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Six Tips for Helping a Senior Who Has Trouble Walking

Mobility challenges are extremely common for aging adults. When seniors start to have more trouble walking, that is a safety concern. Fall risks increase because of mobility difficulties, so it’s vital to put solutions in place. For many seniors, working with personal care at home is an excellent answer. Here are some other tips that can help.

Talk to Medical Providers

The first step is always to talk with the person’s doctors about what’s going on. There may be underlying health issues that are worsening or other variables to consider. The cause of the mobility challenges can help to inform the solutions that need to be in place. If there are medical treatments that can help, seniors may find that they’re better able to handle the challenges they’re facing with walking and mobility in general.

Talk about Mobility Aids

Mobility aids can offer tremendous support to seniors who have trouble walking. Different mobility aids offer specific types of support, but they need to be used regularly and properly for the best results. When seniors do use mobility aids correctly, they may find that they’re more confident and stable. Home care providers can help seniors to remember to use these devices when they need them the most.

Create a Safe Living Space

A safer living space is crucial when seniors develop mobility challenges. There are degrees of safety to consider, too. Personal care at home can help families to understand what safety issues their seniors are facing and what steps they can take to resolve some of those issues. Home care providers also help to maintain safety over time.

Encourage Exercise if Exercise Is Recommended

Some seniors may find that they can improve their mobility by moving a little more and growing stronger. They should always follow their doctors’ recommendations around exercise, including frequency and intensity. Caregivers can help aging adults to exercise safely, as well, offering support and stability while seniors practice moving more.

Offer Support Safely

Often fear makes mobility challenges worse for seniors. Because they’re worried about falling and injuring themselves, they may be less inclined to move, even around their homes. It can help a lot for seniors to have a supportive arm to lean on as they walk. The physical connection can also help to soothe fears around moving more.

Consider Personal Care at Home

Elder care providers can offer a wide range of support to seniors who are having more difficulty walking. Caregivers offer support with daily activities like bathing, toileting, and grooming. They can also offer mobility assistance, companionship, and safety advice. All of these different forms of support ensure that seniors have the experienced assistance they need to remain safe and live their lives happily.

When seniors are having more trouble walking, they need a supportive approach. Personal care at home offers practical hands-on help as well as emotional support that keeps seniors grounded when they’re facing big challenges. Home care personalizes care plans to ensure that aging adults have exactly the help they need when they truly need it.

If you or an aging loved one is considering personal care at home in Orinda, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

Keeping Seniors Safe at Home with ADL Assistance

Growing older often means more trouble living independently. Sometimes seniors can age in place just fine, as long as they have a little bit of help. Senior home care providers can keep seniors safe and healthy while also offering invaluable assistance when needed.

What Are ADLs?

Activities of daily living, often abbreviated as ADLs, are fundamental daily tasks that people do in order to take care of themselves, to stay healthy, and to remain independent. These tasks include activities like dressing, bathing, mobility, toileting, eating, and more. Seniors can have more trouble with these tasks for a variety of reasons ranging from cognitive changes to declining health or physical limitations.

Customized Care Plans

The first way that home care offers the help seniors need is through customizing care plans to meet individual needs. Caregivers work closely with the care recipient to understand what they need and want, what their routines are, and any other mitigating factors. These care plans aren’t static, either. They are adjustable as needs change.

Bathing and Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene is essential for physical health, emotional well-being, and comfort. Caregivers can help seniors to bathe and take care of any personal hygiene tasks. This can feel embarrassing for some seniors at first, but caregivers offer compassionate support without judging or making the person feel bad about needing help with personal tasks.

Grooming and Dressing Help

It’s amazing how intricate some clothing and fasteners can be. As seniors age, it can be more difficult to manage getting dressed on their own. Home care providers help seniors to continue looking their best, while also wearing clean clothing that makes them feel their best.

Nutritional Support and Meal Preparation

When seniors aren’t eating healthy meals, that has a huge impact on their overall health. Home care assistance ensures that seniors are eating healthy meals on a daily basis. If seniors need more help with planning meals and grocery shopping, caregivers can help with that, too.

Mobility Assistance

Maintaining mobility is a huge part of helping seniors to remain independent. Senior home care services help seniors to have the support they need with tasks like transferring between surfaces, walking, and even exercising. Seniors with a high risk of falling can greatly reduce the likelihood that they might fall if they have mobility assistance on a daily basis.

Toileting and Incontinence Care

Incontinence is a sensitive issue for so many seniors. Home care providers offer support with toileting, getting to the bathroom safely, and establishing bathroom routines. Incontinence care is nothing to be embarrassed about, and having this assistance can reduce the chances of seniors experiencing UTIs and other health issues.

Monitoring and Reporting Health Issues

There’s more involved, however. Family caregivers who live far away or who are extremely busy may not be able to keep up with everything that is happening with the seniors they love. Caregivers can help them to stay aware of health issues and other concerns that families need to start addressing.

Getting help with ADLs does not mean that seniors have to move or that they are unable to care for themselves at all. Senior home care providers offer the support necessary for aging adults to do what they can and to know that they have assistance when they need it.

If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in Moraga, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.