If you have an elderly member in your family or even as a close friend, it is important to ensure they live a comfortable life. One of the most effective ways you can take care of them is enhancing their mobility. This is necessary because as we grow old, there is reduced muscle response and control, leading to mobility problems. Great care is required because with mobility issues, it means there are high risks of falls that can lead to injuries. To offer the right assistance,it is important to understand the best ways to deal with mobility in old age.

Here are some of the ways you can offer help.

1. Encourage them to be active

Old age leads to reduced activity and this can lead to several health problems. To boost the level of mobility of your elderly relative or friend, you need to motivate them by engaging in regular exercises. Select simple activities such as yoga or short walks to enhance flexibility and strengthen their muscles. Stronger muscles enhance better balance and mobility for senior citizens.

Make sure you accompany them when doing the simple exercises as a way of motivating them and as a safety measure.

2. Provide them with a healthy diet

To enhance their overall body health and specifically building of their muscle mass, it is vital you provide them with highly nutritious diet. Healthy eating for the elderly help them maintain the right weight that goes a long way in helping with their mobility. Make sure that their diet contains the right amount of protein their body can synthesize easily. Such proteins include dairy, eggs, fish, beans, nuts among others.

The diet should also contain the right amount of carbohydrates, to give them extra energy their body needs. Avoid giving them foods with high calorie levels since they might not be so active and to avoid making them overweight. Vitamins and minerals are also essential to make their body more resistant to infections that can also affect their mobility.

3. Plan for regular medical assessments

Physical assessment from a doctor can help determine and treat issues that might be causing the mobility problems. On the other hand, if the elderly person is taking some form of medications, evaluation is necessary to check if they might be contributing to the mobility issues. With regular assessment, you get the right advice that will help promote mobility of the senior citizens too. If they get any infection, make sure they are treated instantly to avoid further complications.

4. Use the right mobility aids

At times the use of mobility aids is the most effective way to manage

disability issues among the elderly people. There are different mobility aids, but not all of them can work perfectly for your senior relative or friend. Therefore, you need to consult with your doctor to advice on the best mobility aids according to the specific needs of you senior citizen. Check for the specific mobility aid required with the correct height adjustment.

In addition, make sure you get the correct footwear with the right balance and light enough to help walk comfortably.

The correct shoes are those with a flat heel, good grip and have the right lumbar support.

5. Allow them enjoy their independence

As a result of the love you have for your elderly citizen, you might feel that you want to be with them at all times as you assist them. At times, it is advisable not to help them too much. It is recommended that you offer them their independence in order to stay active. Allow them to do what they love and enjoy as long as they do not put them into high risks of fall or other accidents. Just make sure that they are in safe place and allow them to move freely.

Bottom line

In order to offer the right help, it is important you understand the major cause of the mobility issue. Mobility in old age can be caused by others issues, not only age. With this knowledge, it will be easy for you to offer more personalized mobility assistance that will work perfectly for your senior citizen. With improved mobility, it is possible for your elderly relative or friend to handle other challenges associated with age.