How to Get Elderly Walking Again?

As we get older, it’s common to find moving around a bit more challenging. Many seniors struggle with walking due to issues like arthritis, joint pain, or neurological conditions. However, staying active is crucial for their health. The question is: how can we help our elderly loved ones to walk again? Walking is incredibly beneficial for senior citizens, positively affecting both their physical and mental health, and greatly enhancing their quality of life.

Thankfully, there are several strategies to encourage and support elderly walking. By combining patience, innovative ideas, and professional advice, we can create effective exercise plans to boost their mobility. This article discusses various methods to help seniors stand up and embrace walking as a regular part of their routine.

Must Read: Walking is Good for You – Here is How

Learn about how Emoha offers personalized assistance to the elderly, catering specifically to their unique needs.

Benefits of Walking for Senior Citizens

Walking is an excellent exercise choice for older adults. It’s gentle on the body and especially kind to the joints. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Improves heart health and blood circulation
• Strengthens muscles and bones, reducing the risk of injuries and fractures
• Enhances balance and coordination, which helps prevent falls
• Boosts mood by releasing endorphins
• Stimulates brain activity, supporting cognitive functions
• Promotes independence and the ability to carry out daily activities
• Provides social interaction when walking with friends
• Offers exposure to fresh air and sunlight

Walking even a little can help seniors maintain and enhance their physical functions. Ideally, they should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity walking each week to reap the best health benefits.

Leg Exercises for Elderly to Improve Strength and Mobility

Before attempting longer walks, simple elderly leg exercises can help aging adults build lower body strength and stamina. These movements can be done either standing or sitting:

• Ankle circles: Rotate ankles slowly clockwise, then counterclockwise. Repeat 10 times per foot.

• Leg raises: Lift one leg straight out in front of you, keeping a slow and controlled motion. Do 10 raises per leg.

• Mini squats: With feet shoulder-width apart, slightly bend knees and hips as if sitting down halfway. Stand back up. Repeat 10 times.

• Hamstring curls: Sit on a chair and extend one leg, lifting foot off the floor. Slowly bend knee up towards chest, then lower. Do 10 curls per leg.

• Calf raises: Stand with hands on a chair or wall for support. Lift both heels off the floor, raising onto toes. Hold briefly, then lower. Repeat 10 times.

Aim to do one set of 10 reps for each exercise daily or every other day. Over time, work towards two to three sets per move to build leg and hip strength. Go slowly and focus on proper form with these elderly leg exercises – quality over quantity of reps matters most.

Make Walking Fun with Elderly Walking Assistance Devices

For elders who require more stability when they walk, using assistance devices can help provide needed support. Devices like canes, walkers, and rollators give aging adults something secure to grip and help maintain balance.

To encourage walking with assistive devices, make it more enjoyable:

• Decorate the handles with colorful tape or stickers
• Tie streamers or balloons to the frame
• Glue photos of loved ones to customize it
• Attach a basket or pouch to hold belongings during walks
• Play festive music from a small speaker attached to the device

How to Get Elderly Walking Again?
Experiment to find the right elderly walking assistance device – and customizations – that will make an elderly adult excited to use it for daily walks.

Also Read: How Do Walks Benefit The Health Of Seniors?

Set Up Safe and Accessible Walking Routes

Look at your living environment to identify walking paths suitable for an older adult’s needs in an important step in how to get elderly walking again. To find suitable walking routes one can:

• Ensure adequate lighting and handrails wherever they will walk.
• Clear clutter and secure rugs to avoid tripping hazards.
• Pave smooth, even surfaces outdoors if possible.
• Find short, manageable loops they can repeat multiple times.
• Seek flat areas without steep hills that could be challenging.
• Avoid busy roads. Opt for quiet parks, tracks, or neighborhoods.

Make sure walking shoes fit well and assistive devices are adjusted properly. Monitoring pain levels and resting when needed are also important.

Encourage Regular Walking Practice for Elderly

Consistent, daily walking is key for maintaining mobility for the elderly. To promote regular activity:

• Schedule set times for walks, just like appointments. Make it a routine.
• Join them on walks for companionship and supervision.
• Enlist family/friends to take turns accompanying them.
• Hire home health aides trained to facilitate elderly mobility.
• Recruit volunteers through religious or community groups.
• Use a tracking log or app to monitor progress and stay motivated.
• Celebrate successes! Recognize milestones with small rewards.

Seek Medical Guidance When Necessary

For seniors with chronic conditions or increased risk of falling, getting physician approval is wise when starting a walking regimen. Physical or occupational therapists can also assess mobility and identify if any precautions or adaptive equipment are recommended.

Some red flags to consult a doctor include:

• Significant pain, fatigue or shortness of breath during walks
• Unsteady gait that results in near falls
• Neurological conditions affecting balance, strength or coordination
• Recent illness, injury, surgery or hospitalization
• Oxygen dependence or cardiac issues
• Debilitating arthritis that limits joint mobility

Proper medical care and management of health issues will help make walking comfortable and safe. Doctors may refer patients to supervised rehab programs for gait training and mobility reeducation.

Home health therapists can also provide strengthening exercises and assistive device instruction.
Learn more about Emoha Empower Plan that provides 24*7 emergency medical support for the elderly.

The Takeaway

Staying mobile through regular walking is one of the best ways for seniors to protect health and retain independence as they age. With encouragement and support from loved ones, the elderly can overcome mobility challenges and remain active well into later life.

Simple leg exercises for the elderly, appropriate assistance walking devices, planned walking routes and community mobility programs help get aging adults back on their feet again.

Consistency is key – walking a little each day enables progress. With time and practice, seniors can achieve mobility goals and keep moving forward.

At Emoha Elder Care, our trained caregivers assist elders with gentle leg exercises, walking practice and overall mobility support. We help aging adults remain active and independent.

Contact us to learn more about our specialist elderly care services and learn more about how to get elderly walking again.