How Older Adults Can Maintain Physical Dexterity

Decreased muscle mass, strength and cognitive functioning can lead to a decline in physical dexterity with age. This can affect your everyday life, including the ability to open jars, get dressed, cook, clean and feed yourself.

Older adults can reduce this progression with more physical activity and maintaining their cognitive health. Here’s what to keep in mind to help preserve manual dexterity.

How Physical Dexterity Changes With Age

Holding small objects and controlling finger movement both fall within the scope of manual dexterity. However, aging can affect how roughly 50 percent of adults aged 70 and older perform these actions.

Multiple factors contribute to impaired dexterity, including:

• Physical Changes: Starting around age 40, muscles weaken and ligaments become stiffer. Older adults are less likely to comfortably grip and maneuver small and medium-sized objects. Conditions like arthritis and nerve damage progress this issue.
• Cognitive Changes: These changes influence the body’s coordination due to impaired nervous system communication. Parkinson’s disease, stroke and other health conditions can further alter the mind-body connection.
• Changes In Vision: Older adults are more likely to have cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, which all can influence hand-eye coordination and how well you perceive objects.

Conditions Affecting Physical Dexterity

Older adults are more likely to experience physical dexterity issues if they have:

• Osteoarthritis: This degenerative condition causes cartilage around the joints to break down. Stiffness and pain can affect your fine motor skills and with time, your hands no longer grip objects as well.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: This inflammatory condition affects joints throughout the body, contributing to pain, stiffness, decreased motion and dexterity.
• Cubital and Carpal Tunnel Syndromes: These conditions affect the nerves passing from your shoulder to parts of your hand. Compression can result in pain, numbness and stiffness, potentially influencing how well you grip and move objects.
• Osteoporosis: Declining bone mass weakens your skeletal structure, increases risks for fractures and impacts your motor skills.
• Parkinson’s Disease: This condition affecting the central nervous system influences your movements, contributing to stiffness, tremors and balance issues. Early on, these signs emerge through handwriting and later affect your coordination and grip.

Tips for Maintaining Physical Dexterity

Uphold manual strength and routinely engage your brain in more cognitively challenging tasks, including:

• Hand Exercises: Perform hand-strengthening exercises, such as squeezing a ball or stretching a resistance band, along with low-impact strength training.
• Holistic Physical Activity: Focus on balance and flexibility training, as well as aerobic exercises. These activities keep your muscles engaged and help counteract hormonal-related changes. Aim for a minimum of 150 minutes per week.
• Play Games: Choose games that require hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
• Find a Physical Hobby: Jenga, knitting and gardening all involve fine motor skills.
• Remain Social: Seeing friends, family and meeting new people can help keep you physically active and mentally present.
• Bring Your Concerns To a Doctor: Notify the doctor of any changes in grip strength and ability to hold or move objects.

If you’re concerned about changes in physical dexterity, contact the medical team at Avon Health Center today.