If your senior loved one lives alone, then it is essential that you take steps to help ensure that they stay safe. As people age, they may be more susceptible to developing degenerative joint diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis. In addition, the incidence of chronic pain and peripheral vascular disease may also rise with age. All of these health conditions can cause mobility problems and can heighten your loved one's risk for an in-home accident or injury. Here are some ways home care services personnel can help seniors with mobility problems stay safe in their homes. 

Standby Assistance

If your elderly loved one has mobility problems, then they may have an unsteady gait and trouble with balance. Because of this, they may fall when trying to ambulate or when attempting to perform their activities of daily living, which include grooming, bathing, and dressing.

The home care services professional can provide standby assistance for the individual to help ensure that they stay safe. Standby assistance means that the caregiver stands close enough to the older adult to be able to steady or catch the person if they experience a loss of balance or feels as though they are about to fall.

Range-Of-Motion Exercises 

Another service that the in-home caregiver can offer a senior with mobility problems is to help the individual with range-of-motion exercises. These exercises help strengthen the muscles of the extremities so that the person gets stronger and has more flexibility. Range-of-motion exercises can also help enhance optimal joint function and decrease pain so that the individual feels more confident and less afraid of falling when walking or performing their activities of daily living.

The in-home caregiver will provide standby assistance while your loved one is engaged in their range-of-motion exercises so that the senior can focus on the activity instead of focusing on the fear of falling. Range-of-motion exercises can be taught to your loved one by in-home nursing assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and nurses. 

If your senior loved one has mobility problems, call a home care services representative. They will be able to answer your questions about which types of services the agency offers, if your loved one might qualify for any government financial assistance programs and if the caregivers can help the senior with meal preparation, laundry, medication administration, and housekeeping. A home care service can provide additional information if you are wondering if this is the right decision for your loved one.

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