Mobility Matters. It matters because mobility is independence.
Think about that for a minute. If you lose the ability to get up and go, then you lose the ability to see the world. That is why you want to think about how the way you move fits into the environment in which you want to move.
At Stay At Home Texas, we talk a lot about the Mobility-to-Fall Cycle™. It is our representation of how changes in mobility can contribute to repeated falls. Simply put, the cycle of falling starts with a change in mobility.
Now before we define what a change in mobility is, we need to talk about how mobility evolves.
Think about the evolution of life. When a baby is born, we roll on the ground, then we crawl, then we walk, and eventually we are running and jumping. Throughout our lives, our mobility continues to evolve and change, that’s the natural pattern of life. It’s not something we can stop. Why does that occur? It could be due to a variety of reasons:
A change in mobility could be due to pain or joint problems from years of activity, reduced activity, strength, or endurance, an injury or surgery, a stroke, Parkinson's, or another medical diagnosis, or simply changes associated with aging.
Why does a change in mobility matter? It matters because when your mobility changes, the way you access your environment changes with it too.
When our mobility changes but our environment doesn't, we may unknowingly begin taking risks that increase our chances of falling. So, unless I do something to preserve my mobility and strengthen it, I am likely to remain stuck in the Mobility-to-Fall Cycle™.
As we age, it is important to stay safely active. Staying safely active helps us preserve our strength and increase the way we move and interact within our environment, and that can look different for everyone.
Remember, strength and balance matter. Physical therapy can help, but if you are unsure where to start, consult with your PCP about what 'safely active' looks like for you.
As Home Mobility Planners, Stay At Home Texas is dedicated to helping those in their home. If you are concerned that you might be stuck in the cycle, we have developed a form to help you. Our Home Mobility Planning Checklist can help you recognize changes worth discussing with your doctor or loved ones. Read through it and consider whether any of these changes sound familiar. Read through it. If you recognize some of these changes, it may be time to have a conversation with your doctor or loved ones.
Mobility matters. That is why you need to consider how your body is moving within your environment. Are you taking risks? Or are you taking action to keep yourself independent for longer?
