Help Elderly Parents Agree to a Power Chair

When elderly parents refuse help, what can family caregivers do to provide their loved ones with the personal mobility assistance they need?

Helping your elderly parent agree to use a power wheelchair may be a daunting task. But, when you consider the result will be your parent's continued safety and well-being, it will be well worth the effort.

Below are tips on how to help elderly parents explore the possibilities of power chair use, even if they refuse help initially.

How to Help Elderly Parents Accept Power Chair Use

It may be obvious to you that your parent has trouble walking without assistance. You may have noticed incidents of stumbling and/or an occasional loss of balance. You want to help, but how? Suggesting the use of an assistive device, such as a walker or power chair might be met with your parent's stubborn refusal. They may completely deny their need for any type of help at all.

Here's what you might do to counteract a parent's resistance to the idea of using a power wheel chair.

• Enlist the help of your siblings, your parent's friends,or a geriatric care manager.¹
• Be sure everyone agrees that power mobility could benefit your loved one.
• Detail for your elderly parent how a power chair enables freedom and independence.
• Focus on the positives (increased comfort; more self-reliance; safer from falls, etc).
• Don't demand they use a power chair. Let your parent make their own decision.
• Contact Hoveround. Let our mobility specialists help you help your loved ones.

Rather than viewing an assistive device as a sign of surrender and defeat, help your elderly parents understand that a power wheelchair from Hoveround could keep them empowered and in control of their own lives.

Hoveround is here to assist caregivers and their loved ones with information and tools to regain freedom and mobility. Call 800-542-7236 or get started online today.

This article is for informational purposes only. Reference to any external resource or website should not be interpreted as an endorsement or guarantee of service. Certain restrictions apply. Not available in all locations. Medicare and insurance customers must pre-qualify. Call for details.

¹A trained and licensed geriatric care manager may be able to provide professional insight and assistance to caregivers who experience difficulty with their care giving responsibilities. Contact the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers for available resources in your area.