The shuffle.
It’s something we’ve come to accept as a normal part of aging, or as a result of certain medical conditions. Certainly, following a stroke or coinciding with the onset of Parkinson’s disease we expect a change in gait. But, what if there was more to this somewhat gradual change in a person’s gait? What if it indicated a shift in cognitive function? Research is beginning to investigate possible connections between the way people walk and their ability to think. As well, there is the possibility that changes in gait may be an early indicator of cognitive impairment stemming from conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, it is important to take note of an elderly gait.
Recent studies:
Recent studies suggest that thinking skills—memory, planning activities or processing information—decline at nearly the same rate as the ability to walk steadily and information increasingly points to a correlation between trouble walking and difficulty thinking.
A number of studies utilize a dual-tasking testing system to help uncover problems. They ask subjects to simultaneously perform thinking and movement tasks such as walking while counting to 50. While still inconclusive, the results of these tests revealed that subjects who walked more slowly or inconsistently did worse on cognitive tests. The worst of these were suffering the most severe Alzheimer’s. This may indicate that the brain is sufficiently compromised. It may be unable to coordinate and efficiently manage more than one task.
Seeming correlation with elderly gait.
This seeming correlation could be an indicator for earlier diagnosis and treatment for conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Once the studies are conclusive, we can take action. The hope is to integrate an observation-based screening protocol that can be used during routine examinations by doctors, or physical therapy sessions.
David York Agency Can Help.
Mobility and accessibility needs change. David York Agency and their team of home heath aides will be there to help you every step of the way. Our client intake coordinator is available to answer your questions about in-home healthcare. When you sign on as a client, a free nursing assessment helps tailor a specific care plan performed by a caring home health aide.
For more information about our services, browse our website or follow us on our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages. You can also call us at 718.376.7755 and we will be happy to talk over your specific home healthcare needs.
