Being able to do what we want, when we want, is a hallmark of being an American and having freedoms. We can go to work or play in the park. We can hike a mountain or watch TV. We can travel the world or visit our friends and family on Thanksgiving. We can walk the dog or go grocery shopping. We can pick up our grandkids and swing them around.
Losing this ability to do what we want when we want to is something none of us want. Yet, our bodies naturally decay slowly over time. Stopping this slow-down is a top priority for most of us, especially seniors. In this blog post, Sansbury Medical Stairlifts in Staten Island offers up tips for maintaining your mobility for as long as possible.
HOW TO INCREASE MOBILITY FOR SENIORS
- Physical exercise. To combat the toll aging takes on our bodies, physical exercise is the best thing you can do. Physical exercise increases muscle mass. Bones are living tissue. Any weight-bearing physical activity causes new bone tissue to form, contributing to bone strength.
- Diet. You need protein. Period. Muscle is protein, and if you want to keep your muscle mass, which is directly related to bone strength, you need to eat a balanced diet. Calcium and vitamin D both are vital to healthy bones.
- Maintain a healthy weight. If you’re overweight or obese, that’s extra pressure on your bones and body that slows you down, causing pain in joints such as your ankles or your knees. Being obese is most likely uncomfortable and causes other health problems more serious than loss of mobility.
The easiest thing you can do to increase exercise is to walk. The simple act of walking has been shown to promote health and well-being both physically and mentally. Your heart rate increases, blood is pumped throughout the body faster, and you feel more energized overall. Serotonin is released, causing your brain to think clearer. You’ll feel much better overall if you exercise regularly. It’ll keep your weight in check as well. Having an accountability partner goes a long way in maintaining a regular exercise program such as walking, and you’ll have more fun!
Simple, daily activities such as walking are all it takes to maintain your mobility as you age. Loss of bone mass causes osteoporosis or bone loss. Once you lose bone at this age, you cannot regain it. The hallmark of being a senior is having the freedom to do what you want when you want to. Maintaining your health through exercise, diet, and nutrition will go a long way in keeping the loss of mobility at bay.
Sansbury Medical Stairlifts in Staten Island is passionate about keeping seniors as mobile as possible for as long as possible. We offer numerous stairlifts (from straight to curved) to meet the needs of all seniors as well as vertical lifts for accessing outdoor areas.The hallmark of being a senior is having the freedom to do what you want, when you want to. Maintaining your health through exercise, diet, and nutrition will go a long way in keeping the loss of mobility at bay. Contact us today!
