How to Help Senior Parents Adapt to Using a Wheelchair
by Thomas Brown March 19, 2024
Many senior citizens experience mobility problems that result in a demand for using a wheelchair. The transition can be really tough, not only on the physical but also on the psychological level. Loss of independence, sadness about previous capacities, getting frustrated with the new normal way of life, and self-confidence hit – these symptoms become quite common.
But with a bit of empathy, patience, and some practical adjustments, you can change the situation and turn all the problems into less severe issues. We must validate seniors’ feelings while reassuring our commitment to their comfort, safety, and happiness. Renewing the perspective rather on what is still possible instead of what is lost is necessary. We should reframe the focus on remaining possibilities versus lost mobility. To support your elderly parents through their life change, consider accommodation across all facets of daily living as well as help build their confidence. With a strong support environment, older adults can continue thriving even with a wheelchair.
Why the Transition is Difficult
The need to use a wheelchair can make seniors feel they’ve lost their independence. For most, getting around freely has been something they took for granted their whole life. It is understandable for them to grieve no longer having their old mobility and activity level.
Operating a wheelchair is frustratingly hard for aging adults the first time. Learning to maneuver around and do transfers takes coordination that feels unfamiliar. Simple tasks become challenges again while getting used to doing things seated in the chair – like bending down, getting dressed, or reaching for objects.
It does not come as a surprise that these new limitations impact seniors’ confidence and sometimes lead to feelings of anger or depression. They may avoid going out, embarrassed about the wheelchair. When they open up about these emotions, you can reassure them you empathize and will support them fully. The key is to meet negativity with patience and positivity.
How to Provide Emotional Support
Beyond empathetic listening, provide reassurance that their happiness and comfort remain the priority. Validate this difficult transition, allowing seniors space to verbalize worries, sadness, or frustration without judgment.
Shift focus toward the wealth of fulfilling opportunities still available despite changed circumstances. Maintain an encouraging, positive tone and suggest counseling should signs of severe depression persist. Remind senior parents how much they are still valued and capable of accomplishing. Reinforce that while the wheelchair represents a shift, with some adjustments, this will simply become their new normal.
Tips for Daily Living Adjustments
Alongside emotional support, adapting daily living spaces and routines can solidly smooth the transition. Engage the elderly in selecting a comfortable wheelchair and helpful accessories catered to their needs and self-expression. Arrange household spaces to be more wheelchair friendly. Consider installing ramps, widened hallways, lowered light switches, and lever-style doors and handles. Open, easy-to-access bathroom and kitchen layouts allow increased independence with daily self-care tasks. Install grab handles, raised toilet seats, bench shower chairs, adjustable sinks/counters, and hands-free technologies.
Rearranging wardrobes to easily access clothing from a seated position reduces dressing frustrations. Tables that accommodate a wheelchair enable seniors to perform kitchen tasks independently. Smart home devices such as hands-free lighting, doors, entertainment, and phones further reduce reliance on helpers for basic needs. The simpler and more accessible the home environment is, the sooner confinement to a wheelchair feels manageable versus limiting.
Building Confidence & Independence
As senior parents master transferring to and propelling a wheelchair safely, ensure plenty of practice through longer excursions. Gentle guidance navigating home while seated establishes needed coordination before community access. Help identify activities to replace favorite pastimes that are now less accessible. Advise engaging support groups, wheelchair sports, and peer mentors for inspiration. Highlight progress made regularly. Plan outings to wheelchair-friendly shops and restaurants. Providing resources and encouragement to regain independence minimizes feelings of dependence and shatters assumptions about limitations.
While learning maintenance needs like tire pressure, crutch management, and charging electronic chair components offer practical responsibility, gauge interest, and retain some caregiver duties if desired. Determine thresholds for needing assistance – up ramps, doors, curbs, transport within vehicles, etc. Establish a communication system should problems arise when out alone. This allows peace of mind for all parties.
Conclusion
Helping aging parents adjust to decreased mobility is an emotional journey with challenges at every turn. While transitioning to wheelchair use signals undeniable loss, with family support, environmental adaptations, and regained self-confidence in their abilities, seniors can shift focus onto remaining possibilities. Patience and compassion go a long way when frustrations run high. We must encourage parents to establish boundaries on independence based on personal capacity. Regular check-ins equally provide reassurance that despite changed circumstances, with planning and support, their well-being remains cared for. Adjustment takes time but is absolutely possible.
Thomas Brown is a passionate writer at Marc’s Mobility (https://marcsmobility.com/) – the top seller of mobility aids in Florida. Tom is into sharing his knowledge with others as he believes that sharing means caring. Caring for our dearest and nearest is a crucial role in our society.
The Author
No Comment