Mobility loss is a common concern among senior citizens, and it can greatly impact their quality of life. If your elderly loved one can no longer get around as well as he or she once did, it’s important to understand why. Knowing the reasons for mobility loss can help your loved one seek treatment, look for underlying health issues, and learn what his or her limits are.
1. Arthritis
Arthritis is a leading cause of joint pain in seniors, and aging adults who develop this condition may eventually find it too painful to walk. Medication and physical therapy can sometimes reduce inflammation in the joints. Despite the pain, it’s important for your loved one to stay as active as possible.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
2. Neuropathy
Neuropathy in the feet means the nerves are so damaged they cause numbness and tingling, which can make it difficult to walk. This condition is often a symptom of diabetes, but it can occur for no particular reason or as a result of other diseases. Have your loved one tested for diabetes and get his or her blood sugar under control to prevent neuropathy from progressing.
3. Injuries
As people age, they become prone to falling and injuring themselves. This can lead to broken bones, which may or may not be treated in a timely manner. After a bone breaks, it may not heal correctly, which can cause a change in mobility. Prevent falls by decluttering your loved one’s home and adding handrails in places like bathrooms and hallways.
Huntsville in-home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
4. Medication
Medications and treatments for conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney disease may leave your loved one feeling weak or dizzy. These feelings may leave seniors without the confidence to walk without assistance. After all, no one wants to feel as if he or she is going to lose his or her balance at any moment. Talk to your loved one’s doctor about side effects of medications to see if there might be an alternative way to combat those effects, such as taking the medication at a different time or lowering the dosage.
5. Dementia
Dementia may play a role in the loss of mobility. People with dementia tend to lack control over their movements, and they may slow down when they walk. Dementia can also affect coordination and balance, raising the risk of falls. Sometimes a person with dementia can’t start walking from a standing position. If your loved one has dementia, stay vigilant. Keep an eye out for changes in mobility and do what you can to keep your loved one comfortable and safe.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving 24-hour care. Huntsville, AL, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. If your loved one needs assistance with daily activities, call one of our friendly Care Managers at (256) 716-9940 today.