A Motivation To Move: If it seems there is a more frequent use of electric mobility units by younger people there is a reason for that. It’s true.
More individuals are finding they are more comfortable using an electric “scooter” when visiting a store or moving around outdoors. While there was a time when many only looked at this prospect as something that might make senior years easier the truth is it has been drafted for use by a steadily growing number of younger individuals.
In order that you don’t see this as an overly alarming trend you should know that the use of physical mobility units is around 2% for those 50-64 years of age. As you can see the majority of those in this age group are not experiencing significant issues, but the secondary trend is that mobility is more difficult for those who don’t use a ‘scooter’. Many in this age group that can walk on their own indicate that climbing 10 stairs may be the maximum they can walk before needing to rest or walking more than ¼ of a mile is extremely difficult.
According to the Los Angeles Times, “More than 40% of people surveyed said that due to a health problem they had trouble with at least one of nine physical functions, without using any equipment. The researchers, from the University of Michigan and the RAND Corporation, also saw an increase in people needing help with personal care endeavors such as getting in and out of bed or moving around in their homes.”
Perhaps just as telling was the following information from the same article, “From 2005 to 2007, the most common reasons for needing help were arthritis; rheumatism; back or neck problems; diabetes; and depression, anxiety or emotional problems. Those who reported these problems were more apt to say the disorders started at age 30 to 49. Obesity was tied for seventh place on the list, tied with heart problems, and there was no substantial increase over the study period. In the study the researchers noted that some of the participants may not have wanted to list obesity, and that many obese people are healthy. Still, they wrote, ‘our findings regarding arthritis or rheumatism, back or neck problems, other musculoskeletal conditions, and diabetes may be related to the growth in obesity.’”
This trend seems to point to the potential that more direct health care will be needed at younger ages for many baby boomers. As the prevalence of obesity and diabetes continue to grow the issue of long-term and assisted care plays strongly in the potential of many American lives.
We Americans are reluctant to view ourselves as obese, but these trends point to the fact that too many calories are affecting not only our present, but also our future and the lives of those who love us.
One reality television show is pitching the idea of a revolution in how we think of food. This potential revolution advocated by Jamie Oliver suggests that something as simple as learning how to cook at home again instead of eating out so much could do more to stem the tide of obesity than anything.
Recent episodes of his reality television show demonstrate special caskets made for obese individuals along with the requirement that individuals who are excessively overweight may be required to purchase two burial plots to compensate for the size of the casket.
Startling images to be sure, but as the need for mobility devices increase so does the need for motivation to do something about these struggles common to all men.
