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By Sara Sparks, PT, DPT | Graceful Aging If I could prescribe just one habit that would help most older adults stay independent longer, it wouldn't be an expensive piece of equipment or a complicated exercise program. It would be this: Move Your Body... Even When You're Achy Move your body for five intentional minutes every day. That may sound almost too simple. But after years of working with older adults in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and people's homes, I've lea

By Sara Sparks, PT, DPT | Graceful Aging One of the first things I notice when I walk into a client's home isn't the furniture or the layout. It's the walker sitting quietly in the corner. Sometimes it's folded up in a bedroom. Sometimes it's tucked behind a recliner. Sometimes it's covered with laundry. When I ask why it isn't being used, I usually hear one of the same few answers. "It's awkward." "I don't really like it." "I only use it when someone makes me." "I think I'm

Whether you just got home or you're helping someone who did — this one matters. Walking out of the hospital can feel like crossing a finish line. After days—or sometimes weeks—of tests, procedures, medications, and constant care, there's finally one thing you've been looking forward to hearing: "You're going home." Home is where everyone wants to be. But here's something I've learned after working with countless older adults and their families: Going home isn't the end of rec

If you've ever tried to talk with a parent about their safety, you've probably heard the same response: "I'm fine." Sometimes it's said with a smile. Sometimes with frustration. Sometimes it ends the conversation altogether. As a physical therapist, I've heard those words countless times. And over the years, I've realized something important: Most of the time, "I'm fine" doesn't actually mean "I'm fine." It often means... "I'm scared." "I don't want to lose my independence."

It's not the stairs. Most people are surprised. Why the Bathroom Is the Most Dangerous Room in the House for Older Adults When people think about falls at home, most imagine someone tumbling down a staircase. It's a reasonable assumption. Stairs look dangerous. Bathrooms don't. But after years of working with older adults in their homes, I can tell you something that surprises almost every family I meet: The bathroom is consistently one of the highest-risk rooms in the home f