Mobility Solutions For Seniors
79The GlideCycle -An Awesome Mobility Device for Seniors!
Impaired Mobility -A Common Problem for Seniors
One common problem seniors have to deal with is impaired mobility. A decrease in stamina naturally comes with aging, as the muscles, tendons and joints lose strenght and flexibility. While for some this means they can no longer do all the things they used to, for others it makes it not only hard, but even impossible to perform basic tasks like rising from a chair, climbing stairs or even walking. The good news is that even if some challenges do come with aging, becoming completely disabled is not inevitable. Fortunately, there are a number of things one can do to maintain their health and stay in a good shape as they go throught he aging process. In this article, I will particularly refer to solutions to help seniors preserve their mobility, or even regain and improve it.
Old Man Walking With Cane
Canes and Walkers
Canes and walkers offer great help to people who deal with mobility issues, by providing them with increased support and stability and helping them prevent fall and injury.The pain in the knees or hips due to arthritis or other degenerative joint diseases can be relieved by using a cane or walker, which helps take some of the pressure of the joints.
Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters
People who are unable to walk and cannot use a walker due to reduced upper body strength, may consider using a wheelchair or a scooter.
Many people tend to choose a mobility scooter over a wheelchair simply because it looks cooler. But there is a much more important difference between a mobility scooter and a manual wheelchair which many people are not aware of.
Many people, in spite of being unable to walk, still have the upper body in a functional shape. In their case, using a scooter will force their upper body into a harmful sedentary state. Unlike a manual wheelchair, the mobility scooter will eliminate considerable use of the shoulders, arms and even hands. It is vitally important to keep the body moving (whatever parts you can still move) throughout all phases of life. Exercise is particularly important for our health, and the lack of it increases the risk of various diseases and shortens life span. Using your upper body to ambulate by pushing a wheelchair is good exercise and is definitely beneficial for your health. And don't worry too much about the effort needed to maneuver a manual wheelchair. There are people with limited upper body abilities, semi-quadriplegics for example, who still prefer a wheelchair over a mobility scooter and are managing it just fine.
The GlideCycle
The GlideCycle Helps Seniors Improve Their Mobility
The GlideCycle is a new revolutionary trainer that is excellent for people with mobility limitations.The closest thing the GlideCycle could be compared to would be a bicycle, but the rider is suspended in a harness like seat, which takes the pressure of the legs and the joints, and makes it possible for people with severe pain in the legs, hip or feet, or even lower limb amputees, to experience a movement very similar to running. The GlideCycle has no pedals, so the rider uses his or her own legs (or leg) to push forward in a movement similar to running or gliding. By doing this, the rider gets great cardio/ aerobic workout. That is why it is not only seniors or people suffering from various ailments that use the GlideCycle. It is also used as a cross-trainer by athletes.
Mary Margaret's Testimony
Mary Margaret, a 67-year-old lady, was considering buying a mobility scooter because it became very hard for her to walk, she needed help to get up out of chairs, she had a bad hip and a bad knee, she broke both shoulders from falls down the stairs and had a broken elbow. But before buying a mobility scooter, she saw a GlideCycle and wanted to try it. She noticed she was feeling much better after riding the GlideCycle only 3 times, so she gave up the idea of buying a scooter and bought a GlideCycle instead.
Now (2 and 1/2 months later) she is running 3 to 4 miles a day several times a week! She no longer needs help getting up from a chair, she can walk considerably long distances, her knee no longer hurts like it used to and she says she feels much better and has much more energy.
You can read Mary Margaret's testimony and watch a video with her progress here:
67-Year-Old Senior Goes From Mobility Chair to Running 2 Miles
Staying Healthy
What are you doing to stay healthy and in a good shape?
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You are welcome, Todd :) See, it works! :)
As for your mom -where is she at? We have a few places where people can go try a GlideCycle for free. And show her the video with Mary Margaret's testimony. When she sees the results, she will be more motivated to try it.
This is great information, ClaudiaP. When one is disabled by mobility challenges, the scooter looks like a good idea. I see your point about exercising the upper body.
At the same time, many seniors will not avail themselves of either wheelchairs or scooters, or even canes and walkers, because of the stigma attached, or because of denial of the need for help.
This is a great Hub. I hope those folks selling scooters have the humanity to suggest alternatives that don't pad their own pockets.
There's much for me to think about here, as I have a mother who has mobility issues but stubbornly follows the beat of her own drummer.
Thumbs up!
Thank you for your comment, Sally.
Whenever there is a problem, there are at least two ways of solving it: work on the effects, or try to see what the cause is and work on that.
Getting a mobility scooter would, in most cases, work on the effects -help seniors get around easier, but would aggravate their overall health and strength.
As for the cause, of course we know of no miracle yet to stop people from aging, but you can still work on the cause of the problem by doing exercise.
Now, when you mention the word "exercise" to a senior, they might go like: "Honey, you don't know what you're talking about! I cannot move! That's why I need a scooter!" But you should point out that no one expects them to do the type of exercise athletes do. There is special exercise, and special trainers designed specifically for seniors. Exercise can help them maintain or improve mobility, stay independent and even gain back some years of their life, as some confess.
ClaudiaP, you are so right about the way the word "exercise" can get jumbled by a senior (and those who are concerned about seniors as well) who is facing mobility problems.
My mom attends, religiously, a senior exercise class twice a week at her local senior center. The teacher is well-schooled in senior needs, both emotional and physical. She is a special trainer.
My mom is very motivated about these classes, because she lives by herself and her independence means a great deal to her.
I think a senior's motivation to participate in a class like this has to come from within.
It's a complex issue.
Sally, it's great to hear that about your mother.
Yes, it is true that motivation has to come from within, but it is also true that people around us, especially those who are important to us and whose opinion matters, can encourage or discourage us from doing something.
lctodd1947 Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago
Great hub...I wish my Mom could do that or should I say would. Thank you for answering my question. I am trying and I probably need some work and I know it will take some times.
thanks again