Seniors and Mobility

By Eric Weinstein - 2008-05-24 Find more articles like this in our Seniors and Elderly Health category.

Email article

Print

Our quality of life depends on many factors: social, financial, physical. The later years of our lives should be a time of recreation, relaxation, and reflection on a life lived well. As we all know, this kind of experience takes planning.

Besides managing our money, family and friends, we have to manage our health in order to live this time to the fullest. Of course, there are any number of health problems that can arise as we age, and they can affect our quality of life. One of the greatest challenges we face as seniors is our battle to remain mobile. Not only is a loss of mobility a blow to one's quality of life, it may have a snowball affect on your overall health.

Recent studies are linking a lack of mobility to an increase in other health problems. Researchers are finding that as seniors become less active, they tend to suffer further health deterioration that interferes with daily living. In a paper published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, mobility was definitively recognized as a key factor affecting the Health-Related-Quality-of-Life of older Americans.

The Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Pilot study, consisted of a controlled, randomized trial of 424 older adults.

The study compared the effectiveness of physical versus non-exercise health interventions with at-risk seniors. Among many fascinating discoveries, the study concluded that health-interventions targeting mobility could have a much greater impact on the overall health of seniors than was previously thought. When paired with past research - that demonstrates that loss of mobility results in loss of independence, nursing home admission and accelerated mortality - these new insights demonstrate a direct correlation between mobility, and the maintenance of quality and quantity of life.

What To Do?

We all know that a rolling stone gathers no moss. It may be a silly metaphor, but the more active we remain, the more mobility we maintain. Essentially, exercise allows us to maintain muscular strength as well as bone-density. Not only do these factors keep us upright and strong, they can help prevent - and protect us from - the kind of bone fractures that result from falling in our older years. But what if you already have compromised mobility?

Perhaps you have already been affected by a condition that is affecting your mobility. That's no reason why you can't maximize the mobility you are still capable of. In fact, with a little dedication and patience, you may even regain some of your lost mobility in the process.

For many seniors, any loss of mobility can be demoralizing, and using a walking aid may be a serious blow to one's vanity and pride.

However - as we have shown - loss of mobility leads directly to more serious health deterioration, and must be minimized as much as possible. Luckily, there are a number of products available to seniors who may need an extra hand getting around.

For many seniors, a simple cane can provide needed stability while also allowing one to maintain their mobility for years to come. However, canes aren't what they used to be. Devices like The Able Tripod Cane are equipped with a new-and-improved tripod base that gives much more assistance than a standard cane, while still maintaining the discreet profile of a classic. The same cane is available in a handsome dress version that can add a dash of sophistication to any outing.

Some seniors complain about the "one-handedness" that results when walking with a cane. How can one shop for groceries or browse a store with only one hand available to carry goods? Smart seniors kill two birds with one stone using innovative products like a Transit Cart, or a Compact Sit-Down Shopping Cart. Both of these sturdy, stylish carts insure active, confident mobility as well as convenience when shopping, gardening, or getting the mail. Instead of feeling "one-handed," these formidable four-wheelers actually provide you with an extra pair of hands, whether you need a hand up, or a hand with the chores.

When it comes to your health, your doctor is one of your best allies. Always consult your doctor regarding any mobility issue, and don't forget that the best way to stay active, is to stay mobile!