These facts of life are not inevitably limiting. For nondisabled people, quality of life can be maintained by keeping active. Aging is a mix of psychological losses and gains. There can be sadness over the loss of youthful health, fear of approaching death, regret over certain life choices or missed opportunities, the loss of friends and loved ones, and increasing dependency on others. Aging also can bring increased maturity, wisdom, perspective, certainty of one's identity, joy in reaching a point of completion, and peace.
Psychological benefits can help offset physical decline.
The lost muscle mass that normally occurs with age becomes a greater issue when muscles are already weakened by paralysis or a genetic disorder such as a muscular dystrophy. As you age, you need to continue to exercise moderately to maintain relative strength as muscle mass declines, so that you can function as independently as possible. The ability to transfer to and from your wheelchair is probably the greatest concern. Loss of this ability is a key reason why a previously independent chair user might require the use of attendant services. Chair riders are already at increased risk of skin breakdown from sitting.