Preventing Mobility Decline

We’ve all been taught that as we age, we don’t move as well.  “It’s just a fact of life”, right?

I’m sure you’ve heard from someone, “it’s just a part of getting older”.  

Or maybe, “when you get to be my age, you’ll understand”.

As a physical therapist, I’ve seen people well into their 80s and 90s who move better than someone in their 40s.

Take my late grandma Lena, on my dad’s side, for instance.  She was incredibly active and lived alone until she was 99 years old! I can remember vividly when we would visit her every summer, she would climb on the kitchen counters to get into the top cabinets.  At 80+ years old! 

Yes!  You read that right!  8-0 YEARS OLD!

She would pull a chair over to the counter and climb up on that.  Then up she went to the kitchen counter to fetch whatever she needed and then skillfully and carefully, climb back down.

Mind you, this woman also drank 1/2 beer practically every single day as a part of her routine!

She was far from average, to say the least!

I didn’t realize how far from the norm she really was until I pursued my Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy and we were taught to analyze everyone’s movement. I still have that habit to this day, no matter where I am.  Especially how people walk (gait patterns).  I turn it into a solo game of sorts – ‘guess the impairment’.  Airports are a literal field day!  And, yes, if I’ve met you or been around you, I have analyzed your gait (knowingly or unknowingly). 

My question to you:  How can you prevent your mobility (or a loved one’s) from going down the tubes and succumbing to the social norm of aging – an expected decline?

M-O-V-E

Yes, it’s that simple! 

Do you have any small kiddos around? Watch them.  Start to mimic them.  

• Kids deep squat easily (adults sit in chairs).

• Kids reach high for things, making them stand on their tippy-toes (adults often don’t bother or ask a taller person to help – which isn’t wrong if it’s truly out of reach).

• Kids play (adults sit).

• Kids perch like a bird (adults sit).

• Kids rarely can hold still

• yep, you guessed it – ADULTS SIT!

Get off your backside, and move!  

Get involved in activities that force you to balance, walk, stand, and stretch. 

You’ve heard the phrase “Move it or lose it”.  It’s the truth! 

Those aches and pain you have today will slowly diminish over time.  

You must be consistent.  

Move your body.

Every. Single. Day.

Period!