Caring for Mentally Alert Seniors with Physical Limitations

Being physically limited while mentally alert can be especially difficult. There are ways to cope with this situation, though.

Many people feel that their brains stay young even as their bodies age. Physical challenges affecting mentally alert seniors can be frustrating as a result.

Many aspects of aging are challenging. The deterioration of the body is one of those challenges. For seniors who are mentally alert, coping with physical limitations can be especially difficult. There are several ways to help seniors’ mental wellbeing while they struggle with their physical health.

The Challenges of Being Alert But Limited Physically

When a person ages, they can expect to experience some deterioration. What many seniors don’t expect, though, is how difficult it can be to become physically limited while remaining mentally aware. Some compare the experience to feeling like a young person trapped in an elderly body.

Challenges that result include:

A loss of ability to participate in physical activities
Increased dependence on others for everyday life
Mental stamina that is greater than physical endurance
Frustration with desires to act that cannot be carried out
Depression from a perceived loss of purpose or independence
Anxiety over physical changes and limitations

Coping with the Physical Aging Process While Mentally Young

Since anxiety and depression can result when mentally alert seniors struggle with physical challenges, it is important to protect their emotional well-being. Coping mechanisms many seniors find helpful include:

Adopting hobbies that require mental agility but little physical effort
Using technology and tools to adapt to physical limitations
Retaining independence in whatever ways are possible
Regularly engaging socially apart from physical activity
Having access to transportation if independent driving is not possible
Participation in reasonable physical activities, especially to prevent further limitation

For many mentally strong seniors, a positive perspective can make coping with physical challenges easier. Remind seniors of the people who love them and value them. Help them focus on their purpose and pleasures. Offer a perspective of gratitude and hope instead of dwelling on limitations.

If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.

Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.

Sources:

https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/1708580/Marketing%20Monthlies/PDFs%20from%20Windfarm%20Marketing/0618-MentallyAlert-GenericRGB.pdf?t=1528838346528
https://www.senioradvice.com/articles/helping-seniors-cope-with-loss-of-independence
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20518814,00.html

Carol Pardue-Spears

Carol has worked in the healthcare field for more than forty years. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, she worked for El Camino Hospital in the cardiac unit, Los Gatos Community Hospital, The Women’s Cancer Center in Los Gatos and several home health and hospice agencies. Carol founded Family Matters in 2002 to fill a deficit she witnessed in high-quality, in-home services and care.