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When you are the primary caregiver for your elderly parents, you will encounter a lot of challenges. You might find them not wanting to move around much, even if it’s necessary for their health. So what do you do when elderly parents refuse to walk?
When elderly parents refuse to walk, the first step is understanding their reasons for choosing lesser body mobility. You must treat them like the adults they are and listen to them. Their refusal may be rooted in physical or mental health concerns that must be addressed immediately.
To better understand your elderly parents’ situation, we will dive right into why they may choose not to walk and how to deal with it. We will also look through some old-age-friendly mobility aids available to help your old folks be on their feet with confidence. Let us begin!
Why Do Some Elderly Parents Refuse To Walk?
As people age, their physical abilities wane, making it hard for them to walk like their younger counterparts. They might need help walking or slowing themselves down to avoid physical pains or falls. Understanding these issues will aid you or their caregivers give them a helping hand.
The following are some of the many reasons why your parents might be denying your desire to see them walk normally:
Dementia
If your parents have dementia, it might be hard for them to move around. And the reason behind it is their difficulty communicating. People with illnesses like Alzheimer’s and dementia have problems finding the right words to express their thoughts.
For example, if their age or any injury causes physical pain while walking, a dementia patient might not be able to communicate it. They might not be able to specify where it hurts when they walk and simply refuse to walk.
You’ll probably see such difficulty with communication conditions in the latter stages of dementia. A difficulty communicating pain is an indicator that your elderly parents might need a caregiver or formal assisted living so they can get the help they deserve.
Their Daily Medications
Various kinds of allopathic medications might limit mobility or affect it. These medicines generally fall under the following categories:
Anticonvulsant Medications
Anticonvulsant medications are prescribed to patients suffering from:
- Mania
- Seizures
- Bipolar 1 disorder
- Prophylaxis of migraine headaches and many other ailments.
Sedatives
Sedatives are primarily used for slowing down the nervous systems to help treat:
- Anxiety disorder
- Withdrawal syndromes from alcohol consumption
- Seizures
- Tension
- Panic disorder
It helps to calm the nerves and calm the patient down from mental and emotional distress.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics for patients are usually to help with:
- Paranoia
- Incoherent and muddled talking
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Excess confusion
Myopathy
If your aged parents suffer from muscular myopathy, they have muscle fiber dysfunction, which limits their motions. So they might feel weak and uneasy about walking too much. If your parents are reluctant about walking, ask them if they experience things like:
- Irregular muscle spasms
- Muscle cramps
- Muscle stiffness
They Are Suffering From Arthritis
Arthritis causes the joints to swell up and pain intensely, making it hard to move around. It makes the joints stiff and gets more severe for older people. Osteoarthritis is a form of the disease due to the joint cartilage deteriorating and thinning down. Due to this, higher frictions within the joint are painful to move around with.
Tips To Help Your Elderly Parents Who Refuse To Walk
Once you’ve understood why your parents are refusing to walk, it is time to help them out. Remember, aging is a complicated process, especially if your parents have crossed their 60s. Your parents might need your emotional and physical support to work through aging and walking problems.
Here are some ways you can aid your parents personally and through professional help to feel confident on their toes:
Buy Them Walking and Mobility Aids
During the initial phases of your parents fearing to walk, help them with assisted mobility. There are various mobility devices in the market with safety technologies for senior citizens. When buying these devices and appliances, keep two criteria in mind:
- Stability
- Mobility
These devices should also have tons of safety options, especially for patients with dementia and Alzheimers.
You can go for a simple walker with push-button safety and stability mechanisms. These medical walkers come with padded grips, so your parents’ hands will not slip. A fine example would be the Drive Medical 10200 Folding Walker (available on Amazon.com).
Whichever mobility aid device you choose, prioritize your parents’ sense of independence. They should not feel helpless and weak while using a mobility aid. A perfect device would be something like the Stander EZ Fold-N-Go Rollator (available on Amazon.com). It is a foldable and lightweight walker with enough space for your aged parents to stall their belongings like:
- Their phones
- Bags
- Water bottle, etc.
You can keep them in the walker’s pouch areas and ensure that your folks feel safe using them. These appliances are crucial for helping parents regain confidence in their walks without worrying about their ailments.
If you’re unsure whether getting a walker is the right choice, you should read my other guide where I discuss the signs that indicate an elderly may need a walker. 13 Signs It’s Time for the Elderly to Use a Walker
Opt for Physical Therapy
Opt for physical therapy consultations for aged parents who lost their ability to walk properly due to ailments or injuries. Physical therapy improves flexibility and muscle strength, helping your old folks regain their confidence and balance.
Before opting for physical therapy, you should always talk to your parents’ doctors. Ask your parents if they wish to seek physical therapy at home or prefer to move to assisted living for a complete care package.
Check their timetable for your parents, their progress, and if you need to hire a caregiver to help your aging parent stay safe.
Opt for a Medical Evaluation
As we mentioned, aging individuals lose their ability to walk freely due to various health concerns and other circumstances. Some of these health concerns, such as osteoarthritis, need proper diagnosis and evaluation before trying to make your folk walk.
Seek a reliable doctor for X-rays and reports to better understand your parent’s mobility issues. If the doctor opts for treatment, go for it to help your parents get back on their feet. It is excellent to help aging parents know you are there for them.
Conclusion
Always be there for your aged parents when they refuse to walk. Talk to your aged parents at home and spend time with them to check their needs. Seek their doctor’s help and ask for safety and precautions services through home care associations and caregivers. Support your parents in their confusion and ordeal, so they are confident about walking!
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