Maintaining mobility and independence is a significant part of a senior’s quality of life. Fortunately, there are various mobility aids and tools available to assist seniors in navigating their daily activities safely. That doesn’t mean that seniors want to use these tools regularly, for a variety of reasons. Here are a few of the mobility aids aging adults should consider using more often, including senior home care providers.
Canes and Walkers
Canes and walkers are readily accessible mobility aids that provide stability and support for seniors with balance or gait issues. Canes come in a variety of different styles ranging from ones with a single point to quad canes that have four feet for greater stability. There are other types of canes, too, like offset canes. Walkers offer more stability than canes can and they also come in a variety of different styles, including options with and without wheels.
Wheelchairs
Seniors who have limited stamina or mobility might be more inclined to use a wheelchair, especially when they’re out and about. Manual wheelchairs are pushed by home care providers or are operated by the person in the chair. These types of chairs tend to be lightweight and might even fold easily for transport. Power wheelchairs are usually heavier and are controlled mainly by the person in the chair. They’re battery-operated and can offer a lot of independence to seniors with mobility issues.
Assistive Tools
Assistive tools cover a lot of ground. These are basically any tools that are designed to aid seniors in performing daily activities independently. This can include tools like grabbers or reachers, which help aging adults to pick up or reach items that are farther away from them. Adaptive utensils are another category of assistive tools. This might include silverware with larger handles that are easier to grip or button or zipper tools that aid in getting dressed. Jar openers, key grippers, and so many other assistive tools keep seniors independent and safe.
Home Modifications
In some cases, it might be a good idea to consider whether home modifications are the right way to go. These modifications can be as simple as installing handrails and grab bars or they might be more complicated, like replacing flooring or widening doorways. Whatever modifications are made should be ones that take safety and accessibility into account.
Senior Home Care
Many people don’t realize it, but home care is also an assistive tool. Caregivers are there to support seniors with mobility and independence while letting them do what they can on their own as much as possible. Senior home care providers also help with activities of daily living, like eating healthy meals. When aging adults need more help, like monitoring for fall risks, caregivers are there for them to take care of those concerns.
Overcoming the urge to avoid assistive devices and tools can be so important for aging adults. The reasons they don’t want to use these tools can be big or small, but the bottom line is that they can make life better for seniors when they’re used properly. Senior home care providers can help seniors to learn how to use these tools effectively and also help to remind them to use the tools when necessary.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior home care in Roxboro, NC, please contact the caring staff at East Carolina Home Care today. Call (919) 601-7810.
Providing quality home care for seniors and families in and around Morrisville, Apex, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Oxford, Roxboro, Carrboro, Rougemont, Pittsboro and Durham in North Carolina.
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