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More flexibility and mobility in old age
Numerous aids make everyday life easier
Health guides are full of them: fitness enthusiasts, young families, and active retirees who, regardless of occupation, age, or life situation, defy all health complaints. They seem to effortlessly maintain an active lifestyle—an ideal image that, however, does not always reflect reality. Those who, due to an accident, a prolonged illness, or typical age-related complaints, suddenly have to limit their activities quickly realise: a healthy back is not a given. It needs movement and appropriate exercise. Only a strong back fulfils its stabilising function for the entire body.
But the truth is that falls become more frequent with age—often with more serious consequences than for younger people. Statistics show that about 30% of people over 65 who live at home fall at least once a year. In care facilities, this figure rises to 50%. Health issues such as poor eyesight, muscle weakness, or dizziness increase the risk, as do obstacles and tripping hazards in the home.
Nevertheless, this does not mean that older people should move less out of fear of injury. In fact, it is especially important in later life to strengthen muscles and train coordination. This not only improves physical fitness but also mental well-being. Movement and balance exercises are crucial for maintaining mobility and preventing back pain. Studies show that between 40% and 70% of people over 65 regularly experience back pain.
Walking and climbing stairs as exercise
Those who feel unsteady when walking can use aids such as rollators or stair-climbing assistive devices. These are particularly helpful for balance problems, muscle weakness, or pain. Muscles and joints should not be spared but rather subjected to individually appropriate levels of stress. Walking aids enable people to cover longer distances, go for walks, run errands, and take breaks as needed. Climbing stairs is also excellent training for the whole body. With stair-climbing aids, seniors can safely and independently master this everyday challenge—and, unlike stairlifts—simultaneously strengthen their muscles. Stair-climbing aids must be easy to use and provide the necessary safety.
KNOWLEDGE
Keep going, don’t give up—think of your back!
Handrails and grab bars can be installed in various areas of the home to assist with standing up and walking. The right mattress and an adjustable bed are essential for restful sleep and physical recovery, even in the presence of pain or limited mobility.
Finding the right balance
“If you’re ill, you should stay in bed.” True, or not? While this may seem logical at first glance, it is only conditionally advisable for patients with chronic pain. Those suffering from conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, or osteoporosis—the most common ailments in old age in Germany—or experiencing a painful acute slipped disc naturally tend to avoid movement. This is understandable, as even a short walk or a trip to the supermarket can become a challenge with such handicaps. Affected individuals avoid any unnecessary additional activity simply because it is associated with pain. However, excessive rest can lead to a downward spiral of pain, inactivity, and declining physical capacity.
Independent thanks to assistive devices
This makes it all the more important for patients to remain mobile and train their overall strength and flexibility—in a way that is appropriate and gentle on the back. There are various aids available for this purpose, from rollator to medical back therapy devices, fascia rollers, and heat wraps. All of these can help maintain or restore patients’ independence in the long term, especially after an accident. The key to success is finding the right balance of movement and exercise: for example, overdoing it after a slipped disc and putting incorrect strain on the back can hinder recovery. However, those who listen more closely to their bodies often find that they are capable of much more than they initially expected.
