Mobility impairments can have life-altering consequences for older adults, requiring major adjustments to daily routines and activities. The immediate aftermath of a mobility impairment can bring many worries, but the right changes to home and lifestyle can go a long way to negating the effects of that impairment. Keep reading for tips and strategies to help with any kind of mobility adjustment.
In-Home Mobility Adjustments for Older Adults
There are a significant number of consequences that can come after a mobility impairment. According to the National Institute on Aging, those with impaired mobility are less likely to remain living in their home, have higher rates of negative health issues, and face an overall lower quality of life. While preventing mobility loss is very important, what can you do for those who have already suffered a mobility impairment?
Many people feel overwhelmed by the amount of changes required for mobility adjustments. Hiring a professional occupational therapist can make those changes much easier and more affordable, and is sometimes fully or partially covered by Medicare. If you’d rather handle things yourself, there are easy steps one can take to make a home safer.
The first is making sure all areas of the home are well-lit, helping to prevent trips over objects on the ground that could be difficult to see. Removing rugs or other items that increase the chances of slips is a great way to make the home safer. Clear paths and walkways is also a must, making it easy to get around without having to dodge around objects. If the home is multi-floor, it’s important to keep as many activities on the first floor as possible. This will increase the amount of activities that can be done even with a mobility impairment, making life as independent as possible even with mobility adjustments.
Check out the articles below for further, more specific mobility adjustment strategies.
Making the right lifestyle adjustments allows older adults to live independently even with mobility impairments.
Home Adjustments for Parkinson's
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, meaning the needs of a person with Parkinson’s will change over time as their condition worsens. Making the right adjustments to their living space can make adapting to those changes much easier. We’ve identified changes you can make to different areas of the home to accommodate for Parkinson’s symptoms.
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