A Holistic Wellness Guide for the Disabled and Elderly People

Health and wellness take center stage at some point during life’s journey. Neglecting health and prioritizing work, family, and other things during the prime time of life can bring health hazards. Maintaining a balance is the key to a healthy mind and body. A good balance in diet and lifestyle can significantly change one’s life, yielding positive results and averting health-related issues. The virtue of good health is understood when we face some kind of physical or mental ailments. With old age and ailments, an individual realizes the value of maintaining good health as health deteriorates.

Care and compassion play a vital role in wellness.

Health issues can be physical, mental, neurological, or psychological. In each case, the level of suffering depends on age, health condition, genetics, and various other factors. Most of the time, if the underlying reason is diagnosed and treated on time, health can be revived. In some cases, the person suffers from long-term or life-long illness. The family and dear ones play a significant role in this phase. With utmost care and treatment, the suffering can be reduced to a great extent. So, the family members and caregivers must assess the situation, have patience, and do their best to comfort the ailing person.

Physical inabilities leading to mental stress

Often, people suffering from physical ailments or inabilities tend to suffer from mental issues. Prolonged suffering and inability to lead an everyday life can cause tremendous stress that can cause mental instability. Individuals who have shown an independent life are often unable to cope with the challenges that come with disability. Sometimes, they might lose interest in living because of the dependency dilemma. This may cause further harm to the individual’s health condition. The caregivers can play a vital role in keeping their spirits alive and feel valued.

Here are a few tips to make the disabled and elderly feel better despite their suffering.

Communication: Communication is the key to wellness in most cases. The more interactive the individual is, the better. Even if the person is constantly complaining about his pain and suffering, that should be listened to. It isn’t a good sign when an elderly or disabled person feels dejected and stops communicating. When engaging with someone who is disabled or elderly, remember to be patient and attentive. Allow them ample time to express themselves, and when they do, actively listen without interruption. Show empathy by acknowledging their feelings and experiences, which can help them feel valued and understood. Encourage open and honest dialogue, as it can foster trust and strengthen your relationship with them.

Recreation: As the disabled person is restricted to spending more time at home, several modes of recreation can help him feel better. Try to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions at home, inviting friends and relatives. If possible, make travel plans with the disabled person. When it comes to travel, many Disability Friendly devices can enrich your travel experience. These lightweight and portable electric wheelchairs are your ultimate travel mate.

Engagement: The disabled person needs to keep engaged. Encourage him to follow his passions and hobbies. It can be gardening, knitting, reading books, playing the piano, or anything else the person loves to do. Kids and pets also help them engage and remain active. If there is a social community for the elderly or disabled, it is an excellent option for engagement. The individual will feel more comfortable spending time with people facing similar challenges in life.

Medical Checkups: Health checkups from time to time is an absolute necessity. Never miss an appointment with the doctor, or do not neglect any signs of deterioration, as that might elevate the issues further.  If the individual needs 24×7 care and the family cannot provide that, it is advisable to appoint a professional caregiver or a trained nurse.

Physiotherapy or counseling: Yoga and physiotherapy sessions can benefit people dealing with immobility. It strengthens their mind and body, improves blood circulation, and induces positivity. These sessions can also help with issues like sleeplessness, loss of breath, etc. Counseling sessions can be helpful if the person is dealing with specific mental or psychological issues. Additionally, these therapies can be adapted and tailored to suit the individual’s unique needs and abilities, making them inclusive and effective tools for individuals with disabilities. Collaborating with trained professionals who specialize in these therapies can provide personalized support and guidance for the best possible outcomes. Physiotherapy is a vital tool for disabled individuals to increase mobility and strength.

Accessibility: Last but not least, to make the person comfortable moving around independently, we can make some arrangements at home. Apart from investing in assistive devices to help with mobility, we can build ramps and widen the doors and the entryway. Additionally, carriers or lifts can be installed inside the home for easy access.

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