5 signs It’s Time to Get Your Parent a Stairlift
No one likes to think about their mom, dad or other loved one growing older. Because of this, it is easy to miss the little signs that these special people may need assistance—assistance like a stairlift. However, around 10 million Americans currently care for their parents and as author Carson McCullers said: “the closest thing to being cared for, is to care for someone else.” You may need to begin watching for a few signs of the problem yourself. If your mom or dad is struggling to climb the stairs every day, they are risking a potentially serious accident or injury. In fact, 2.5 million older people are treated in emergency rooms each year because of fall injuries. To help prevent these situations from becoming a danger to your loved one, we have put together a list of five signs that it is time to get your parent a stairlift.
- Your Parent Avoids Taking the Stairs – The biggest, and most visible, sign that your parent needs some help with the stairs is that he or she avoids taking them. Has mom or dad started sleeping on the couch or avoiding spending time in the rooms upstairs? Sleep.org states that sleeping on the sofa can throw the spine out of alignment and lead to aches and pains. Or perhaps the other end of the spectrum is true—does your mom or dad stay upstairs in the bedroom area as much as possible?
- Lack of Housekeeping – If your mom or dad has always kept a neat house and now the home is a bit messy or dusty, it could be the stairs that are getting in the way. While you do not want to put any pressure on your parent to do more than they feel up to doing, if you can help mom or dad get up and down the stairs easier, you could turn housework an enjoyable chore, rather than a source of dread.
- Complaints About the Home – If your mom or dad seems to be complaining about the place they call home, it may be time to chat about the situation. If you have any siblings or other family members are involved in decision making, make sure they are available for the discussion too. Talking about making a big change like adding a stairlift (or having your mom or dad move to a different location) is not something should be decided overnight. Making sure that everyone is on the same page is vital.
- Doesn’t Want Anyone to See Him or Her on the Stairs – If your parent is having trouble on the stairs, one coping mechanism may be to avoid going up and down the steps when other people
are visiting. If you find that your mom or dad avoids taking the steps when you are at the house, it could be that it is time to find a new solution. Sit down and talk about the issue. Chatting candidly about the problem is always important, and it can give you a better idea of what your next step should be. - Any Falls – If your mom or dad is stumbling, falling or tripping—even if it’s not while they are on the stairs—it could be time to look at finding a better solution. While a small fall on a flat surface may be a minor inconvenience, a fall on the stairs could be a big problem. According to the CDC, falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury—which could be detrimental to life in a senior. Act today and protect your parent from an injury that could land them in the hospital or harm their ability to do the things they love.
Author Tia Walker stated: “To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.” If you have noticed any of these signs with someone you love, now is the time to invest in a stairlift. Today’s stairlifts are nothing like you might be imagining. They are modern, attractive and most of all they make life more convenient for your loved one. To learn more call us today for a free consultation at (703) 396-4949. We would love to help you improve life for the most important people in your life.
