Which condition is listed as affecting mobility in older adults?

• A. Osteoarthritis
• B. Gout
• C. Dementia
• D. Multiple Sclerosis

Answer: (A)

Mobility limitations in older adults are most commonly due to osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that often affects weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and spine. The wear-and-tear wear of articular cartilage leads to pain, stiffness, and swelling, which reduce range of motion and make activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and getting in and out of chairs more difficult. This direct impact on the joints most needed for movement explains why it’s the condition most associated with decreased mobility in aging.

Gout can cause joint pain during flares, but these are typically episodic rather than a sustained mobility limitation seen with aging. Dementia primarily involves cognitive changes that affect safety and daily functioning rather than steadier, chronic joint-related mobility loss. Multiple sclerosis can cause gait problems, but it often presents earlier in life and is less consistent as a aging-related mobility issue.