Elder Care Made Easier by Marion Somers

Author:Marion Somers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Addicus Books
Published: 2006-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Step 7

Find Mobility in Disability

When our wheelchair-confined parents wanted to attend our son’s wedding, we arranged an 800-mile trip for them. They each said the event was a highlight of their life.

—R. T. in Kansas

The ability to move around at will is the most basic manifestation of personal freedom. But now it’s very likely that for the first time ever your elder is having difficulty leaving home. He/she might not be able to get around without the assistance of a walker, a cane, or a wheelchair. Driving may not be possible anymore. These newfound restrictions on mobility can have a devastating effect on your elder’s psyche. It makes some elders feel as if they’re in jail. As a caregiver, you have the job of smoothing the transition, and I encourage you to make your loved one feel independent no matter what struggles are encountered.

If your elder suffers from a disability that hampers the ability to walk or stand for long periods of time, then assisting his/her travel outside of the home is probably the most difficult task you’ll face as a caregiver. You cannot imagine the difficulties associated with the situation until you experience them, but there are ways to make the most of it.

Start by taking advantage of what does work for your elder. If a wheelchair is required, you should become an expert wheelchair handler. Put yourself in the wheelchair and imagine what it would be like. If a limb is not fully functional, ask your loved one’s doctor if therapy could improve its function and, if so, start him/her on a program. Take the approach that you’re going to make the best of the situation, and your attitude will go a long way toward keeping your elder as mobile as possible.

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