By Amber Perez, Clinical Consultant and Amy Villars, VP Business Development & Clinical Safety
Immobility is directly correlated with an increased risk of death. As we age, the number of factors leading to immobility increase. Most commonly, after retirement- less demand to be active often results in an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. In addition, illness and injury can be the catalyst for long-term limited mobility. Immobility increases the risks of depression, bowel and bladder issues, muscle loss, osteoporosis, and bone fracture, falls, pressure injuries, respiratory complications and pneumonia, dizziness, and balance issues, and more. Leading experts agree that ‘Mobility is Medicine’ and prioritizing activity, mobility and recovery will improve your overall health outcomes and quality of life. So, what can you do?
Experts suggest that simple walking is the best way to stay active. Use a step tracker and set a goal, steadily increasing until you can achieve 10,000 steps a day. All step’s count- choose to get up and eat meals at a table rather than in bed or from a recliner. Walk to your mailbox daily. When the weather is not ideal, you can walk around your local mall or department store. If weather permits, take a brisk walk around your neighborhood.
One of the most important times to focus on mobility is during recovery from an illness or injury. Staying in your home after the hospital is preferred by most people, but our homes do not always accommodate us. One way to help ensure that you can go home and stay healthy after illness or injury is to make small but meaningful changes to your home environment that promote mobility.
I asked Amy Villars from Inovi Health what people can do to make these small improvements to their home. Amy says, “It all depends on what a person’s needs are, but you may be surprised to learn that we have home modifications for just about everyone”. Amy described a wide variety of shower benches and chairs, shower rails, commode risers, sink modifications, bedroom assistive devices, kitchen, and whole home options. It may be overwhelming for the average person to know what they need. However, Amy reassures us, “I am a nurse, and along with my experienced clinical colleagues – we are here to help. We will take the time to learn about your challenges and current home environment to make the most cost-effective and meaningful recommendations for each person”.
As we age it is important to start and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Making plans to create an accessible and modified home environment will also help you to maintain that activity and mobility even while you encounter typical setbacks expected as you age. We will all likely experience some sort of injury, surgery, or illness; having your home ready to welcome you back from hospitalization is a allows your recovery to begin immediately. reassurance that recovery is expected, and your activity will resume. For more information about accessibility options to enhance your home visit the Home Care Accessibility and Bathing page here at Inovi Health.