Helping seniors stay independent can be challenging, especially if your older adult won’t consider a mobility device that keeps them safer and helps them get around. California Mobility shares tips for talking about aging in a compassionate way and 3 common mobility devices that increase safety and ease.
Seniors often need help moving around and mobility devices like canes or walkers can keep them safer and more independent for longer.
This is a serious issue because according to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of injuries among older adults. Researchers predict that older adults will have 7 deadly falls every hour by 2030.
But as a caregiver, ensuring that your older adult gets the care and support they need to stay safe can be challenging if they resist making helpful changes.
We share why approaching the topic of aging with compassion is so important, 3 mobility devices that help seniors stay independent, and why it’s helpful to first check with their doctor and insurance plan.
Compassion is essential for a successful conversation about aging
Convincing someone to use a mobility device can be a challenge, but a little compassion and listening can go a long way.
When discussing mobility issues with older adults, it’s important to realize that the fear of aging is very real. It can prevent a normally rational person from accepting the help they need.
Many older individuals fear losing their independence. Being told that they need help can be a blow to their pride, so it’s important to take a tactful and gentle approach.
Instead of openly confronting your older adult and demanding that they make changes, arrange a heart-to-heart conversation in a calm, non-judgmental setting.
Let them know that even though they may need help getting around, they’re still the same person they have always been.
3 mobility devices that help seniors stay independent
Safely aging in place is possible for many seniors. These 3 common mobility devices can make it easier for seniors to get around and stay independent.
1. Canes and walkers
Canes and walkers are some of the most common mobility devices on the market.
They can make a world of difference for individuals suffering from lower-body pain, weakness, or balance problems.
Both help seniors to walk more safely and comfortably while maintaining a healthy posture.
Plus, there are many different types of canes and walkers to choose from.
2. Stairlifts
Going up and down the stairs multiple times a day can be difficult for many seniors – and for some, impossible.
If stairs are a challenge for your older adult, you might want to consider installing a stairlift in their home.
A stairlift is a chair that’s attached to a motorized rail. A person stays seated in the chair and it glides up and down the stairs on the rail. This allows someone to get up and down the steps with little to no effort.
Stairlifts can be installed on both straight and curved staircases and they can usually be customized to match the décor of the house.
3. Power wheelchairs
A power wheelchair allows someone with lower body weakness or paralysis to get around easily and quickly.
Unlike the heavy, chrome-plated, difficult-to-maneuver contraptions of the past, most new power wheelchairs are lighter and better looking.
Check with their doctor and insurance plan
Before choosing a mobility device, first talk with your older adult’s doctor and check their health insurance plan.
The doctor can steer you toward the mobility device that will be most helpful to your older adult so you can make a more informed decision.
And Medicare Part B and Medicaid often pay for mobility devices if they’re “prescribed” with a doctor’s order.
Recommended for you:
- Increase Safety with a Simple At Home Mobility Test: Timed Up and Go
- Prevent Falls with 5 Warning Signs of Mobility Issues in Seniors
- How To Use a Walker Safely and Comfortably
Guest contributor: 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 industry in hopes to spread information about taking care of seniors and what to expect in the aging process.
Image: EULA Home Care Agency
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