support found in a nursing home.
If mobility is an issue, then you’ll want to ensure you find a nursing home with a highly rated healthcare and mobility program.
Take your time to research facilities carefully, as many nursing homes will make sure to heavily promote any major selling points, while downplaying potential issues.
For example, Delaney Park Health has a 70% improvement rate in mobility that’s advertised to potential new clients.
However, there have been numerous complaints by residents and their loved ones of poor care, understaffing, and a failure to provide adequate medical assistance when needed.
Ask your family doctor for some potential recommendations, read reviews of any facilities you’re considering, and take the time to tour the nursing home, so that you get a clear picture of what the day-to-day routine is like.
It’s worth the effort to make sure your loved ones will be as comfortable and happy as possible.
We all want our loved ones to grow older as comfortably and safely as possible.
And while there’s no way to permanently stave off the aging process, there are ways to help ensure your senior parents can remain independent for as long as possible.
From finding the right exercises to outfitting the house with helpful upgrades, there are all kinds of ways to maximize your loved one’s mobility, so they can feel confident being in their favorite space.
With your help, your elderly parents will be able to enjoy their golden years to the fullest.