Good Healthcare Requires Treatment of Your Mind, Body, and Soul

Three Ways To Help Your Parent Maintain Independence

4 October 2017 by Hugh Larson

If you have an elderly parent that insists upon living alone, you may be worried about their well-being. This is especially true if they have known mobility issues. Although they may not be ready to go into assisted living or downsize their home, it does make sense to help them make their current home safer. The following ideas can help you reach this goal.

Tip #1: Install emergency alert buttons

One of the greatest dangers for many elderly people is falling down and being unable to call for help. You can help avoid this potentially deadly scenario by having emergency alert buttons installed in your parent's home. These are generally placed in the most common areas to fall, such as the bathroom. These aren't really buttons, but instead cords that reach the ground so your parent can reach them to activate the alert if they fall. There are also small buttons that your parent can wear in case they fall down in an area with no button.

Tip #2: Get help for problem tasks

Some tasks are just difficult for a person with mobility issues, and can pose a hazard when they try to do them. This can include some basic household tasks, like laundry, cleaning, or even bathing. One way to overcome this without taking away full independence is to have an elder care provider come in for a couple of hours each week. They can attend to the small tasks that are too much for your parent, as well as help them with anything else they have problems with completing, such as hygiene tasks.

Tip #3: Overcome step hazards

Another major hazard in the home are steps. Single story homes may still have a high threshold or a step or two to enter the house. These can be overcome with low ramps or threshold covers. This way your parent can get over them with the help of a cane or in their power chair. Multistory homes or those with several steps are more challenging. A stair lift can provide a solution. These are simply chairs on a track that can transport your parent up and down the steps. There are even platform models available for those that use wheel chairs. Companies like All-Star Lifts can help.

Combining the above tips with the installation of other basic safety devices as needed, such as bathroom handles or raised seating surfaces, can keep your parent independent longer. This in turn can may improve their quality of life.

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