Mobility is extremely important for elderly people, but it can also be a major challenge. As people reach old age, they may find it increasingly difficult to get around by themselves. This can be very frustrating and even dangerous if the senior is unable to complete day-to-day activities, such as travel from home to a doctor’s office or a treatment center.
Luckily, there are many things that elderly people and their caregivers can do to increase mobility, See here. Some of these strategies include:
Regular Exercise
Working out and staying active is one of the most important ways to maintain mobility as we get older. Exercises like light walking, stretching, and strengthening activities can help keep muscles strong and joints flexible, which both help to reduce stiffness and discomfort. In addition, maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent the development of painful conditions, like arthritis, that often cause mobility issues in older adults.
Staying Mentally Engaged
In addition to physical activity, staying mentally engaged and keeping the mind active is also important for maintaining good mobility as we age. Activities like reading, playing games or puzzles, participating in social activities and organizations, or using technology can all help to keep the mind sharp, which in turn can improve mobility.
Look For Medical Care
If a senior is experiencing difficulty with mobility, it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible. A doctor can assess the person’s condition and may recommend various treatments, including physical or occupational therapy. These treatments can help to improve mobility and overall quality of life, while also reducing the risk of falls or injuries that can lead to further mobility problems.
Change the Living Space to Be More Mobile Friendly
There are many small changes that can be made to a senior’s living space to create a more comfortable, accessible area. Some ideas include:
- Installing handrails and other safety devices
- Choosing furniture that is easy to move
- Installing grab bars and non-slip flooring
- Considering universal design features
A little design work can go a long way. Adding support rails not just in the shower and bathroom (which is naturally the first place many of us think of for these) but to hallways, making sure any stairs have a solid railing, or to other rooms can give additional support anywhere in the house where balance might be tricky.
Focus On Health
This means eating healthy, looking at balance and mobility exercises, and finding the right mobility walker, scooter, or other medical balancing device. Health is incredibly important and many times someone with limited ability find that low impact stretches and exercises can drastically increase mobility over time. Not only in what they can do but also have less pain, stress, or discomfort in doing so.
A good diet keeps the bones and muscles healthy, lessens the chance of weight gain, and will help maximize the benefits of exercise and any other mobility exercises or activities.
Shop For Walking Aids
There are so many different types and styles of canes, walkers, support rails, benches, etc. Don’t just settle for the first one someone recommends but actually test them out to see which one the person is most comfortable with.
The right walking aids might make a huge difference in how comfortable a person is and how well they can balance.
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