Mobility is a huge part of keeping your senior healthy and vital as she ages. It’s also one of the major considerations if she wants to age in place. But if she’s avoiding being mobile, that can be a sign of bigger issues.

She’s Lost a Good Bit of Muscle

Your senior loses more muscle naturally as she ages. There are ways for her to slow that process down, though. Exercise helps, even if she’s just doing a little bit. Also, if she’s not eating well, especially if her protein intake is lower, she may not have the nutrients she needs to hold onto her muscles. Talk with her doctor about what adjustments you can make to her nutritional plan and to her exercise plan to help her the most.

She Has Old Injuries
Injuries your senior sustained years ago can affect her a lot more today than they have for years. Those older injuries might act up when the weather is bad or when she’s more worn out than usual. Sometimes injuries around joints develop arthritis years later and that could be what she’s experiencing. Talk to your senior’s doctor about how to accommodate those old injuries now and what you can do to reduce your senior’s pain levels when they flare.

She’s Fallen Recently
If your elderly family member has fallen recently, she’s twice as likely to fall again according to the Centers for Disease Control. Both the fall itself and the fear of falling again can be enough to keep your senior from moving in normal ways. If she’s still injured from that fall, it’s important to make sure she heals well. Her doctor might recommend physical therapy or even occupational therapy to help her to fully recover.

She’s Afraid of Getting Hurt
Your senior might not have fallen or gotten hurt, either recently or in the past. But that doesn’t mean that she isn’t afraid of getting hurt. Make sure that your senior’s home is as safe as it can possibly be and look for ways to help her to get past her fear. She may find that talk therapy is something that helps her to work through her fears and put them behind her.

Mobility can be a difficult situation for your senior. She may feel as if she’s in pain if she moves and in pain if she doesn’t. It’s a good idea to have elderly care providers with your senior, especially when you can’t be there. They can make sure that she’s stable and safe while she moves around.

Excerpt: Why isn’t your senior moving around like she should be?

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care in River Oaks, TX, contact the caring staff at Personal Caregiving Services at 832-564-0338.Providing Care in Houston, Bellaire, West University Place, Katy, and Sugar Land and the surrounding areas.