Ways to Support Someone With Mobility Difficulties

Whether you’re caring for someone who has recently undergone surgery or perhaps an elderly member of the family has moved in, finding ways to support a loved one with mobility difficulties can go a long way. Not only will it be highly appreciated, but it could also help to prevent accidents and injuries. With this in mind, we’ve listed a few effective ways to support someone with mobility difficulties.

Be patient

Whenever you’re supporting a loved one, it’s important to remain patient. This is especially true if your loved one lives with mobility difficulties. Trying to hurry someone along if they find it challenging to walk quickly could be stressful and even dangerous. Recognise that it may take a little bit longer to get ready in the morning or to walk to your destination and planning ahead is more effective than rushing.

Ask how you can help

Don’t always assume that you know the best way to support someone. Always ask if there’s anything you can do to help before acting. It’s also important to find out what type of help is needed or would be appreciated the most. Sometimes, you may be acting in a way that feels patronising or unhelpful to your loved one (even if this isn’t your intention at all), so make sure you always ask first.

Learn more

Sometimes, the simplest actions are the most meaningful. If you’re trying to find the best way to support someone with mobility difficulties, taking the time to educate yourself will go a long way. For example, if you’re caring for someone who has recently undergone surgery, take the time to learn about the procedure. It can be frustrating for people to realise they can’t move about as quickly as they could before, so showing that you’re there for support will be appreciated.

Adapt your home to make it more accessible

Whether your loved one is living with you or they simply pop round to visit once a week, adapting your home to make it more accessible and comfortable will go a long way. This may be as simple as removing tripping hazards, like floor mats. Or, it could be a slightly more significant change, such as fitting support rails to make it easier to use the bathroom or swapping steps for wheelchair ramps.

If your loved one uses a wheelchair or finds it difficult to get up and down the stairs, consider the benefits of installing a stairlift. Using a stairlift can make getting up and down the stairs much easier, safer and more comfortable – and it also gives people the independence to move around the house without help.

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of installing a stairlift or if you’d like to discuss your specific lift requirements, then you needn’t look further than Alfix Stairlifts. Based in Leamington Spa, we have a range of new and reconditioned straight and curved stairlifts for installation in the surrounding areas. For more information about our bespoke stairlift design and installation services, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’re always happy to help.