How to help an older member of your family move with confidence

The covid pandemic meant that many people in their later years experienced a decline in their physical and mental health as we were all told to ‘stay at home’. This led to many families becoming anxious about their elderly relative who was losing confidence in their physical abilities and needing more support to manage daily tasks.

A reduction in physical activity can have immediate effects on an elderly person’s mobility, strength and balance resulting in frailty and risk of falls or illness leading to potential hospital admissions. The sooner steps can be taken to get advice and support the better chance to get someone regaining their abilities and maintaining their independence.

I specialise in working with elderly people both in their homes or in care homes who are experiencing challenges in their mobility or daily activities after an illness or operation. Working alongside families and care staff, with the right support and treatment we can help them recover movement to move with confidence again. This helps enable people to continue to live their best life in their later years and get on with enjoying the things they love to do, whether that’s managing their own shopping, time with grandchildren or attending social groups or activities.

So how can you help your elderly relative keep moving with confidence? Here are 7 steps to consider:

1. Help them to have a sense of purpose?

Chat with them about how they are feeling, what challenges they currently have in their daily routine and what would they like to get back to doing? This will help you get some clarity on their mental health and well-being.

2. Vision and hearing have a big part to play in our balance. How is their vision or hearing?

Have they been for regular checks? Keeping vision and hearing at their best with any aids can help in the prevention of falls.

3. How much physical activity are they currently doing? Can they incorporate more activity in their day?

Doing an activity or exercises which challenge their balance and strength twice a week is recommended. There are many exercise classes in the Derby and Amber valley area. They may benefit from a personalised assessment, advice and exercises from a Physiotherapist.

4. Maintaining healthy feet play a big part in balance and walking. Are they looking after their feet?

Do they need help from a foot health practitioner or chiropodist?

5. Are they seeing friends or having some quality social time in something they enjoy?

Socialising can help maintain brain health as well as reduce loneliness.

6. Are they drinking and eating enough?

It can be quite common for people to restrict fluid with anxiety around the need to get up in the night more to use the toilet or if going out. This can lead to dehydration and urinary infections. Eating little and often can help those with a poor appetite, rather than faced with a big meal.

7. Help them to create a safe home.

Clutter on the floor and loose rugs can cause a risk of falling. Are they struggling with standing from a chair or the stairs? Getting advice on suitable equipment could help them remain safe and independent. A bedside light is useful if they need to get up in the night to use the toilet?

By working through these 7 steps you will be helping the older member of your family to thrive and live their best life, continuing to move with confidence.