Focusing On Hip Health for Seniors

Hip health plays a pretty big role in independence, comfort, and quality of life as we age. 

People with strong, mobile hips find it much easier to do everyday movements. When your hip health starts to decline, even simple tasks can become challenging, and rapidly, your whole quality of life declines.

Why Hip Health Matters

As we get older, bone density and muscle mass start to decline. The hips tend to get hit the hardest because they carry the body’s weight. 

If you lose flexibility or strength in your hips, you’re at risk of experiencing pain, limiting mobility, and even loss of balance. Besides, hip problems can also have a knock-on effect, putting extra strain on the knees and back to compensate.

Healthy hips make it easier for seniors to maintain their general health in old age. 

Protecting Hip Health

How can seniors protect their hip health? Regular, low-impact workouts help keep the joint lubricated and the muscles around it strong. 

This doesn’t mean hitting the gym. You can focus on simple and gentle motions, such as walking, swimming, and cycling. There’s also plenty of senior-friendly yoga or stretching classes to improve your flexibility and stability without putting pressure on the joints. 

Strength training is also a good idea. Safe exercises can target the glutes, thighs, and core, which will help keep your hips stable and reduce the strain on them. 

Naturally, you also want to keep a healthy weight, as this can reduce the amount of pressure on your hip joints.

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Staying Safe at Home

Did you know that every year, over 14 million seniors fall? Hip injuries happen at home, often because people fall. 

That’s why creating a safer living environment by modifying your home can make a huge difference. You can look at installing non-slip surfaces and using a stair chair lift, for example.

And of course, good, supportive house shoes will help you stay on your feet and avoid slipping. Wearing open-back slippers or only socks can lead to many accidental falls. 

Addressing Existing Hip Problems

It’s important to understand that hip health should be a concern at any age. If you wait until your golden years to look after your hips, you may already have ongoing hip problems, such as arthritis or general wear and tear on the joints. This could even affect how you look after your hips as a senior, as it can limit your ability to stay mobile and active.

If conservative treatments like physical therapy or medication don’t work, medical intervention may be the way to go. Having a private hip surgery could give you access to the help you need to build an active life over 60. In the long run, addressing the problem rather than just managing the symptoms will help you get back to doing the things you enjoy.

There’s no denying that your hip health is closely tied to how independent you are. When you look after your hips and take the right care of them, you’re more likely to stay active, confident, and physically independent for longer. 

There are many health risks for seniors. But approaching your older years with the desire to keep your body strong and mobile can keep a lot of issues at bay. Of course, you want to look after your hearing, sight, and cardiovascular health too, which are all important aspects of senior living. But your hips are a central element to your mobility, and your chance to remain independent and active.