It can be extremely difficult for some adults to adjust to retirement — especially if they’re not quite as physically able as they once were. There are several different approaches to confronting old age; and all of them involve dealing with medical issues that come with aging head on. With that being said, this doesn’t mean that you have to give up your dignity as you age. It’s important that those caring for the elderly approach them like they’re regular people — because they are. They might just need a bit of extra help, often in the form of medical equipment. While some medical equipment deals with more intimate problems, like incontinence or eating problems, others have to do with something much more basic: mobility. As they age, lots of people lose their mobility, or at least experience a decrease in mobility. This can severely affect a person’s morale; lots of people report feeling less “human” in a sense as they age. Walking aids for seniors can help them get around for a longer period of time, without relying on a wheelchair. They also makes life easier for their caretakers, as they can help increase the happiness of seniors. Let’s look into some of the different walking support devices on the market, and why seniors might need them.

What Kind Of Complications Come With The Aging Process?

Nobody stays exactly the same as they age; everyone deteriorates to a certain extent, it’s just that some experience it more than others. It’s estimated that among people 65 and older, 10% of men and 13% of women live with asthma. Conversely, 10% of men and 11% of women are dealing with chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Recent surveys have indicated that for 81% of retirees, good health is an important factor in terms of having a happy retirement. While not everyone is able to have great health, some conditions affect their mobility more than others — and when a conditions affects a person’s mobility, it can often have an adverse affect on their emotional health. A major issue is complications from falling; about every 15 seconds, an older person suffers a fall of some kind. While some are minor, others result in broken bones and sometimes permanent immobility to an extent, as well as the use of devices like medical canes. Diabetes can also result in limited mobility, especially if a person loses toes due to the conditions. No matter why a person is dealing with limited mobility, it’s important that they increase their mobility as soon as possible through the use of walkers and canes, among other devices.

What Kind Of Devices Can Aid The Elderly In Walking?

Different people are going to need different aids — medical canes might work for some, while others will need more heavy duty equipment. Walking aids for elderly people come in a wide variety of types, and can often be adjusted to accommodate more specific needs. In fact, almost 10% of seniors use more than one mobility device. An estimated 16.4% of seniors prefer medical canes, while 11.6% use walkers; a little more than 6% use wheelchairs, while just 2.3% rely on scooters. Medical canes are best for seniors who still have a fairly wide range of mobility. As they progressively become more disabled, seniors might appreciate transitioning into walkers and wheelchairs. Ideally, however, seniors should continue walking for as long as possible.

Why Is It Important That Seniors Continue Walking?

There are huge emotional benefits to walking beyond the physical benefits. Obviously, physical activity is crucial in helping people feel younger and healthier for a longer amount of time. But it also can help seniors avoid depression, which can be a major problem for people as they get older. The more mobile seniors are, the more they feel like they’re still a part of the world — and they are. For that matter, higher levels of happiness have been linked to seniors living longer; and living well.