Families are complex. Some family members have wonderful health and are still bicycling into their 80s. Others may have lost the support of their loved ones and have developed health and mobility problems.
Europe
Most people who are familiar with mainland Europe will be aware of the respect and love received by all family members. In the UK the concept of the extended family is gaining ground but all too often the British ‘stiff upper lip’ precludes family members asking for help from their kin.
If this is the case in your family then why not host a family get together and see if any of the older members are having problems moving about. At one of these family meals we discovered that an older relative had become started to develop mobility problems and so we clubbed together to investigate renting a stairlift for my uncle.
Rental is somehow easier to accept than an outright purchase and this option also offers the possibility that the person you are trying to help can make a contribution to the monthly rental instalment, if they wish.
GPs
The older and frailer family members should go to their local GP and ask them to carry out a risk assessment. Falls are always a huge worry for the entire family and a visit to the doctor could help get certain relations the support they need.
Communication is vital too. No one wants to see any elderly relative spending their days in a care home so it’s important that everyone talks to each other in order to help older uncles, aunts and cousins retain their independence.
Aid and Assistance
In our family we have used the services of a community alarm. This wonderful advice means that if a fall does occur, then the patient will not be left on their own and in discomfort for very long. The centralised dispatch centre will be able to talk to the relative through the alarm’s central communication device any time that the portable pendent is triggered by a fall or any other medical emergency.
Other help around the house consists of bars and a ramp and stairs are not longer a problem after we looked at renting a stairlift for my uncle.
Everyday
Fear plays a major factor in getting older. Both mental and physical disabilities can prove to provoke a debilitating effect and it’s important that these fears are addressed. Most towns in the UK have a branch of Age UK and it might be a good idea to accompany any concerned relative for an informal chat with one of the charity’s counsellors.
Alternatively, if you are worried that your relative’s fears are genuine, leave your telephone number with a responsible neighbour and ask them to contact you should the problems increase. The saying that ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ is very true and lines of communication between family members and friends should always be kept open.
