This week Disability Living is writing for the senior disability community of Canada. We are presenting helpful tips and information and discussing disabilities pertinent to Canada’s senior citizens.
We are sure you are aware that mobility-related disabilities affect many seniors and elderly individuals. But how prevalent are these disabilities among senior citizens in Canada?
Did you know that mobility-related disabilities are reported more frequently by senior citizens in Canada than any other type of disability?
It’s true. In fact, “One third of all Canadian seniors have mobility-related disabilities.” This equates to 1.3 million seniors.
To be precise, 37.2 percent of females who are seniors have a mobility-related disability; 28.1 percent of men who are seniors have these same disabilities.
What is a mobility- related disability?
A disability related to mobility has to do with “reduced function of legs and feet, which causes users to depend on a wheelchair or artificial walking aid.”
What causes such disabilities?
It has been reported that rheumatism/arthritis “causes over 30 percent” of mobility-related disabilities.
While other factors can cause a mobility disability, arthritis is obviously a large contributor. Is there anything that can be done to prevent arthritis and, subsequently, a mobility disability?
Prevent arthritis to prevent disability.
How can you do this? Here are a few simple ways to prevent arthritis, the condition that causes about 30 percent of all mobility-related disabilities:
– Gain and Maintain a Proper Body Weight – Being overweight can majorly contribute to developing arthritis. Work with your doctor to achieve the best weight for your body.
– Exercise - Exercise strengthens your body and helps you avoid arthritis. Research what exercises would be best for you, and discuss a new physical fitness routine with your physician.
– Stop Smoking and Limit Alcohol - Why? Because “both habits weaken the structure of the bone, which puts you at a higher risk for fractures.”
– Take Strengthening Supplements – See http://www.arthritistoday.org/nutrition-and-weight-loss/vitamin-and-mineral-guide/index.php to learn more.
Do you have a mobility-related disability?
If so, let us know your tips for staying independent and coping with your condition. Feel free to leave a comment on this post.
Sources:
http://www.apt.gc.ca/wat/wb14200e.asp?dId=122
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9708876
http://www.arthritis.org/preventing-arthritis.php
Image made available by Marcel Oosterwijk on Flickr through Creative Commons License.
*Please note: All research for this article is compiled from direct and third party sources. Mention of programs, organizations and companies does not imply support of The National Benefit Authority. Pictures are for creative purposes only; they are not intended to sell or promote products for the NBA and belong to the accredited individual, organization or company.
Let’s Talk About It
Does physical pain accompany your mobility disability? If so, how do you manage it?
Do you feel that those with mobility disabilities are treated differently? How?
I born in 1962. My doctor diagnosis me as being extreme obese. The trouble I’m experiencing is my legs ,knees, ankles and feet. I can walk no more then 10 mins at a time. I’m lucky if I could drive more than an hour at a time, or even standing at a counter making dinner, my lower back is in pain from that. I know I have to try and lose weight. My doctor said eat more vegetables drink more water. I,m trying, it’s not easy. I worked for the last 30 years walking and standing on concerte, only sitting at breaks. I know there’s more to my legs and lower back then just my weight. I don’t know who to trun to. My family docter of the last two years won’t regionalize I have a problem with my lower half of my body.
Hi.. I have severe asthma and extreme ADHD… Recently I was in icu hooked to tubes.. I have
Trouble even walking up stairs half the time. My thoughts are so scattered that I have about %60 of
my tasks done on a daily basis. So it is a lil tough to get and keep a job. I contacted you before giving
My gfs cell # and you called once or twice a day so please don’t do that as this is not my phone so if we can communicate through email until i get my phone on the 26th, but I was hoping you could email some info on anything I can do. I’m going to be applying for disability tomorrow … Any tips on how to succeed on bein approved or anything ? I also just Got out of rehab for my drug addiction and the recovery house I went to after was going to get me on disability for being an addict, is this true?