When Walking Fails

the long version

Roughly one in ten adult Americans find their walking slowed by progressive chronic conditions. Author Iezzoni describes the personal experiences of and societal responses to adults whose mobility makes it difficult for them to live as they wish--partly because of physical and emotional conditions and partly because of persisting societal and environmental barriers. Basing her conclusions on personal experience, a wealth of survey data, and extensive interviews with dozens of people from a wide social spectrum, Iezzoni explains who has mobility problems and why; how mobility difficulties affect people's physical comfort, attitudes, daily activities, and relationships with family and friends throughout their communities; strategies for improving mobility; and how the health care system addresses mobility difficulties, providing and financing services and assistive technologies.--From publisher description.