Mobility, A Prong Of Healthy Aging

November 23, 2021 Jessica Kluetz

Mobility, a key aspect of healthy aging.

Last week I began a four week series regarding the multifaceted approach to healthy aging used by both The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. I discussed monitoring health as the first facet. This week I would like to discuss the next prong: mobility.

Just like last week, this too seems like a no-brainer. This one can be a little trickier, however, because as people age, the level of function can be quite variable. Much of this can be attributed to different disease processes. Just because someone might have severely limited mobility due to arthritis or other ailments, however, does not mean that physical activity cannot be accomplished. Much like the statement said often in the church in which I grew up, we as loved ones should “meet them where they are at”. This pertained to someone’s spiritual walk, but for this blog, I am gearing it towards an individual’s physical function.

Get out and move!

So in the case of an aging loved one, encourage physical activity. This can apply to anyone at any age reading this, however. Adults who incorporate regular physical activity/movement and exercise into their days will continue to benefit from the activity into older age.

In addition, those who maintained a higher rate of physical activity throughout adulthood maintained a more steady physical functional level with less of a functional decline. Those with increased physical activity had reduced rates of disability and premature death compared to those who were more sedentary. This was supported by two separate studies done by Daskalopoulou (Physical activity and healthy aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies)(1) and Stenholm (Association of physical activity history with physical function and mortality in old age)(2).

Importance of gait speed.

There are a few different tests used by physical therapists to determine one’s gait speed. These tests are used so frequently because they can be a predictor for daily function, mobility, independence, falls, hospitalization risk and even mortality. For those who are regularly active, it is of utmost importance to maintain the gait speed by regularly exercising.

For those who are ambulatory but have a slow gait speed, regular activity, and physical therapy in some cases, can help to improve the gait speed. Beyond just working on one’s gait, there are multiple exercises that can be incorporated into a daily routine that can help to maintain and even improve gait speed. These exercises can include resistance training and coordination training.

Be sure to assess nutrition status.

An often overlooked aspect of physical activity is a person’s nutritional status. These two go hand-in-hand. A nutritional assessment should be completed on every aging individual. A screening can be performed by one’s primary care physician. If there are concerns, the individual can then be referred to a dietician for a further look at and guidance on how to achieve maximal nutritional status.

Rehab to improve physical function.

I have frequently talked about the importance of physical therapy. Physical therapy is a tool that often is only used in circumstances such as after a hospitalization or an injury. If someone has had a decline in his physical function over time, a course of physical therapy can be ordered by a physician to help him to establish an exercise program to help him regain strength and endurance that can often decline over time.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, we need to make sure we meet our aging loved ones where they are at. If your loved one has walked multiple miles on a daily basis for more years than you can remember, then join her for some of those walks! If he has shown a decline in his ability to even walk to the bathroom, talk with his PCP regarding the possibility of physical therapy or a home exercise program. If she lives in an assisted living facility and her main method of mobility is her manual wheelchair, encourage her to participate in group exercise programs that are usually offered at care facilities.

Daskalopoulou C, Stubbs B, Kralj C, et al. Physical activity and healthy aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies. Ageing Res Rev. 2017;38:6-17. Doi: 10.1016/j.arr:2017.06.003.
Stenholm S, Koster A, Valkeinen H, et al. Association of physical activity history with physical function and mortality in old age. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016;71:496-501. Doi: 10.1093/gerona/glv111.

Feeling overwhelmed with the process?

Afraid you may not make the right decision at the right time? This stage of life for you and your aging parent often brings more questions than answers. Reading information from a trusted source like me can help guide you in the process. However, if you still feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I am happy to help with a personalized plan for your unique situation.