Common mobility problems in older adults

Mobility problems in older adults  

Many older adults struggle with their mobility, and this can range anywhere from simply slowing down as they age, to requiring walking aids or wheelchairs to move around safely. Understanding the common causes of mobility problems can help you take action to prevent these health issues from occurring in future, and to improve your quality of life if you do develop mobility issues. Here, we are looking at the common mobility problems older people face, how these can impact daily life, the ways in which families can help their loved one with mobility issues, and how professional home care could also be of assistance. 

At Home Instead, our aim is to help people age positively and in place by bringing expert care to their home. For nearly 20 years, we have been providing the highest standard of care, and creating industry-leading training programmes for our Care Professionals that are accredited by nursing and medical professionals. Today, we are the world’s largest global domiciliary care network, supporting over 100,000 older adults with personalised, tailored care at home. So whatever questions you have about mobility in ageing adults, we can help.

What are the most common mobility problems experienced by older adults?

As mentioned above, there are a number of factors influencing an older person’s ability to move around on their own and continue with daily tasks independently. These include: 

Joint Issues and Bone Health  

Many older people experience pain and stiffness in joints, and could also develop bone conditions. One of the most common is arthritis, which primarily affects those aged 50 and over. The two main types of arthritis that impact older people are osteoarthritis (caused by joint cartilage breaking down due to gradual wear and tear), and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune condition causing the immune system to attack the body’s own tissues). Both are characterised by inflammation of the joints which causes pain, stiffness, swelling and, in many cases, reduced mobility and range of motion.

Another common condition causing mobility problems in older adults is osteoporosis, which causes a loss of bone density over time, leading to symptoms such as back pain, loss of height, a stooped posture, and more frequent fractures, or sometimes no symptoms at all. Osteoporosis is caused by the natural ageing process, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, a sedentary lifestyle, lifestyle choices such as smoking, and more. This means bones are generally weaker, more brittle, and susceptible to fractures, which could cause an older person to become more cautious with their mobility as a result.

You can learn more in our guide to the differences between osteoporosis vs osteoarthritis.

Balance Disorders 

Sometimes older adults can develop a balance disorder which makes mobility more challenging, or impossible, as this can increase the risk of potentially damaging falls. According to a 2020 study, hip fractures occur at a rate of 76,000 per year in older adults aged over 70, and between the years 2017 and 2021, the number of hip fractures each year is thought to have increased by 15%.

For this reason, taking balance disorders seriously and putting things in place to mitigate the increased fall risk can be both helpful and potentially life-saving. There are several reasons for balance disorders, such as certain medications, low blood pressure, dehydration, ear issues and more. These can lead to symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, unsteady walking, lightheadedness, blurred vision, confusion and disorientation, all of which can make mobility more challenging and dangerous. 

Foot Problems 

Painful feet can be a common cause of mobility issues; if every time you take a step you experience pain or discomfort, this is likely to cause problems when you need to move around. It is important to address some of the common foot problems affecting older people, such as bunions and plantar fasciitis, in order to negate their impact on mobility.

You might notice foot problems in an older loved one if they display a change in their walking pattern, such as shuffling or walking slower. Having regular check-ups with a medical professional who can diagnose and treat foot issues is the key to maintaining mobility. You can learn more about this in our guide to common foot problems in older adults.

Vision and Hearing Problems 

When vision or hearing is impaired, this makes it more difficult to safely navigate the environment, avoid objects, and pick up on signals that indicate fall risk. This means walking around is more risky, and it can affect the person’s mental health if they become overly cautious and anxious doing so. In turn, this is likely to lead to reduced movement which has a knock-on effect for their health. 

Vision problems will impair an older person’s mobility if they cannot see objects around them, while hearing loss can affect mobility if there are issues with the inner ear causing balance issues, an inability to detect danger such as approaching vehicles, or a lack of identifiable sounds causes a fear of falling and reduced confidence when walking around.

Obesity 

In the UK, it is thought that around 1 in 4 adults lives with obesity, and this tends to affect older adults more since the prevalence of obesity is known to increase with age until age 64. As older adults are more likely to suffer from obesity or have excess weight, this can put additional strain on joints and muscles which may already be generally weaker from age. This makes moving around much less comfortable, and can lead to reduced physical activity in daily life. 

Neurological Disorders and Cognitive Impairment 

Certain neurological disorders, or conditions that cause cognitive impairment, can impact mobility. For example, conditions like Parkinson’s disease and stroke can affect the nervous system and interrupt the brain’s signals as it attempts to influence muscle coordination and control. When this happens, the person may slowly lose function in certain areas of their body, such as their legs, causing them to lose the ability to walk independently. 

Similarly, the cognitive decline seen in conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease will eventually have an effect on the person’s ability to move around safely and independently due to its impact on their cognitive function, reasoning skills, and more. In particular, PCA dementia is known to cause symptoms such as blurred or double vision, difficulty judging distance or recognising depth perception, issues with spatial awareness, and difficulties with coordination which could lead to mobility problems. 

Heart Problems 

Heart problems such as heart disease and hypertension can lead to reduced mobility due to a lack of stamina and the shortness of breath many people experience if they have cardiovascular issues. One 2022 study found that almost 60% of patients with heart failure have mobility problems. 

This can impact an older person’s ability to do physical exercise, as well as their capacity to carry out everyday physical tasks like their own personal care, doing housework, or simply moving from A to B each day. 

Muscle Weakness 

As we age, there is a natural and expected reduction in muscle mass and strength, which is known as sarcopenia. This happens to everyone, but it can happen at different rates depending on an older person’s health, age and physical fitness. Loss of muscle mass can cause difficulties with strength and balance, and as a result, mobility.

Those who live a sedentary lifestyle with minimal physical activity are likely to experience this muscle deterioration faster than others, so remaining physically active, moving your body, and doing regular weight-bearing exercises can help to maintain muscle into old age. 

Lifestyle Choices 

In some cases, certain lifestyle choices are known to affect general health and mobility, including eating a poor diet, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. These factors can lead to an increased risk of mobility issues later in life. These factors can also contribute to poor mental health in older people, which has been linked to mobility; one 2023 study found those who have experienced depression are thought to have a significant decrease in physical activity or muscular strength, which can lead to mobility issues. 

Similarly, those who do not do regular physical activity will likely notice their general health and mobility declining at a faster rate than others, which is why it is so important for older individuals to find a form of physical activity that works for them. This does not need to be a vigorous fitness routine, as gentle exercises like swimming, walking or tai chi could make a difference to general health and help to maintain mobility. 

Keep in mind, while mobility issues tend to affect many older adults, this decline in physical ability is often gradual. If you notice sudden mobility issues in yourself or a loved one without a reason (such as a recent fall) then this requires urgent medical care from a healthcare professional who can check what the underlying reason may be. 

How can families help older loved ones who struggle with mobility? 

Supporting a loved one with mobility struggles involves both practical assistance and emotional support, such as: 

• Encouraging them to seek a professional medical assessment to find out the underlying cause of their mobility issues and gain more information on how to navigate this. If medication is the cause, their GP may adjust their dosage or switch to another medication.  
• Making the home safer by making necessary home adaptations. This could mean installing grab bars, ramps, non-slip mats and more to make moving around the home easier and safer. You can learn more in our guide to home adaptations for disabled older people.
• Helping them to acquire walking aids, such as canes, zimmer frames or an electric scooter in order to maintain their independence and be as physically active as possible. 
• Removing clutter from around the home, and ensuring any frequently used items are easily accessible. You may wish to move furniture around and secure loose rugs and cables to create pathways for your loved one to move freely and safely. 
• Encouraging them to have their vision and hearing tested regularly to check for signs of deterioration, if this is thought to be the cause of their mobility struggles. 
• Helping them find appropriate footwear to address any foot problems they may have and make them more sure-footed when walking. 
• Encouraging them to engage in regularlow-impact exercises, even if this is only gentle exercises like walking, as this can help to maintain their strength and balance. If you are unsure which exercises are safe, you can read more in our guide to fitness and exercise for older adults.
• Providing emotional support when the person’s mobility issues lead to frustration or isolation. Spending time together and encouraging them to stay socially engaged through local groups could boost their wellbeing and keep them active to reduce the impact of mobility issues. They may also benefit from discussing a fear of falling that could impact their desire to walk around independently.
• Installing a safety alarm. This could be a pull-cord in high risk areas, or a personal alarm worn around the neck or wrist, so you can be confident your older loved one can always alert someone if they fall due to poor mobility.
• Encouraging them to make healthy choices and break habits that may be contributing to mobility issues, such as eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, or cutting down on alcohol consumption. 
• Assisting with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning or running errands to ease their mobility burden, or enlisting the help of a professional home carer with experience supporting older adults who have mobility problems.
• Being knowledgeable on what to do if an older person falls. It is estimated that 1 in 4 people over 65 years old experiences a fall each year, so this is incredibly important to know in the event this happens to your loved one, and more so if they have mobility issues. This could include knowing how to help them get up safely after a fall, or how to assess for a potential head injury. You can read more in our guide on: what to do if an older person falls.

Although it can help to provide support to your loved one for their mobility issues, it is also important to encourage their independence by not helping them with every task. In most cases, there will still be things they can do themselves, such as get out of bed, or cook their meals. Whatever their abilities, try to find the areas you can encourage without providing assistance, as this can increase their self-esteem, confidence and quality of life. 

For further advice, Age UK has an entirely separate website called Age UK Mobility dedicated to mobility, which you can use to find more information, and the NHS has helpful advice on walking aids, wheelchairs and mobility scooters, as well as household gadgets and equipment to make life easier. 

How can professional home care help older adults with mobility issues? 

Older adults who cannot move around their home independently may require additional support from professional home carers who can provide practical help with daily activities, as well as emotional support as they navigate this change.

Professional home care can have many benefits for older adults with mobility issues as it can offer personalised support tailored to their specific needs. Caregivers can usually assist with things like:

• Personal care activities – Bathing, getting dressed, cooking, doinghousework and more
• Transfers – Safely transferring an older person from one location in the home to another, such as from bed to a chair, in order to reduce risk of falls and injury
• Device management – Encouraging and helping them to use their mobility devices for safety, such as walkers or wheelchairs
• Arranging medical care – Liaising with physiotherapists, GPs or occupational therapists to ensure home care plans complement existing NHS or local council support (where appropriate)
• Physical exercise – Incorporating physical therapy or gentle fitness activities into their routine to strengthen their muscles and improve balance
• Home adaptations – Helping to adapt their home environment to make it safer and easier to navigate, and helping them get used to the changes 
• Emotional companionship – Reduce feelings of isolation by encouraging them to remain social despite their mobility struggles, and improve their mental health 

Older people suffering from mobility problems may experience isolation, anxiety, or might feel like they have lost their purpose. From ad hoc visiting care, to live-in support for those with severe mobility limitations, our Care Professionals offer so much more than just practical help. We understand companionship, encouragement and mental health support may be just as important in making a difference to an older person’s motivation and wellbeing, so we take a holistic approach to mobility care.

At Home Instead, we can provide highly trained Care Professionals who are experienced in helping older adults who struggle with their mobility. We’re an award-winning home care provider and part of a worldwide organisation devoted to providing the highest quality relationship-led care for older people in their own homes. Arranging care for yourself or your loved one shouldn’t be stressful, so whatever questions you would like answered, feel free to reach out to the Home Instead team to discuss your needs.