Barrier Free Architecturals
May 11, 2012

Prevention and Treatment of Hip Fracture for Full Mobility

Walking cane. Image Credit: Fonquebure via Wikipedia.

Hip fracture is one of the most common disabilities among the elderly. Its gravity ranges from immobility or even death. After one reaches 50 years old, the risk of having hip fracture increases. Without rehabilitation and proper guidance, hip fracture can easily lead to immobility. Prevention, treatment and support are three central aspects that can address the problem of hip fractures.

In terms of prevention, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons identify the reasons why hip fractures are quite common: the weakening of the bone system around the area and the impact sustained from a fall. Prevention of osteoporosis, including measures such as building stronger bones and having a healthy lifestyle as early as awareness sets in, is a great way to prevent hip fractures as well.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, there are five ways to keep one’s bones healthy, prevent hip fractures, and ensure mobility well into old age:

1. Having a healthy dose of calcium and vitamin D in the form of supplements and in one’s daily food diet will help strengthen the bones.

2. Exercises, particular weight-bearing exercises, enhance not only one’s mobility but also the bone system.

3. Smoking and excessive alcohol are two ill habits that results in the weakening and intoxication of several body organs, including one’s bones.

4. Equipping one’s self with knowledge regarding bone health is an important element in prevention of falls and hip fractures. A consultation with one’s healthcare provider is needed for this.

5. To know the current state of your bone health, taking a bone density and taking the appropriate medication at this point is a good preventive mechanism.

If a hip injury does occur, one should approach a professional therapist in order to undergo the latest hip fracture rehabilitation programs, focused on improving one’s mobility and recovery. There are several centers that offer licensed and professional therapists specializing in regaining mobility after a hip fracture.

Filed under Health and Mobility Tips, Home safety tips for the elderly
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April 30, 2012

Addressing the Decline of Balance and Mobility Amongst Older Adults

A balancing act. Image Source: Public Domain.

The lack of mobility is one of the major and rather common problems among older adults. This is but a natural effect of ageing. As a person grows older, balance tends to deteriorate due to natural reasons such as the decline of eyesight and the decrease of muscle mass. Health complications are also a reason for the decline of mobility among older adults.

Hearing problems are another reason for the loss of mobility. The inner ear is relevant in the body’s ability to keep optimum balance. The reason for this has been debated, but many serious hearing problems gravely affect a person’s mobility.

The loss of balance and mobility lead to everyday problems that are difficult to address. This ranges from simple activities such as walking and climbing up and down the stairs. But the more pressing reason why the decline of balance and mobility should be addressed is the increased risk of falling. Because of poor balance and without proper support, an older adult can easily trip over. Also, lack of mobility can substantially decrease one’s life expectancy, especially if one suffers a serious injury.

There are several exercises that can help improve balance. These exercises, surprisingly simple and easy as they are, will increase stability and help in preventing falls.

An example of an easy exercise is sitting then standing back up with one’s eyes open and closed alternately. Standing on one is another way to increase balance; older adults are free to lean on something for better balance at first. Older adults can start with these simple exercises before moving on to more complex types.

Tai chi and yogi are strongly recommended examples of exercises that can improve balance and mobility among older adults.

However, before beginning any exercise regime, talking with the doctor or a rehabilitation specialist regarding health concerns is an absolute must. They will also help monitor the progress and answer any confusing questions along the way.

Filed under Mobility Issues and News
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April 26, 2012

New Research Shows How to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

Wheelchair. Image Credit: Icon Archive.

Alzheimer’s Disease is one of the pressing problems that drastically reduce mobility among older adults. Worse, the number of older adults with Alzheimer’s is expected to double by 2030 to 80 million. But there is a new study that offers an optimistic view as to how older adults can prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

This new study, unlike other studies previously made, provides accurate and objective information on the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. According to a Dr. Aron Nuchman, researcher and professor of neurological sciences at the Rush University Medical Center, all physical activities are capable of decreasing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study was conducted among 716 older adults with an average age of 82 years. The participants were made to wear a non-intrusive actigraph for 10 days. Like a pedometer, the actigraph worn on the wrist measures a person’s daily activity. Aside from wearing an actigraph, the participants also reported their daily social and physical activities. This was done over a period of 3.5 years. After the period, 71 of the participants developed Alzheimer’s disease.

Those who were in the top 10 percentile with regard to the intensity of physical activity were compared to those in the bottom 10 percentile. The results showed that those in the bottom 10 percentile were 2.8 times more likely to have Alzheimer’s compared to those in the top 10 percentile.

What kinds of physical activities were undertaken by those in the top 10 percentile?

After the actigraphs were taken back, the results showed that a broad range of physical activities can help in preventing Alzheimer’s. This includes cooking, playing cards, washing the dishes, or even moving one’s own wheelchair with! Older adults who are no longer able to go to the gym and perform formal exercises may still lead a more active lifestyle and prevent Alzheimer’s.

Filed under Mobility Issues and News
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April 17, 2012

World Health Day Celebrates Older Adults

World Health Organization Logo. Image Credit: World Health Organization.

For today’s baby boomers, growing old does not bring an end to mobility. In fact, today’s older adults beyond 65 are redefining exactly what it means to be a senior citizen! On April 6, 2012, the World Health Organization celebrated the World Health Day. This year’s theme, Aging and Health, focused on the relatively new phenomena where the number of older people is escalating at an explosive rate.

Statistics show that in over twenty countries, life expectancy has increased to 80. By 2050, the number of people over 60 is estimated to reach to 2 billion—roughly 22% of the entire population. 80% of these older adults will be living in low-income and middle-income countries.

With this theme, Dr. Margaret Chan, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, thinks that it’s about time we re-think our approach to older adults. After all, being over 60 is the new normal. There will have to be societal shifts to accommodate this large demographic.

One important change of mindset is how old people take care of themselves. Research shows that older adults die not because of gastroenteritis or infectious diseases. Rather, the main cause of their deaths includes stroke, lung cancer, diabetes, and heart problems.

These causes, which also impair the mobility of senior citizens, are completely preventable by adopting healthy habits as soon as possible. The simple solution can be divided into four dimensions:

  1. Be physically active.
  2. Follow a healthy diet.
  3. Avoid alcohol overuse.
  4. Do not smoke.

By following this fourfold regimen, older adults are on their way to enjoying a healthy body at an advanced age. Having a healthy body is one of the key steps to finally making society realize that being old is not a burden but simply a path towards better productivity and wisdom!

Filed under Mobility Issues and News
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April 11, 2012

North York Senior Games Kick Off

North York Senior Games Logo. Image Credit: North York Senior Games.

Don’t let age get in the way of your pursuit of mobility! In fact, as early as now, older adults, retirees and seniors are gearing up for the North York Senior Games in Toronto, ON.

The North York Senior Games started as early as 30 years ago. North York was also the first district to become part of the Ontario Seniors Game Association in 1982. The games are meant to be fun and participative, with players competing on an amateur level. This is a great opportunity not only to get fit and reach your goals for mobility, but also a way to socialize and interact with other older adults.

Last year, around 500 seniors participated in the event, making it one of the biggest in the games’ 30-year history.

Qualifications for participants

Permanent residents of the North York district or those who have affiliations with sports clubs or recreations clubs in the district may sign up for the games. Another qualification is that a participant must be at least 55 years old by December 31, 2012. Also, only amateurs are allowed to participate in the events, thus excluding masters and professionals.

There will be a total of 19 competitive sports games, spread throughout the months of April, May and June. These games will be held in various venues within the district. The 2012 edition will kick off this April 11.

List of games

Registration is required for certain games, such as: badminton, bid euchre, cribbage, carpet bowling, cribbage, golf, table tennis, lawn bowling, and tennis. Registration with the appropriate event convenor is all that’s required.

Games for the North York Senior Games include bocce, tennis, euchre, darts, cribbage, scrabble, badminton, table tennis, bid euchre, swimming, pickleball, duplicate bridge, bowling, contract bridge, chess, golf, and lawn bowling.

The games will run through April 11, 14, 15, 17 20, 21, 25 and May 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 15, 22 and June 4, 2012.

Filed under Mobility Issues and News
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April 4, 2012

The Key to Senior Driver Mobility

Lincoln Town Car. Image Credit: Bull-Doser via Wikimedia.

For more than fifty percent of senior drivers, giving up their car keys is tantamount to losing their mobility and freedom. This finding is a result of a survey among 2,017 adults, 512 of which are at least 65 years old, by the American Automobile Association (AAA). The national telephone survey identified the effect of losing their ability to drive, especially among older adults. According to the survey, 85% of senior drivers said that giving up their car keys would be a problem to them, while 57% said that it would become a serious life-changing problem.

To dispel the notion the senior drivers are dangerous on the road, a sizeable percentage take concrete steps to avoid meeting accidents on the road. 80% avoid high risk situations, such as roads with fast-moving cars, 61% don’t drive on bad weather, half (50%) try not to drive at night, a further 42% avoid heavy traffic and 37% don’t drive on unfamiliar roads.

Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65 and by 2012, an estimated one in every six drivers would be over the age of 65. Clearly, senior drivers will at one point comprise a fairly sizeable demographic of the driving population. It is important help equip senior drivers with relevant advice and updated information on senior driving and mobility issues.

The anxiety over losing their mobility because of having to give up their car keys is not exactly unjustified. Older adults are afraid of being stranded at home, especially in a culture where having a car means being able to get around the city or the town. Also, older adults who have to give up their keys are either reluctant or unsure about public transport options.

One recommendation to get over this anxiety is to set up a schedule of rides that family and friends can help older adults with. Also, keeping a healthy lifestyle and improving mobility will be able to delay the process of having to give up one’s car keys.

Filed under Mobility Issues and News
April 1, 2012

Weight Loss a Factor for Improving Mobility Among Older Adults

A study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine offers older adults who are diabetic something to look forward to: a decreased change of losing mobility. The results of the study are a product of a four-year research and study on diabetes and its health risk effects.

The study backs an unsurprising claim with scientific results and hard data. The research is coined Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) and was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Starting in 2001, Look AHEAD was a clinical trial research that aimed to identify how intentional weight loss can lessen the risk of developing cardiovascular problems among older adults who have Type 2 Diabetes. Around 5,145 individuals were chosen to participate in the intensive lifestyle and life-changing study.

Focused on improving mobility, the mobility of the participants was first assessed. The participants substantially had difficult performing difficult activities like lifting heavy objects to even fairly easy one such as bending or kneeling.

In the study, participants were assigned to either an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) group, where they underwent a series of exercises for the entire four-year period. The other group, the diabetes support and education (DSE) group went through an education program with individual and group meetings three times annually.

Four years after the program, those in the ILI group showed a 48% decrease in disabilities connected to lack of mobility. Only 20.6% of those in the ILI group had a serious disability for the period of the study, compared to 26.2% in the other group. Overall, 38.5% in the ILI group had good mobility compared to 31.9% percent in the other group.

According to the study, improved mobility was a result of both weight loss and improved fitness. Since people living with Type 2 Diabetes have an increased risk of losing their mobility, it is necessary to consider both factors.

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March 20, 2012

Driving Tips for Older Adults

Driving. Image Source: Nutrition Complete.

It is a fact that there have never been more older adults above 65 who are driving on the road. Because the Baby Boom Generation is now well on its way to their 60s, there will be even more older adult drivers in a few years.

A recent report entitled “Keeping Baby Boomers Mobile: Preserving Mobility and Safety for Older Americans” by the Transportation Research Board showed that despite the overall decline in motorist accidents, older adults who drive still face the risk of traffic fatalities. In fact, in 2010, 5,750 motor accidents involved at least one driver over 65 as the casualty.

By 2025, the report states that 1 in 5 drivers will be over 65. It goes without saying that mobility for older adults when driving has never been more important. Mobility of older adults is essential when it comes to preventing motorist accidents.

In fact, older adult drivers themselves have some important suggestions in mind to help fellow drivers their age be extra safe on the road:

Keep yourself in good health.

While it is important to be in good health not just for the sake of driving but for overall health and wellness, it is still necessary to keep in mind that older adults should never drive on a day when they are not feeling well.

Ask your doctor about your medications.

Certain medications have side effects such as blurry sight, dizziness and lack of focus. These do not sit well with driving at all. You may have a difficulty pointing out which medication cause certain reactions, so it is best to go to your doctor for guidance.

Do not let pride get in the way.

Instead of refusing your daughter from driving to your destination, you let her take the wheel on days when you are not well. Also, if you’re not in as good a health as before, you should let your pride take the backseat for the sake of your health, and tone down on the driving.

Barrier Free believes in improving the quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities, at home and work, and everywhere in between (including the roads).

Filed under Health and Mobility Tips, Mobility Issues and News
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March 12, 2012

Does Regular Exercise Decrease the Chance of Falling?

Tripping hazard sign. Image Credit: Clker Clip Art.

Does regular exercise positively affect older adults’ fear of falls? This is a question that has been answered by a study that was recently published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society.

Ellen Frebeirger, the lead researcher of the study based at Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg in Germany, said that improving the physical performance of older adults will not necessarily translate well into their psychological dimension.

Among those who participated in the study were 280 individuals above the age of seventy. All the participants also lived independently in Erlangen, Germany. The researchers assigned the participants into four groups and were monitored over a period of two years.

Among the four groups, one group was designated the no-exercise group and performed no exercises whatsoever in two years. The second group performed strength and balance exercises. The third group underwent strength and balance exercises, as well as endurance exercises. The last group went through an education program to assess their fear of falling, primarily composed of lectures aimed at reducing the fear of falling and mental exercises that improve short-term memory and concentration. This last group had two 1-hr sessions every week for a span of 16 weeks.

By the end of the 16-week period, the results showed that there was no significant improvement in the fear of falls or the occurrence of falls among all four groups—even those who had no form of exercise whatsoever. In fact, the group that went through the education program walked the slowest—indicating that they were the most cautious.

The results of the research may be in large part due to the fact that the study only included 32 hours worth of exercises. A previous research by the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence in Germany suggests that 50 hours of exercise is the minimum amount of time needed to prevent falls.

As for the bogged down rate of walking by the fourth group in the study, it can be attributed to more caution and carefulness of older adults. In any case, since falling can happen to anyone, having the right equipment to prevent falls is a good preventive measure.

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March 6, 2012

The Signs of Age-friendly Cities in Canada

Pedestrian Crossing Sign. Image Source: Walk for the Shelters.

Canada is quickly becoming a population dominated by older adults. According to reports and recent statistics, by 2027, Canada’s Greater Toronto Area will home to 1.4 million older adults—a rapid 76% increase from the projected 2012 population. This means the importance of age-friendly cities has never been more important.

With this, Canada’s policy is making a shift towards laws and developments that are age-friendly and accessible to senior citizens. The urban design of most cities is starting to undergo changes that will ultimately make it helpful and easier for older adults to live in. The following are landmarks of an age-friendly city, which essentially means that it addresses mobility issues of older adults:

1. Pavements must be non-slip. They must also be wide enough that wheelchairs can easily fit in. To make the maneuvering of wheelchairs easy, there must also be dropped curbs to the road level.

2. There must be a sufficient number of pedestrian crossings, with the important markings, signboards, and stoplights. There must also be traffic enforcers that are hands-on in their job of facilitating older adults who may have troubled crossing the road.

3. When getting in and out of buildings, there must be accessible elevators, railings, ramps, non-slip floors, seating and toilers important for older people.

4. Convenient and accessible locations of public places, especially events and activities where older adults can participate in are another highlight of age-friendly cities.

5. The public transportation modes are important for older adults who are fully independent and are not planning to bring their vehicles to their destinations.

6. The availability of home modification options, like those offered by Barrier Free, provides an avenue for independent older adults to tweak and customized their home for safety and mobility. These include everything from easy to install shower bars and chairs to elaborate bathrooms that offer comfort and convenience.

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