Gait Speed: The 6th Vital Sign

Is How Fast You Walk Really a Barometer of Health?

Lately, I’ve noticed something about my mom.  She’s still doing well. She’s still independent. She’s still the Mom I know and love.   But she’s walking… a little slower.

Not dramatically. Not in a way that would make anyone panic. Just more carefully. More deliberately. Taking her time.

At first, I brushed it off. After all, isn’t that just part of getting older? But then I learned something that stopped me in my tracks:

Walking speed — or gait speed — is considered one of the most important predictors of health in older adults.

Some clinicians even call it the “6th vital sign.”

That surprised me. But the more I looked into it, the more it made sense.

The “6th Vital Sign”

Most of us are familiar with the traditional vital signs:

1. Heart rate

2. Blood pressure

3. Temperature

4. Respiratory rate

5. Oxygen saturation

But researchers and healthcare providers have found that walking speed is also a powerful window into overall health.

It’s often used to assess and monitor mobility, strength, and balance. And walking speed is not just about the legs.  It reflects what’s happening in the whole body — and even the brain.

Why Slowing Down Can Be a Signal

When an older adult begins walking more slowly, it may be a sign of:

·      Reduced strength

·      Balance changes

·      Joint pain

·      Fear of falling

·      Neurological changes

·      Fatigue or low energy

·      Early health issues that haven’t been diagnosed yet

Sometimes slowing down is temporary. For example, it may happen during recovery after an illness or surgery. But sometimes it’s an early indicator that something deeper is going on.

That’s why walking speed has become such a robust measure in clinical settings.

But it’s families and caregivers who often notice the subtle changes in gait speed first.

How You Can Assess Gait Speed

Watch for subtle shifts in how your older adult loved one walks day to day. Here are a few signs to pay attention to:

·      They shuffle more

·      They pause before stepping off a curb

·      They are very slow and deliberate on stairs

·      They move more cautiously in crowds

·      They seem slower getting from room to room

These are changes in patterns of daily living — and they matter. Often, caregivers pick up on these changes long before a doctor sees them in an office visit.

When It’s Time to Talk to a Healthcare Provider

If you notice your loved one moving slower, walking less, or becoming more cautious, it may be time for a visit to their healthcare provider. You can simply say, “I’ve noticed his/her walking speed has changed recently.” That observation alone is valuable.

A clinician may choose to do a more formal gait speed assessment — which is quick and simple — and can help guide next steps such as:

·      Physical therapy

·      Strength and balance exercises

·      Fall prevention planning

·      Medication review

·      Further evaluation 

The Takeaway: Walking Speed IS a Window Into Well-Being

Watching my mom slow down reminded me of something important. As one of her caregivers, I play a huge role in helping her stay safe and healthy both today and into the future. Health changes are often subtle and quiet. And walking speed is one of them — a simple but powerful barometer of health.

So if you notice a change in your parent of other adult loved one, trust your intuition and bring it up with a healthcare provider. As a caregiver, one of your roles is to simply pay attention. And that attention can make all the difference.

Help for Aging in Place

At Help for Aging in Place, we believe that noticing small changes — like a slower walk — can help families ask the right questions and start important conversations that support health and well-being.   

Because aging safely and independently at home doesn’t come from guessing.  It comes from noticing, understanding, and taking the right steps (pun intended) to support people we love.