A practical guide to talking about strength, balance, and staying active as your parent ages.
Changes in walking, strength, or daily activity can be easy to overlook. Use these five prompts to start a supportive conversation and decide whether an assessment could help.
Check any changes you've noticed. This guide is for reflection; it is not a diagnosis or a validated fall-risk score.
Reaching for support may reflect a change in balance, strength, vision, or confidence. It is worth asking when it started and whether walking feels less steady.
There can be many reasons for doing less, including pain, low energy, changes in health, or simply a change in interests. A calm question helps you understand what matters to them.
Getting up from a chair uses leg strength, balance, and confidence. A noticeable change can be a useful reason to talk about strength and everyday mobility.
A fall or near-miss is worth discussing without blame. It may help to review balance, strength, medications, vision, and the home environment with appropriate professionals.
Fewer outings can have many causes, from access and transport to pain or confidence. Ask which activities they miss and what would make those activities easier.