Patient Education
Improving Mobility: Promoting Better Physical And Mental Health In Seniors
Limited mobility does not really sound like such a big deal until you realize that it is the most common form of disability affecting US seniors today. This is according to the official numbers posted by the US Census Bureau. The condition is usually caused by factors ranging from simple foot or ankle conditions to full-in injuries. Of course, with compromised mobility come poor health and a decreased overall quality of life. In fact, studies even show that the issue could lead to increased stress, feelings of loneliness and even depression in older individuals. This is why addressing it is one of the keys to promoting better overall health in seniors.
Proper treatment of the conditions
Given that there are a wide variety of conditions that can cause limited mobility, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for the problem. The good news, however, is that there are treatments and medication for some of the most common ones. For instance, for patients suffering from bunions or some form of foot or ankle injury, a quick trip to a podiatrist should help solve the problem. For more serious issues, however, there are also different types of mobility aids that can be used to help facilitate movement.
Quality long-term care
Not all residential care facilities are created equal. While studies are currently being conducted to improve the overall quality of long-term care in the US, it’s still important to choose a facility that is equipped—not only in terms of actual tools, but personnel as well—to cater to the patient’s specific needs. The last thing you want is to worsen their condition just because the facility you chose cannot provide the level of care that they require.
In addition to this, however, your chosen facility should also be able to provide the patient with enough opportunities to engage in daily physical activity and socialize with other people. If, however, the patient has limited mobility, the facility must also have the necessary tools and know-how to address the issue. Again, mobility issues could easily lead to more serious problems if left unchecked, so it is important to fix them as soon as possible.
Moving toward a better quality of life
Studies have time and time again shown that regular physical activity is crucial to a person’s physical and mental health. Of course, this is even more important for seniors who are generally already more prone to various physical and mental conditions. Addressing their mobility problems early on ultimately minimizes their risk for these conditions and allows them to live healthy and happy lives.
Written by Chrissy Bennett
Limited mobility does not really sound like such a big deal until you realize that it is the most common form of disability affecting US seniors today. This is according to the official numbers posted by the US Census Bureau. The condition is usually caused by factors ranging from simple foot or ankle conditions to full-in injuries. Of course, with compromised mobility come poor health and a decreased overall quality of life. In fact, studies even show that the issue could lead to increased stress, feelings of loneliness and even depression in older individuals. This is why addressing it is one of the keys to promoting better overall health in seniors.
Proper treatment of the conditions
Given that there are a wide variety of conditions that can cause limited mobility, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for the problem. The good news, however, is that there are treatments and medication for some of the most common ones. For instance, for patients suffering from bunions or some form of foot or ankle injury, a quick trip to a podiatrist should help solve the problem. For more serious issues, however, there are also different types of mobility aids that can be used to help facilitate movement.
Quality long-term care
Not all residential care facilities are created equal. While studies are currently being conducted to improve the overall quality of long-term care in the US, it’s still important to choose a facility that is equipped—not only in terms of actual tools, but personnel as well—to cater to the patient’s specific needs. The last thing you want is to worsen their condition just because the facility you chose cannot provide the level of care that they require.
In addition to this, however, your chosen facility should also be able to provide the patient with enough opportunities to engage in daily physical activity and socialize with other people. If, however, the patient has limited mobility, the facility must also have the necessary tools and know-how to address the issue. Again, mobility issues could easily lead to more serious problems if left unchecked, so it is important to fix them as soon as possible.
Moving toward a better quality of life
Studies have time and time again shown that regular physical activity is crucial to a person’s physical and mental health. Of course, this is even more important for seniors who are generally already more prone to various physical and mental conditions. Addressing their mobility problems early on ultimately minimizes their risk for these conditions and allows them to live healthy and happy lives.
Written by Chrissy Bennett
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