When connecting ligaments lose their stretchability, older people have pain and foot problems. When the padding of fat between the bones and the bottom of the foot becomes thinner, as does the skin on the toes, discomfort, bruises, or calluses commonly occur. The feet become less sensitive to temperature changes with age. Care must be taken to guard against scalding or freezing the feet without being aware of it. Changes in the muscle system sometimes make routine tasks more difficult and tend to affect breathing, urination, and defecation.
Muscular disabilities are usually preventable with physical training and postural exercise.
Lack of activity aggravates disability from musculoskeletal changes. One of the primary ways of assuring mobility is to find out about and practice appropriate exercises. The value of walking cannot be underestimated as a means of keeping mobile and feeling fit. Teeth and Mouth. People past 55 tend to develop decay in the neck of the tooth near the gumline.