They tell you that you need to slow down and enjoy the small things in life. And most of the time, that’s good solid advice. But just be sure you don’t take it too literally.
Because if your actual walking speed becomes more of a crawl… and stays there… you may be looking at a big red flag for a future problem.
A newly published study has sounded an alarm and comes with a significant warning. The researchers say that walking significantly slower than you usually do may be your first warning sign that your brain is at risk.
In fact, slow walking could signal that you’re headed towards cognitive decline and even dementia.
But as frightening as that may sound, it’s actually an opportunity. Because when you know what to look for, you won’t miss the chance to take early action that could help slow, stop, and even reverse the damage.
Keep a step ahead of dementia risk
Many cases of “senior moments” are just that. They’re a momentary lapse and nothing more. They’re NOT a sign of something worse.
Yet, for some folks, those senior moments do appear to be linked to decline and dementia. And to be honest, that’s absolutely mystified researchers.
Scientists have been searching for a way to pinpoint which folks are simply suffering run-of-the-mill brain burps and which are more likely to progress into dementia.
And, to be honest, they’ve struggled to spot the difference between the two groups.
That’s where the new study offers a MAJOR clue. It reveals who may be at higher risk. And that is the folks whose senior moments are accompanied by that slower gait.
When the two measures strike together, your odds of progressing from common “impairment” into decline and dementia rise.
What to do when you’re slowing down
Now, to be clear, it’s normal to slow down a bit as we get older. We tend to walk more carefully because we know a fall could be disastrous. And our muscles often lose some of their strength. (See yesterday’s Healthier Talk for the secret to restoring that strength.)
So don’t sweat it too much.
But if you notice a sudden considerable slow down (or spot it in a loved one), there are two actions you can take to help minimize the risk of it turning into something worse.
- Visit your doctor: Suddenly walking slower could indicate a developing neurological issue. And that same problem could also eventually lead to the dementia risk identified in the new study. See your doctor or a neurologist to make sure everything is working right under the hood.
- Pick up the pace: Sometimes, we simply slow down because we’re getting less active. But inactivity is a major risk factor for decline and dementia. So safely pick up your pace a little. Work on walking further and faster, so you get the daily activity needed for good overall health and brain function. Just make sure you’re doing it the RIGHT way.
And, keep in mind, we’re not always the best judge of changes in ourselves. So don’t count on your own judgment of whether or not you’ve slowed down alone. Instead, ask friends and loved ones for input as well.
Or visit your doctor for more complete testing of your physical function. Even if you’re fit as a fiddle and have no concerns about dementia right now, a gait test today can give you something to measure against during future annual checkups.
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