As you go through life, there are many moments that you don’t want to miss out on–dancing at your child’s wedding, chasing after your boisterous grandchildren, and keeping up with your favorite activities. These times are precious, and you don’t want pain or problems with movement to take you away from them.
The ability to move and keep moving is vital to your health. As you age, you may notice changes in your mobility–this can include how you walk, what daily tasks you can and can’t complete, and the levels of balance and strength you have. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to prevent and improve joint pain! Maximizing your mobility and continuously moving will maximize your independence.
A Loss of Mobility = A Loss of Ability to do the Things You Love
Although there are a multitude of benefits to maintaining and maximizing movement throughout your life, many adults move less as they age. This could be due to the daily stressors of life/work balance, disease–like Parkinson’s or cancer–hospitalization, and more. It is known that sitting and becoming more sedentary for long periods of time is quite common the older you get.
What happens when you don’t move your body?
A lack of mobility will negatively impact your quality of life–especially as you age. Not only is it linked to higher mortality rates, but it is also linked to:
- Increased risk of falls,
- Higher rates of disease,
- Higher rates of disability,
- Higher rates of hospitalization,
- Difficulty with eating, dressing, bathing, and other activities of daily living, and
- Decreased likelihood of being able to live independently.1
Physical Therapy for Mobility
A physical therapist can help you build strength, maintain your balance, and improve your overall vitality. The effects of aging may seem distant, but moving now is going to help you in the long term. Having expert guidance can support you in achieving your goals related to daily activities and your specific needs.
Movement Plus
Spooner offers a new, revolutionary way to access physical therapy: Movement Plus. This membership-based program provides you access to a network of physical therapists and the ability to quickly interact with a licensed professional who can direct your care.
The Movement Plus Member Therapist, Robbie Horstman, PT, DPT, and the rest of the Spooner team are your key to success in maintaining motion throughout your life. Through chat, telehealth, and even in-person visits, the Spooner team is your trusted resource for efficient, precise care. This, in turn, can help you achieve independence in the long term!
Access the support you need to maintain your mobility! Join Movement Plus today!
Resources:
- Maintaining mobility and preventing disability are key to living independently as we age. National Institute on Aging. Published November 30, 2020. Accessed October 24, 2022. https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/maintaining-mobility-and-preventing-disability-are-key-living-independently-we-age#