Active Aging And Elderly Mobility Problems

The buzz words for senior citizens today are “active aging.” Active aging means that we remain active and strong in our later years to prevent the loss of mobility. Loss of mobility in seniors can drastically change their lifestyle, and some may never recover. But, a daily health plan that includes a healthy diet and exercises designed to keep joints moving and the mind sharp can help us stay mobile. Far into our senior years. How’s that for an incentive?

Elderly mobility problems can quickly become a mobility disability. It will affect more than getting around. A mobility problem can drastically alter the emotional state of the person. People that lose their mobility are more likely to become depressed. If the depression becomes long-term, it can be tough to overcome and lead to many other issues. There are many things older adults will endure as they get older. Once mobility problems escalate into an extreme mobility disability, there is seldom a reversal. But don’t that keep you from trying.

Seniors slowly lose the ability to control many facets of their life. They often have their driver’s license taken away, which is a big deal. It may be because of reaction time, vision problems, or even Alzheimer’s disease. Not being able to drive and go where and when they like cuts down on their activity.

Some form of exercise and incorporating a flexibility routine should be a priority for everyone, including the healthy elderly population. Keeping active is a significant factor in overall healthy aging. It makes life better for the individual and much easier for those that take care of them. The less strength, flexibility, and mobility a person has, the more likely they will become injured. Older people who are injured are at high risk of being hurt again even before they can recover and fully heal from the first injury.

As we age, we lose flexibility, muscle, and bone – and our strength may falter. These losses may mean losing mobility and independence and becoming fragile at risk for falls and fractures, plus other diseases associated with aging. But, don’t be discouraged about those disheartening facts of getting older.

Regular exercise – emphasize regular – such as strength training (weights), flexibility (stretching), aerobics (for cardio health), and balance can significantly reduce your risk for mobility loss. Even if you already have a certain amount of mobility loss or health problems. There are things you can do to improve your well-being and fitness level.

Older adults can exercise the rear, lower back, and thighs by performing chair squats by holding on to the back of a sturdy chair and squatting. Then they can steady themselves as they get back up using the chair as support. Put another chair behind them, so they can sit down if they can’t get back up. If they are strong enough, they can squat down until they touch the seat. Having a chair in front to hold onto for stability and another chair they can squat into will provide some safety.

Seniors can do standing leg curls by curling their leg to the back while standing. Raise one leg at a time to the side to strengthen your legs and thighs. Stand on your tip-toes to improve strength and build muscles in your calves, ankles, and feet. Do these exercises in several repetitions 3 or 4 days per week.

If you’re new to exercise, begin slowly and build your endurance by exercising regularly. Suppose you’re unsure about how to start or which activities you can do without causing harm to your body. You may want to consult a physical therapist or a fitness trainer. Let Them provide the appropriate exercise guidelines for your level of fitness.

Cardiovascular exercises, like swimming, rapid walking, or jogging, might be beyond your ability at present. Rather than spending 30 minutes or an hour at a time at these strenuous exercises, try breaking them up into several 10 minute periods. Even a five-minute walk around the house or down the street is better than nothing and can make a difference.

Just realize that the absolute minimum of aerobic activity to keep you fit and reduce the risk of mobility loss is 30 minutes per day, five days a week. You also need to work strength training into your schedule. The advantage that strength training adds to your overall fitness plan is impressive. You’ll increase muscle mass, become more stable when you stand or walk, and be more able to perform daily chores.

When you exercise, the goal you should have in mind is to increase your mobility and strength. To become fit rather than frail. If you haven’t exercised in a while, start just doing a little. Just because you’re strong enough to do more, don’t push it.

Remember, if you do too much too fast after a few days of exercising, you may feel like you did too much too soon. Don’t exhaust yourself starting. Save some for the next workout. Let your body adjust and get accustomed to your exercise routine before you add more to it.

Your body will respond to exercise regardless of your age. My father was able to build muscle and improve in his 90’s. Exercise is a way to push back the aging process and remain young both in mind and body.

What looks to you like a mobility problem may be a vision problem. If the person looks at the floor immediately in front of their feet with their head bent down. Vision may be a problem. Walking like this may also affect balance.

Proper nutrition is just as important as mobility. Get the best nutrition you can afford without causing financial hardship. Do the best you can with what you have. Start doing it if you can grow berries, fruit, and vegetables. Buy organic whenever you can to increase nutrition and avoid pesticides. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of avoiding pesticides. Use 100% plant-based vitamin and mineral supplements; they work the best. Get a juicer and make your fresh fruit and vegetable juices.

Even healthy seniors sometimes refuse to tell you they have a problem with something. Even if you ask them, you may have to be a detective and go by what you see rather than what they tell you. If you are taking care of an elderly family member, note their usual mannerisms, reactions, likes, dislikes, and movements.

It will be easy to detect a change if you know what is normal. Check it out immediately before it becomes severe if a problem is detected. Everything is much easier to treat if treated when it first starts. If in doubt, check it out.

If you are really out of shape, have severe balance problems, or an orthopedic condition, get your doctor’s OK before exercising. He may want restrict you to exercising while sitting in chair.