Managing Senior Mobility Problems in Vancouver, BC

Vancouver Senior Home Care  |  April 16, 2025

What Every Family Needs to Know About Assistance for Seniors with Mobility Issues

What do you need to know about senior mobility problems? Mobility issues, such as unsteadiness, difficulty getting in and out of a chair, and falls, can be caused by a number of factors. These include muscle weakness, joint problems, pain, disease, neurological problems, and aging.

Sometimes, several minor issues can combine to affect mobility. These issues can have a significant impact on a person’s life, even to the point of determining whether they can live at home or require a facility.

#DYK – Mobility is a serious safety issue. Within a year, 20% of people with hip fractures die from complications.

The primary mobility problem that older people experience is falls. Falls are a major cause of injury and death, so prevention is important. Older bones break more easily, heal less quickly, and may not heal completely. If a hip is fractured, canes, walkers, or wheelchairs might be permanently needed. If the senior is afraid of falling, address it, or he or she may become afraid to move around.

Doctors often check for heart and lung problems, and screening for mobility can be put off, or even overlooked. This can be surprising, since tests for mobility can be relatively simple. With the “Get Up and Go Test”, a person is asked to stand up from sitting in a chair, walk 10 feet, turn around, walk back to the chair, and sit down. How long it takes and how steady the person is can then be noted. 

Another way is just to watch how quickly people walk. They should walk faster than a yard per second. If you walk that or faster, you’re in the normal range; if you’re slower, you may have a gait problem, which increases the chances of falling. An approach University of Alabama researchers use is to ask two simple questions:

Ask the Senior In Your Life These Questions:

1. Do you have difficulty climbing up 10 steps or walking one-quarter of a mile?
2. Have you modified the way you climb 10 steps or walk a quarter of a mile?

These questions can be asked prior to testing. A senior probably knows if he or she is having trouble climbing stairs ─ and walking one-quarter of a mile is equal to one lap around a medium-sized mall’s upper level.

11 Ways to Help Prevent Senior Mobility Problems:

#1. Stay Active:

 A regular program of exercise can strengthen muscles and improve flexibility. With increased strength and balance, a senior is better able to maneuver and avoid a potential fall.

#2. Maintain a Healthy Weight and a Healthy Diet:

It’s simply easier to get around without carrying extra weight, and there is less stress on bones and joints.

#3. Check the Possible Influence of Medications:

Prescription and over-the-counter medicines, herbal or other remedies can result in drowsiness or distraction, which can lead to falls. If medications affect your balance or alertness, discuss a lower dose or different medicine with a physician.

#4. Identify Fall Hazards in the Home and Eliminate Them:

Pay special attention to safety equipping the bathroom and kitchen. Use rubber appliqués or mats, raised toilet seats, and handrails where necessary. Clear the home of clutter and loose rugs or wires. Good lighting is essential; use night-lights in bathrooms, hallways, and, if needed, the bedroom.

#5. Ask the Doctor About Walking Aids:

If a senior is just a little bit unsteady on his or her feet, a cane or walker can be used. Skip the drugstore, and first check with a doctor or physical therapist to find out what type is needed. A physical therapist will make sure the cane or walker is adjusted to the right height, and can teach the senior how to use it.

#6. Test Vision and Hearing Regularly:

Seeing poorly or not hearing well can cause mobility problems and lead to falls. A senior should be extra careful with new bifocal or tri-focal eyeglasses.

#7. Make Sure Proper Footwear is Worn: 

Sturdy, well-fitted, low- or flat-heeled shoes with good grip and support are recommended. In bad weather, exercise indoors.

#8. Create Opportunities for Socializing:

Look for community activities that keep seniors mobile. Check with local hospitals, senior centers, and community centers to see if they offer exercise or walking programs. An exercise or walking partner can help seniors stick to a program.

#9. Medical Alert Services Can Provide Peace of Mind:

If you worry about a senior having an emergency while alone, consider a medical alert service to connect him or her to help 24/7, at the push of a button.

#10. Don’t Help Too Much:

Don’t do everything for someone because you are afraid that something might happen. He or she needs to stay active and most likely prefers to remain independent.

#11. Tell the Doctor About Mobility Problems, and Mention Any Falls:

Certain diseases like arthritis can affect mobility. Risks can often be reduced if the medical condition is diagnosed and treated.

Comfort Keepers® Can Help with Senior Mobility Problems

About one-quarter of Canadians over age 65 need help with everyday activities such as eating, bathing, and getting in and out of bed or a chair. Our trained caregivers can help with these and other tasks, while providing companionship. Comfort Keepers can also have someone perform home safety assessments to identify fall hazards, and make recommendations to improve safety. 

The Best Senior Home Care Provider in Vancouver, BC, is Comfort Keepers®

Many families prefer Comfort Keepers® when arranging senior home care services for a loved one in or around Vancouver, British Columbia. 

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can help with 24-hour care. Comfort Keepers Vancouver also provides home care services like respite care, overnight care, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, personal care, and more! 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver Can Help with Companion Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Personal and empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our clients’ needs. Comfort Keeper’s philosophy is to elevate the human spirit, and our caregivers ensure your loved one experiences a better quality of life.

Trained caregivers help provide our senior clients with personal home care to help maintain the highest possible quality of life, keeping them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ delivers a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Bring The Best Home Care Assistance for Seniors Right Where You Live with Comfort Keepers®

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver is proud to provide elder care in homes throughout Vancouver, keeping seniors safe in their homes. We provide home care for the seniors of Vancouver and the surrounding areas of Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Richmond. Please call (604) 689-8609. 

Personal Care and Senior Homecare in Vancouver, BC

Learn more about our unique service, which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers® Vancouver office.

Accredited and Quality Respite Care Available 24/7 for British Columbia Families

Accreditation Canada has awarded Comfort Keepers® Vancouver with Exemplary Standing. This designation is only achieved after an organization’s policies, procedures, and processes undergo a thorough evaluation by industry experts to ensure they meet or exceed the stringent quality standards set by Accreditation Canada for Home Care companies.

References:

• HealthinAging.org. “Eldercare at Home: Mobility Problems”. Web. 2016.
• AgingCare.com. “Elderly & Senior Mobility Problems”.  Web. 2016
• Care.com. “Caring for Seniors with Mobility Problems”. Web. 2016.
• Harvard Health Publications, Harvard Medical School. Web. 2013.

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