It’s heartbreaking when someone you care about loses their ability to walk. Each day you are expecting them to get better. But each passing day increases the danger of serious injury from falls.
The Battle Between Acceptance and Fear
Acceptance seems so hard. You have such clear memories of how active your loved ones were. And because of those memories, you resist purchasing a rollator (or similar walking aid) for them.
Fear drives your decision making process. You don’t want your loved one to feel dependent. That’s why you keep delaying the purchase of a rollator.
Identifying the Point of No Return
Observe how your loved one is now walking through every day. What you see may be more than just stubbornness it may be the early stages of diminished physical capabilities. Take note of:
- Your loved one touches walls repeatedly as he/she walks down hallways.
- Your loved one has begun declining social events where he/she would normally need to walk long distances.
- Your loved one consistently trips over his/her own feet, almost slipping but catches himself/herself before falling.
- Your loved one expresses sudden concern about crossing wide open spaces (such as empty parking lots).
Physical Dangers of Not Taking Action Now
Seniors fall frequently. Falls can lead to serious injuries that will require extensive rehabilitation. A broken hip from a single fall can ruin your loved one’s life in a split second. The length of time required to recover from even moderate injuries is considerable weeks, if not months.
Rather than waiting until your loved one suffers a critical event, act proactively. Actively making proactive decisions preserves whatever amount of strength your loved one has left. Your loved one will remain mobile and active for many more months/years than if no action was taken.
Freedom Through Mobility Aids
Rollators and walkers are not symbols of weakness. Rather, they are instruments of freedom. They give your senior loved one the opportunity to explore the world around him/her again.
- Large basket attachments allow your loved one to carry heavy grocery bags or other bulky items without feeling overwhelmed by the weight.
- Hand brakes attached to the sides of the rollator allow your senior loved one to maintain control going downhill on uneven surfaces.
- The four large wheels of the rollator provide a comfortable ride over uneven sidewalk and curbs.
Making Your Home a Safety Friendly Space
Walking assistance devices go way beyond simply being able to walk. To create a fully supportive environment for your senior loved one, you need to examine all aspects of your home. A great place to begin is the bedroom.
A typical mattress can become a nightly struggle for your senior loved one. Families find themselves searching for short term solutions to this problem. There are several electric hospital bed rental Toronto options available that can dramatically improve nights’ sleep.
Bedroom Safety Modifications
Sleep quality has a huge impact on daytime balance/stability. For this reason, modifying your home to make it safer for your senior loved one is important.
Some families start their search looking for “hospital bed rentals near me” which includes installation. Installation professionals ensure that all components are properly installed reducing household stress. Most importantly, professional installation helps ensure that the user is protected from harm upon initial use.
Modifications for the Living Area
The living room provides its own set of potential mobility hazards. Couches are very soft and tend to engulf people when they sit down. Getting up can be quite difficult for your senior loved one.
There are several ways to address this type of issue including purchasing an adjustable lift chair. An adjustable lift chair allows users to slowly rise from sitting to standing eliminating the risk of straining weak knees.
Benefits of Adjustable Medical Recliners
Using medical recliners in the living area greatly reduces the number of transfer related injuries that occur among seniors and their caregivers. Using recliner based products also greatly enhances overall comfort levels.
- Motorized systems enable users to stand up straight.
- Users can adjust the position of their legs to alleviate lower back pain.
- Durable materials used to construct these types of products endure repeated use and accidental spills.
- Remote control systems provide easy access for users who want to operate their chair independently.
Accessing Local Resources for Equipment Rentals
Finding appropriate mobility aids and/or equipment is a significant undertaking that involves time consuming research. Fortunately, there are numerous local companies providing various mobility equipment rental options. It is essential that you select a reputable company based on factors such as equipment quality, customer service, cost and availability of emergency repairs etc.
Having a local provider of hospital bed rentals Toronto gives you peace of mind knowing that should anything happen with your rented equipment, a technician will visit your location as soon as possible allowing your senior loved one to continue resting comfortably.
Asking Smart Questions Before Signing Any Agreement
Before agreeing to rent any piece of equipment, ask yourself some key questions. Doing so will help minimize the chances of discovering hidden costs after renting begins.
- Is my monthly payment inclusive of emergency repair services? If not, what does emergency repair coverage entail?
- Will the delivery personnel arrive promptly to deliver the product I ordered?
- Can I convert this rental into ownership at a later date? Are there any penalties associated with doing so?
- What procedures does the company follow regarding equipment maintenance/cleaning between clients?
Understanding the Importance of Accepting Help
Being willing to accept help means having a tremendous amount of courage emotionally. It means changing the dynamics within your family and creating a safety net for your senior loved one.
Still, safety should always be your top priority.
If needed, consider investing in a lift chair to promote safe movement throughout the day; these modifications will ultimately allow your senior loved one greater freedom in their home.
Don’t wait another minute to modify your senior’s home to increase their safety. Immediately look into an electric hospital bed rental Toronto catalogue; review local options carefully; then work with a trusted home care hospital bed rental Toronto provider to develop an integrated plan to ensure your senior’s continued health and safety.
Steps for Implementing Successful Changes
Gradually introduce new technologies/products into your senior loved one’s life with compassion and understanding. Change is uncomfortable at first; therefore proceed slowly.
- Begin by practicing use of the new rollator indoors prior to taking it outside.
- Celebrate little successes such as walking unassisted to the mailbox daily.
- Adjust the height settings on the rollator handles so as to avoid discomfort or strain on shoulders.
- Encourage regular use of the equipment in order to establish confidence in the use of the tool along with developing muscle memory.
Conclusion
No longer delay waiting for miracles that inevitably mean delayed protection. A rollator is not indicative of defeat rather it represents a bridge between current mobility issues and future active lifestyle activities. Combine rollator use with appropriate home equipment usage your senior loved one will have the capability to move safely and live free from fear.