It’s easy to look on ageing with fear; there’s plenty at stake. Mum worries about falling in her home—maybe breaking a hip—and losing her independence. Of course you worry, too. Both of you know that growing frailty and loss of independence can be the beginning of a downward spiral. In fact, new research conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care® network confirmed that 90 percent of seniors put loss of independence at the top of their list of ageing worries.* It’s a valid concern, acknowledged by family caregivers and by professionals who work with older adults every day.
The good news about ageing
While staying physically active may be a challenge for seniors, getting Mum (and Dad) moving can help prevent and even reverse signs of frailty. That’s according to Stephanie Studenski, M.D., M.P.H., a foremost authority and researcher of mobility, balance disorders, and falls in older adults. Dr. Studenski, who serves as director of clinical research for the University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging, says, “Through activity, seniors build both physical and mental reserves that can help their bodies better tolerate problems that come with ageing.”
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