How flexible am I in reality? The Joint Age Calculator tells you how old your joints really are
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
Physical activity and good nutrition are the keys to success
The importance of proper prevention is clearly demonstrated by the following statistics: Osteoarthritis is a widespread condition suffered by more than five million people in Germany. Half of all Germans over 60 years of age have joint ailments, and the number of people with joint problems is increasing. According to Germany’s Federal Statistical Office, last year more than 1.1 million operations were performed to treat joint conditions.
“The increasing number of osteoarthritis sufferers is due above all to the fact that people are living longer. But modern lifestyles, overweight and insufficient physical activity are also contributing to the problem,” says Hersborg. But what are the symptoms of osteoarthritis? “The joints feel hard and stiff, and swelling and ongoing pain in the joints develops. Stiff knees in the morning can be a sign of joint damage, and an indication that it’s time to see an osteopath,” says Hersborg.Feeling 70 — shopping in an aging suit
What do everyday activities feel like to senior citizens? What is it like at age 70 to climb stairs, pay at the cash register in a store, or read a bus schedule? All that’s needed to get a feel for these situations is to put on what’s called an “aging suit.” A cross between overalls and an astronaut’s suit, the aging suit features weights at various points to simulate the diminished strength of old age for the wearer, as well as a restricted range of movement in the arm and knee joints.
Ear covers impair hearing, especially of sounds at high frequencies. Changes in vision due to old age, such as presbyopia, reduced field of vision, and changed color vision can be simulated with special visors or glasses. Other components include gloves that allow the user to experience diminishing finger dexterity and reduced sensitivity.
Iris Börgerding, a 29-year-old journalist, underwent an abrupt aging process by putting on the suit, finding that “Life is full of obstacles; I face difficulties everywhere. I’m hard of hearing and it takes forever for me to pay at the cash register, and climbing stairs is torture.”
After a few hours she resumes living as usual, concluding “I feel like a new woman. Now I know how hard life is when you have bad joints — and I’m going to do everything possible to keep them in good shape.”
The importance of proper prevention is clearly demonstrated by the following statistics: Osteoarthritis is a widespread condition suffered by more than five million people in Germany. Half of all Germans over 60 years of age have joint ailments, and the number of people with joint problems is increasing. According to Germany’s Federal Statistical Office, last year more than 1.1 million operations were performed to treat joint conditions.
“The increasing number of osteoarthritis sufferers is due above all to the fact that people are living longer. But modern lifestyles, overweight and insufficient physical activity are also contributing to the problem,” says Hersborg. But what are the symptoms of osteoarthritis? “The joints feel hard and stiff, and swelling and ongoing pain in the joints develops. Stiff knees in the morning can be a sign of joint damage, and an indication that it’s time to see an osteopath,” says Hersborg.
What do everyday activities feel like to senior citizens? What is it like at age 70 to climb stairs, pay at the cash register in a store, or read a bus schedule? All that’s needed to get a feel for these situations is to put on what’s called an “aging suit.” A cross between overalls and an astronaut’s suit, the aging suit features weights at various points to simulate the diminished strength of old age for the wearer, as well as a restricted range of movement in the arm and knee joints.
Ear covers impair hearing, especially of sounds at high frequencies. Changes in vision due to old age, such as presbyopia, reduced field of vision, and changed color vision can be simulated with special visors or glasses. Other components include gloves that allow the user to experience diminishing finger dexterity and reduced sensitivity.
Iris Börgerding, a 29-year-old journalist, underwent an abrupt aging process by putting on the suit, finding that “Life is full of obstacles; I face difficulties everywhere. I’m hard of hearing and it takes forever for me to pay at the cash register, and climbing stairs is torture.”
After a few hours she resumes living as usual, concluding “I feel like a new woman. Now I know how hard life is when you have bad joints — and I’m going to do everything possible to keep them in good shape.”
