Living with a disability can be difficult regardless of age, but seniors often face particular obstacles. As a family member of a physically limited elderly loved one, understanding their emotional and physical obstacles can help you make their life more manageable.
Challenges Disabled Senior Adults May Face
We often take for granted what seniors with physical disabilities find frustrating. Here's what they're up against every day:
Lack Of Mobility
Mobility impairments can include difficulty walking or standing, using stairs, or sitting for long periods. Often, this prevents seniors from engaging in activities that were once easy and make it difficult for them to participate in social activities, run errands, complete day-to-day tasks, or even take care of their own physical needs.
Restricted Access
This can include physical and social barriers, such as a lack of accessibility-friendly transportation or a home that requires special modifications to accommodate mobility issues.
Social Challenges
Many seniors face social challenges that are specific to having a disability. These can include exclusion from activities or lack of social support and interaction. Isolation and loneliness are particularly difficult for disabled seniors to handle, and can lead to depression and other mental health issues.
Perceived Loss Of Independence
This can include feeling reliant on others for things that were once done independently, feelings of anxiety or frustration over the inability to do tasks or activities, or a feeling of helplessness.
Depressed Mood
Finally, disabled seniors often struggle with depression, which can affect other areas of their life: their appetite, their enthusiasm for favorite hobbies and activities, and their drive to look after themselves.
How Family Can Make Life Easier
Seniors who value their independence need our help. Here's what we can do to support them:
Provide Emotional Support
Just being there for a disabled senior can make a big difference. Building a relationship with a disabled elderly loved one and having honest, genuine conversations with them about how they're feeling can help them feel less isolated.
Offer Physical Assistance
Providing some physical assistance for your disabled senior can be a tremendous help. This may include helping with cleaning and other tasks, running errands, or providing transportation to social or medical appointments. It can also mean assisting with the senior's personal care, such as bathing and toileting. Be realistic with yourself and with your loved one about what you're willing and able to do.
Create Access To Home Spaces
Making their home more accessible is key for disabled seniors. This may include physical modifications such as ramps, grab bars, floor replacement, or accessible showers. If they frequently visit your own home, make some changes there as well so they'll feel more welcome.
Empower Independence
A disabled senior should be allowed to maintain as much autonomy at home as possible, but independence doesn't mean assistance isn't appropriate. This may include providing access to professional in-home care for meal preparation, assistance with personal care tasks, and companionship.
Add Us To Your Disabled Senior's Support Team
With support from family, friends, and professional caregivers, disabled seniors can enjoy a happier and more fulfilling life. If you have a senior loved one living with a disability in Plymouth, Raynham, Dartmouth, Attleboro, or Bristol County, Senior Helpers of Southeastern Massachusetts can help. Our experienced and compassionate home care providers offer a full range of services tailored to the needs of seniors in our service area. Contact us today to learn how we can help your senior family member live their best life.