Mobility in old age – meaning, options and problems

Mobility in old age – meaning, options and problems

Mobility enables people to participate in social life. It is also necessary to do the most everyday things. This includes, for example, shopping. Mobility often becomes a challenge for older people. Physical limitations may make walking difficult and reduced vision makes driving a car independently a herculean task. Relatives are not always able to support seniors with their mobility to the extent necessary. It is all the more important that older people remain mobile themselves. But here they encounter some problems.

The role of mobility

In colloquial language, mobility is equated with moving around. Mobility means a much more complex construct. This includes not only movement from start to finish, but also the opportunity to move freely and independently, to have easy access to resources and services or to have a free sense of self. Only through mobility can older people be actively integrated into society, for example by joining a club or meeting friends and family.

The quality of life of seniors suffers greatly when their mobility is restricted. This makes it difficult to establish social contacts and visits to the doctor depend on the help of third parties.

Mobility options and problems

Older people often have physical limitations. Running long distances presents a challenge. Therefore, seniors are dependent on external aids. These have individual advantages and disadvantages, which highlight the problems of mobility for older people.

Many people drive cars well into old age. This offers them a high degree of freedom because they can decide for themselves when and where they want to go. In addition, purchases can be easily transported with it. However, as you get older, driving becomes increasingly dangerous. Retirees tend to overestimate their physical capabilities and are more likely to have accidents.

Public transport offers an alternative. You can get safely from A to B by bus or train. However, connections are often poor, especially in rural areas. There are few stops far from home and neither bus nor train runs more than once an hour.

Another option is offered by the so-called Electric vehicles for seniors. These can be used both indoors and outdoors. They enable relatively safe and free movement, at least on short journeys, but are more suitable for smaller errands. However, senior electric vehicles reach their limits when traveling further distances. They are therefore hardly suitable for weekly shopping in the supermarket in the nearest small town.