Mobility is more than just the ability to stand up and move around. It is also a crucial component of a person’s independence and ability to take care of themselves. The common symptoms of the early stages of immobility are having problems standing up and struggling to walk for long distances. If you or your loved one is starting to experience difficulties with mobility, it is possible to take steps to slow down the progression and regain some level of movement. Here are some techniques that you can try to improve mobility in seniors.
Staying Active with Regular Exercise
Muscles require constant maintenance in order to retain your muscle mass and levels of movement. In fact, the more sedentary a person becomes, the harder it can be to regain mobility. This does not mean that you should immediately head down to the gym and get into one to two hours of strength training or cardio. In fact, it can be as simple as getting in a slow walk around the neighborhood, taking the stairs up to your apartment, or dancing to the music when you are preparing your meal. While it is beneficial to work with a physical therapist, it can also be easy to pick out easy home exercises that can be done without any equipment.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Having mobility means having strong legs and arms. This can be undermined by conditions like obesity or malnourishment. This is why ensuring that you are maintaining a healthy weight is important. Other than exercise, it is important to stay hydrated with water and to have a balanced diet. On top of this, it is also important to get enough sleep to ensure that you are well-rested. Before you get started, it is important to consult your doctor to get a better idea of your body composition as well as a physical examination. This gives you a better idea of what weight goals are sustainable and how to attain them.
Stretching
This might seem like an odd recommendation considering that exercise is already on the list. However, stretching throughout the day is an easy way to ensure improvement in your mobility. It can help to increase flexibility, improve blood flow and bodily function. Aside from strength, improving flexibility is important to maintain a greater range of motion. Without this, your muscles can become tight and pose as a risk for injuries or limited extension.
Be Careful
One of the best ways to retain mobility is to be careful and avoid any injury-related mobility issues. Falls are one of the most common reasons that older adults are rushed to the emergency room. What is more worrying is that any injuries sustained can lead to long-term repercussions on body parts that are essential for mobility like the legs, hips, and back.
Retaining a high level of mobility does not have to be something that you do alone. One of the best channels of support is getting the help from trained professionals at an assisted living community. Not only are you getting a secure living space with features that support accessibility, but you also have a wide range of exclusive senior living programs that can boost a person’s fitness levels.
