Serving Our Seniors Magazine: Jan - March 2023

What Your Walk Says About You - In Later Life I interviewed Dr. Ardeshir Hashmi, Cleveland Clinic Endowed Chair of Geriatric Innovation, to find out why geriatricians are interested in an older person’s pattern of walking. He explained, there are three measures used for identifying frailty. Walking is one of those measures, as well as, grip strength and weight loss – and how rapid the weight loss is occurring. This article will focus on what walking says about you as you age. “Simply put all of us will experience a replacement of muscle tissue with fat tissue. This happens to all of us as we age. Especially at age 80 and older. As that happens, strength goes down, because we are losing muscle mass. The technical term for this is ‘sarcopenia’.” “As we lose muscle strength we tend to reduce our activity. This may lead to a slower gait – even when the balance is fine. The person is compensating for this change in their body.” Some older people start to compensate for the loss of muscle mass, by eating fewer calories. “When they don’t eat enough – especially if they don’t eat enough protein – there is more muscle loss.” The loss of muscle is reflected in slow gait speed. Immobilization is hazardous to one’s ability to walk, independently. “Everyday that we are bed bound, in the hospital, older patients will lose 50% of their muscle mass from the previous day.” This is why many older, patients often need physical therapy, after being hospitalized. Hashmi explained how untreated depression is just as hazardous. “If someone is depressed, they may not eat and have no motivation to be physically active.” Conditions like dementia or Parkinson’s can affect balance and the ability to walk. This can cause a tendency to shuffle. The person feels less sure of themselves and now walks less. The fear of falling is as disabling as the physical changes.” If this article describes you, this is a great reason to schedule a Successful Aging Visit at the Cleveland Clinic. Serving Our Seniors can transport functionally, independent Erie County residents, age 60+, to the appointment. We can also help you make an appointment using 3-way calling. For more information, call Serving Our Seniors at 419-624-1856. ACTIVELY AGING WELL (L-R) Sandusky resident, Duff Milkie, age 57 and Kevin Dwight, age 57, are leading the pack of motivated men who are committed to remaining active for the sake of aging well. They were seen walking, in Sandusky, on Saturday morning, November 19, 2022, in 23 degree temperatures 2nd Row: L-R Matt Michel, 52, Mike Will, 50, Although not visible, Tony Rutger, 50, is also walking, evidenced by his left leg in the picture. KUDOS to you, gentlemen!! 7