What does the medical term “LOL” really mean?
Did you know that LOL is an abbreviation for Little Old Lady that was commonly used in medical records. Actually, some providers probably still use it. In more recent years, medical providers are reminded that using disparaging terms to describe patients can result in negative health outcomes.
Here's what would be awesome - if being called a little old lady wasn't considered negative.
Yes, there are challenges to being female and to growing older.
These are the top physical markers of aging seen in physical therapy:
Decreased balance - i.e. the ability to stand on one leg
Decreased power - i.e. the ability to jump
Decreased ability to tolerate fast movements - i.e. the ability to change directions quickly
Decreased pelvic floor strength - i.e. the ability to have bladder control especially when put under pressure
Decreased bone strength - i.e. higher chance of sustaining a fracture if you fall
But - guess what - ALL of these are modifiable. It's a myth that it all goes downhill as we age. Here's the thing, believing you are going to be frail as you age can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Oftentimes, health care providers do feed into this belief by telling you things like - "Your knee hurts because you're getting older. It's time to give up (fill in the blank with your favorite activity)".
You can absolutely improve balance, strength, and agility as you age. It will take more work than it did when you were younger. Here's what you can do:
Believe that you are going to be strong and capable as you age
See your medical doctor to get your annual check ups, ask about your bone density.
See a physical therapist on a yearly basis to get a head to toe check on where your strength and balance can use extra attention
Walk daily
Lift weights
Notice what activities you're starting to shy away from (getting to the floor, jumping, skipping, playing catch) and actively try to keep that activity in your repertoire of skills.