How to Help Someone With Mobility Issues

Mobility issues can affect anyone at any stage of their life, and are more common as we age, which makes performing daily tasks challenging and isolating. When supporting a loved one with mobility issues, it’s important to understand how you can assist them to be more independent and comfortable at home.

In this article, we will explore what the most common issues are and how you can access mobility support.

What are mobility issues?

Mobility issues refer to the difficulties or limitations individuals have with performing everyday activities. Physical difficulties or movement impairments make it hard to complete tasks freely without pain, limitation or discomfort. Movement difficulties may arise for many different reasons including medical conditions, injuries or age. 

Typical things like getting in and out of bed, brushing your teeth, walking and getting dressed can be seriously impacted by reduced mobility. As a result, home adaptations or additional support at home might be required.

The most common types of mobility issues include arthritis, which impacts movement and causes pain and stiffness in the joints; neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, which affect coordination; and chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, which cause widespread pain throughout the body.

What are some causes of mobility issues?

A wide range of factors including injuries, disabilities, medical conditions or age-related changes can affect mobility, including, but not exclusive to:

Neurological conditions

• Stroke - A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain has been cut off which can cause damage. This can lead to paralysis or weakness in one side of the body, for which an individual will need everyday support. Strokes are most common among people over the age of 70.

• Parkinson’s - A person with Parkinson’s can experience a wide range of psychological and physical symptoms, which can lead to tremors and slow movement of the body, as well as stiff and inflexible muscles.
• Cerebral Palsy - This is the collective name for a group of disorders which impact movement, which is manifested in poor coordination, stiff muscles, tremors and weakening muscles.

Elderly Mobility Issues

As you get older, you may experience age-related changes to your body and vision that could impact your mobility. These changes can vary from person to person, but some of the most common age-related mobility changes include:

• Osteoporosis - Osteoporosis is a condition that can reduce bone density. This weakens the bones making you more susceptible to fractures, significantly impacting your mobility.

• Arthritis - Conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis become more common with age and can result in joint pain, swelling, and loss of mobility.
• Alzheimer’s Disease - One in every four people over the age of 60 will experience Alzheimer’s, a progressive brain disorder which affects how we think, our attitudes and behaviours and what we remember or recall.

Injuries

As we age, we are more prone to injuries due to potentially weakened bones or muscles. Severe injuries can lead to mobility issues that might be difficult to recover from and require extensive rehabilitation.

• Falls and slips - These are most likely to occur in the elderly and are typically influenced by hazards such as wet floors or uneven surfaces. The likelihood of a fall or slip occurring increases with reduced mobility and can result in bruising, broken bones and fractures.

• Spinal cord injury - Typically formed as a result of trauma, such as a car crash, spinal cord injuries can damage the vertebrae of the spine which leads to intense pain. In some instances, spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis and a loss of sensitivity to the back and limbs.

• Tendinitis - An inflammation of the tendons, tendinitis occurs when parts of the body, such as hands, feet, wrists and shoulders, begin to swell, usually as a result of being overworked for prolonged periods. Tendinitis reduces dexterity and can make it difficult to support oneself physically.

• Bursitis - Between each of the bones is a sac of fluid, known as a bursa, which helps to lubricate our joints, keeping us agile and flexible. Bursitis occurs when these bursas are inflamed, causing pain and stiffness to the affected joint. If left untreated, chronic bursitis can develop and therapy is necessary in order to reduce its severity.

Supporting someone with mobility issues

Supporting someone with mobility issues goes beyond providing practical solutions, it requires a level of empathy, patience and additional help. This fosters a level of understanding and an awareness of an individual’s needs, empowering them to feel connected, listened to and cared for.

Patience

It’s important to practise patience when supporting someone with mobility issues. Everyday tasks are likely to require additional time and shouldn’t be met with frustrations. Sometimes being hurried can lead to the possibility of an accident occurring. A relaxed, calming environment is more conducive of a positive atmosphere and a happier, healthier relationship, vital when supporting someone. 

Understanding their needs

To provide effective support, you need to understand the specific needs of a person with mobility issues, taking time to consider their routines, habits and preferences. By being mindful of their unique requirements and fostering strong communication, you can help to create a safer, more accessible environment. This understanding also enables you to offer proactive support, helping them feel comfortable, valued and genuinely cared for.

Seek medical expertise

Consulting with a healthcare professional and understanding when medical expertise is required is also an important step to consider when supporting someone with mobility issues. Professionals, such as doctors or physiotherapists can assess a range of different needs relating to physical limitations, suitable treatments and recommended exercises.

Explore assistive aids

Assistive aids, like walking frames, grab bars or wheelchairs can be transformative for a person with reduced mobility. They help individuals to better navigate their own environments with increased confidence and independence.

Consider the areas of the home that might be limiting, such as the bathroom. Research the types of assistive aids that provide better support and reduce the risk of injury.

Our guide to helping those with mobility issues

While mobility issues can affect people of all ages and backgrounds, there are various solutions that can be easily addressed, reducing the challenges associated with them. Here is our guide to helping those with mobility issues.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy, or physiotherapy, is a great way for people with mobility issues to regain strength and flexibility. It helps to manage pain and improve movement with regular exercises which encourage the development and growth of muscle.

Physical therapy targets different areas of the body that might otherwise be impacted by reduced mobility and can help reduce swelling and inflammation. Types of physical therapy can include strength training, hot and cold therapy, massages and hydrotherapy.

Mobility Aids

Mobility aids are great solutions to mobility issues an individual may be facing. For instance, a rise and recline chair can help with blood circulation, arthritis, COPD and many other health issues you’re facing. 

Another mobility aid is an adjustable bed, which offers many sleeping positions for you to rest comfortably and naturally, contributing to more restorative sleep, whilst improving blood circulation.Home AccessibilityTo make the home more accessible, a few changes might need to be considered. For example, the installation of ramps or lifts at entrances allow you to have an easy entry and exit. Widening doorways supports wheelchair access, while strategically placed grab bars in bathrooms and hallways provide additional support.

Non-slip flooring reduces the risk of falls, and lower countertops in kitchens and bathrooms improve accessibility. Organising areas for easy reach and enhancing lighting for safety are also beneficial adjustments.

Staying Active

Activities for individuals with mobility issues include gentle exercises like seated stretches and wheelchair-based conditioning. It’s important to stay active because it maintains physical strength and flexibility, therefore, reducing the risk of further health issues. Staying active can help improve well-being, confidence, and independence too.

Some of the best examples of exercise for those with limited mobility include; resistance band exercises, which use a large elastic band to perform bicep curls, seated rows or leg presses. Strength training can be undertaken using household cupboard essentials, like raising and lowering tins of soup, while comfortably sitting in a chair.

How Oak Tree Mobility can help with mobility solutions

If you’re looking for additional mobility solutions, you might want to consider purchasing a rise and recline chair, adjustable bed or bath lift. At Oak Tree Mobility, we have over 16 years of experience supporting people with mobility issues, helping them to regain their independence, sleep better and feel more comfortable and relaxed in their home. You can find out more about our range of lifestyle products which benefit those with reduced mobility by requesting your FREE brochure.

Want to know how to get further support for someone with mobility issues? You can contact your GP, local council, social worker, or speak to friends and family. Additionally, you can also contact Citizens Advice for further guidance.