One of the hardest parts about seeing your parents get old is when they reach the stage when they’re struggling to walk. Sometimes, they’ll be able to walk very short distances. On other occasions, they’ll be unable to walk at all. Sadly, it’s a natural part of the aging process and happens to everyone eventually — but there’s no need to panic or be upset.
With the help of this easy guide, you can discover some smart ways to counteract the aging process and put some effective solutions in place. This way, your elderly parent will still be able to get around and live a fulfilling life, which is definitely something to celebrate.
Here’s a look at what to do when your elderly parent can’t walk anymore.
Buy a Mobility Scooter
The best and most effective solution to this problem is to buy a mobility scooter. With a mobility scooter, your elderly parent can still travel around and maintain some level of independence. Plus, all of this will give them a much-needed mental boost, as they won’t have to let their mobility issues stop them from doing the activities they love, whether it’s going shopping or visiting the local park.
- Around 300,000 people in the UK use mobility scooters
- Some of the most popular mobility scooter brands include SHOPRIDER and Freerider
To get started, browse through Discount Scooters Online to see which model falls into your price range. Remember to consult your elderly parent about this, too, so that they can have an input on which mobility scooter you buy. Size and comfortability are especially important, so take your time with the purchase.
Use Additional Mobility Aids
Aside from a mobility scooter, there are many other affordable mobility aids out there that your elderly parent can use. For example, you can buy crutches, walkers, canes, and even a manual wheelchair so that you can push them around when they’re with you.
Essentially, the mobility aids you buy should be based on how mobile your elderly parent currently is. If they’re still in good enough physical condition to walk around independently but have started to limp a lot, then a cane or walker will be a suitable solution. Over time, if your elderly parent’s condition becomes worse, you can then introduce a wheelchair and other mobility aids as well.
Make Changes to Their Home
If your elderly parent currently lives in a home alone or with their spouse, you might need to make some changes to it.
Usually, the first step is to rearrange the furniture so that it’s not as obstructive. The aim should be to create clear pathways for them to navigate through when they’re going about their daily lives. Otherwise, there’s a strong chance they might trip or fall more easily, which you obviously don’t want to happen.
Then, there’s the matter of the stairs. If the staircase is currently proving to be too high for your elderly parent to walk up and down safely, then it’s a good idea to have a stairlift installed. Or, another option (which is a big decision to make) is downgrading their home. In many cases, an elderly parent’s children will help them move to a new home, such as a bungalow, with no stairs at all.
Contact a Senior Care Service
Finally, you can think about contacting a senior care service to help your elderly parent with their overall mobility. This will involve the care service traveling to see your elderly parent during the week, where they will then help them to exercise their joints and muscles. As a result, your elderly parent will get to experience increased mobility.