Are You Considering a Mobility Aid?

If you have arthritis, heart or lung issues, pain and weakness in the feet and legs, impairment due to a stroke, visual impairment, or other balance problems, a mobility aid can help you feel more independent, reduce pain, and increase confidence. With options available ranging from canes to walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters, you may be wondering which one is best for your needs.

Experts explain that your choice of aids will depend on your disability and/or medical condition. Canes are the most common choice and are good for someone with balance problems. In fact, the journal Medical News Today, says that one in 10 adults over the age of 65 uses a cane. However, even here there are decisions to be made. While white canes are reserved for the visually impaired or blind, you may find a four-footed cane with its wider base offers more stability. If you need to shift weight from the wrist to the arm, try a forearm cane.

Walkers, also called Zimmer frames, provide stability and are used by an estimated 4.6 percent of people in the country over the age of 65. Along with the basic walker, styles include rollators that have four wheels, handlebars and a seat. Knee walkers are like a rollator but have a padded cushion to rest a knee on while the stronger leg moves it forward. Walker-cane hybrids are another option that offers better support than a standard cane.

For more severe disabilities or to move longer distances, a wide range of wheelchairs and scooters are available. If mobility problems are long-term, modifications to your home may also be necessary. Regardless of what mobility aid you decide on, doctors recommend making an appointment with your healthcare provider or physical therapist to learn how to use the new device properly.

At MorningStar at River Oaks, we have 85 private stylish suites for assisted living and another 27 suites for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our residents enjoy healthy, delicious meals served all day in our full-service dining room, luxury amenities, wellness programs and built-in companionship. We are committed to providing the best senior living Houston offers and invite you to set up a tour to see our exceptional community.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Houston has to offer.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318463#Types-of-mobility-aids

Comments

Keeping Seniors Safely Mobile

The Mayo Clinic reminds older adults it is important they take proper precautions to prevent falls. Medical conditions, the resulting medications needed, and a more sedentary lifestyle can result in weaker muscles and balance problems that can lead to a fall. Also please keep in mind, a fall for an older adult can cause injuries that are very serious such as a broken hip, head trauma, or in the most severe cases, death. However, the solution to preventing falls is not to stop moving. The medical experts at the Mayo Clinic explain being inactive is bad for our health regardless of how old we are and it is vital that we keep moving. To that end, they suggest a commonsense six-part plan to keep seniors safely mobile. Their first recommendation is to set up an appointment with your doctor. Bring to the visit a list of all your medications, and be prepared to discuss with your doctor any side effects of the drugs that may put you more at risk for a fall such as anti-depressants or

As We Age, Staying Fit is Important to Mobility and Independence

As we age, staying fit is important to both our mobility and our independence; and even if you haven’t spent your life as a serious fitness buff, experts say it doesn’t mean you can’t start now. However, it is important to check with your healthcare provider before beginning any new exercise. The Harvard Medical School recommends several exercises that provide all-around conditioning and don’t require a gym membership. Any one of them can help keep your weight under control, improve balance and range of motion, strengthen bones, protect joints, prevent bladder control problems, and even ward off memory loss. Swimming is recommended for its low impact on the body as the water’s buoyancy supports the body and takes the strain off painful joints. Dr. I-Min Lee, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, explains, “Swimming is good for individuals with arthritis because it’s less weight bearing.” Researchers also report swimming can help improve our mental health. Water aerobics is a

Regular Physical Exercise is Good for Your Bones

Not only is physical exercise good for our heart and cognitive health but it can help older adults stay steady on their feet. Studies show regular physical activity can reduce the risk of falls in older adults at a high risk of falling by nearly one third. Experts explain certain kinds of exercise helps increase muscle mass and bone strength as well as improve balance and coordination, fight off osteoporosis, and reduce the risk for fractures and broken bones. Some of the best exercises are known as weight-bearing, which require a person to carry their weight and work against gravity. Examples include walking, dancing, hiking, climbing stairs, jogging and playing tennis or basketball. Doctors say if you can manage it, increasing your pace during aerobics, jogging and power walking make the exercises even more effective at strengthening bone density. Resistance exercises also work against gravity and help build muscle mass and improve bone strength. Strength training with weights, wei

MorningStar Independent Living Blog

Search This Blog