Mobility and Aging
Mobility and aging are directly related in that the common changes that occur when a person ages often leads to problems with mobility. These problems can include being unsteady on your feet as you stand or walk around, difficulty in getting in and out of a chair, or an increased risk for falling, especially in the shower. The common changes that come with old age are muscle weakness, joint problems, neurological difficulties, and disease, and all of these can contribute to mobility problems.
Perhaps the most common mobility problem that plagues the elderly is the high risk of suffering a fall. The problem is compounded by the fact that falls often cause bruises, broken bones, and a constant fear of falling. Needless to say, older bones break a lot more easily than younger ones and they heal a lot more slowly and not as completely. In fact, falls are counted among the major causes of injury and death worldwide, which makes it doubly important to execute preventive measures.
Among the best ways to address the problem of mobility and aging is to identify possible fall hazards in your home and eliminate them. It’s a sad fact that a lot of older people suffer from falls due to unsafe conditions in their own home. When you’re in the process of identifying possible hazards, you should pay close attention to the bathroom because this has been identified as the place in the home where 70% of falls occur. Install safety features such as rubber mats, handrails, and non-slip shower chairs. These devices can easily be purchased from your local medical equipment store.
Another effective way to deal with the issue of mobility and aging is to help the elderly members of your family stay physically active. Following a regular exercise program can help strengthen the muscles and improve the flexibility of older individuals. With increased strength and flexibility, an older person will be better able to keep his or her balance and avoid a fall. It may be best to ask your doctor what exercises are recommended for the elderly members of your family.
If, in spite of your preventive measures, your elderly loved ones are still suffering from a worsening mobility problem, you would do well to seek advice from your doctor. Tell him exactly what the problem is, what you have done so far, and what the results have been, if any. You should also seek immediate medical assistance if the elderly has experienced a major fall, such as when his legs suddenly gave out and he landed hard on his back, side, or head. Bring the elderly to your doctor for evaluation even if he does not show any signs of injury. It is always better to err on the side of caution.
Other instances when you should seek immediate assistance from your doctor include when an older person loses consciousness after a fall, complains of pain in the hip or groin after a fall, or exhibits symptoms like fever, coughing, or breathing difficulties. It is important to consult your doctor in these instances because falls can sometimes be caused by serious medical conditions like heart problems and diabetes. As long as you take the necessary preventive measures and seek medical attention when needed, mobility and aging should not really be much cause for concern.
