Mobility and Reaching.

Mobility.

Impaired mobility is a major health concern for older adults, affecting fifty percent of people over 85 and at least a quarter of those over 75.  In 2006, approximately 14 million persons over the age of 65 had difficulty walking 1/4 of a mile and 11.5 million had difficulty climbing 10 steps without resting.  About 2 million people use wheeled mobility devices and an additional 6 million use canes, crutches or walkers.  As adults lose the ability to walk, to climb stairs, and to rise from a chair, they may become completely disabled.

Consistent and appropriate exercise for seniors is more critical than at any other time in life.  General weakness whether from the aging process (sarcopenia), illness or trauma can only be corrected by including exercise in the activities of daily living. 

Walking.

Commentary: There are three basic reasons to use a cane, walker, rollator (wheeled walker) or wheelchair:

1   You cannot stand reliably on one or both of your legs
     (decreased weight bearing):

2   Fatigue or decreased endurance:

3   Poor balance:

Using an aid should provide at least one of these benefits:

  • increase independence in daily activities (toileting, bathing, in/out of bed)
  • improve mobility in the home
  • community access
  • improve safety
  • improve limited breathing ability
  • To improve exercise tolerance

Some considerations in choosing a walking aid are:                    

  • Do I need a walker or is a cane sufficient?
  • Stairs (inside, outside): Do I need a lightweight walker to carry up and down stairs?  
  • Do I need a second walker? 
  • Do I live with someone who can help me carry the walker?
  • Carpeting: Can I move my walker over the carpet? 
  • Parking (inside, outside, distance): Are there any barriers between where I park or where I get in and out of a car and my home?
  • Transportation (independent driver, family or friends drive, community transportation for people with disabilities, or taxi/public transportation):
  • Will my walker fit my mode of transportation? 
  • Can I lift it into my vehicle if I’m alone?
  • Can I fold it up and unfold it reliably?
  • Do I need a seat built into my walker if distances are longer than I can walk?
  • Do I need a wheelchair instead of a cane or walker?

The final choice of a walking assistive device is usually based on a series of compromises defined by your physical status, the different places you walk, the activities in which you participate, availability of assistance or supervision if needed, and your budget.

It is best to seek assistance from a certified therapist, such as a physical or occupational therapist.

Climbing Steps.

Climbing steps is primarily a function of muscular strength and endurance of the quadriceps and hamstrings, balance, range of movement, knee and hip pain, and upper body assistance.  Railings should be installed on stairways to provide upper body assistance and for safety.  An exercise program to maintain leg strength and endurance should incorporate actual stair climbing within the limitations of safety, pain and range of movement.  Walking is usually an excellent exercise but does not emphasize leg strength and stair climbing muscle endurance.  Therefore we suggest an elliptical trainer or recumbent bike.

Spirit XBR25 Recumbent Bike

 

The Spirit XBR25 Recumbent Bike is a extremely compact recumbent bike with an easy access walk-thru design that was highly rated by Consumer Reports.  The Spirit XBR25 Recumbent Bike features a mesh seatback for maximum comfort, it has 20 levels of resistance and oversized footpedals with a 2-degree inward slant to provide a natural feel.  Additionally, the Spirit XBR25 Recumbent Bike provides both contact and telemetry heart rate monitoring, a blue backlit LCD screen as well as cooling fans and a water bottle holder.

Estimated Price: $1,099.00 

Ordering Information for Recumbent Bike

 NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 Elliptical Trainer


Ellipticals are odd-looking contraptions, a fusion of stair climber and cross-country ski machine that you stand on and pedal. Your feet move in an elliptical pattern, and a flywheel with resistance you can vary controls the difficulty of the workout.  This one was rated as a "best value" by Consumer Reports.

Estimated Price: $849.00

Ordering Information for NordicTrack Elliptical

 

Reaching.

Closely associated with mobility is “Reaching”.   Reaching involves only arm strength and balance but also range of movement, grip strength, eye-hand coordination, core body strength and fine motor skills.  For arm strength and grip strength, a dumbbell set is a good choice.

Dumbbell Set.


Commentary: Dumbells set should start at 1 pound or less.  A typical maximum would be 10LB or 15LB depending on the senior with no more than a 2 LB increase between dumbbells.  The dumbbells should be neoprene coated with hex heads to prevent rolling.  Color coded bumbbells are preferred.

 

Estimated Price $300.00

 Ordering Information for Set of Dumbbells

 

Additional Reach Products for Specific Applications

A common activity that requires reaching is changing light bulbs.  Changing overhead light bulbs from the ground greatly reduces the chances of a fall.

Light Bulb Changer without using a ladder

 

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBuU0NmUnmc

 

Estimated Price: $43.00

Ordering Information for Light Bulb Changer

Seniors frequently have difficulty clipping their toenails.

Pistol Grip No-Bend Toenail Clipper

  • ·  16" handle eliminates bending
  • ·  durable aluminum and stainless steel construction
  • ·  rust and mildew proof

Estimated Price: $90.00

Ordering Information for No-Bend Toenail Clipper

 

If a chair or stool must be used to reach an object, there should be a safety rail of some sort. 

 

Estimated Price: $60.00

 Ordering Information for Safety Stepstool