Legendary singer, Dionne Warwick is recovering after leg and foot pain forced her to cancel an October 11 appearance at Carnegie Hall in New York. The 85-year-old singer had been scheduled to participate in the Deborah Silver & Fabulous Friends: Voices for ALS benefit at Zankel Hall. On October 13, her representative told PEOPLE she was feeling “much better.”
In a statement to Page Six, Warwick explained: “My leg and foot would not allow me to stand nor walk at the moment.” She said the pain required her to step back and focus on recovery. She previously underwent leg surgery in September 2025. The reports do not establish whether that surgery is connected to her current symptoms.
Her experience raises a health question many families face: What can make standing or walking difficult as someone gets older—and what can help preserve mobility?
The available reports do not identify Warwick’s diagnosis. Pain that prevents someone from bearing weight is also different from paralysis. Understanding the cause requires a medical evaluation.
Standing and walking depend on several systems working together, including muscles, joints, nerves, circulation and balance. A problem in any of these areas can affect mobility.
Osteoarthritis can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in weight-bearing joints. When it affects the hips, knees, ankles or feet, everyday movements—getting out of a chair, climbing stairs or walking across a room—can become difficult.
Severe pain may make someone reluctant or unable to put weight on an affected joint. However, a sudden inability to walk should not automatically be attributed to arthritis or age. NIAMS
Peripheral neuropathy, or damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, can affect the feet and legs. Symptoms may include burning pain, tingling, numbness or muscle weakness.
Diabetes is one possible cause. Reduced sensation can also make it harder to notice a foot injury, allowing a blister or sore to worsen. Pain, weakness and loss of sensation can each interfere with safe walking. ninds.nih.gov
Peripheral artery disease, known as PAD, reduces blood flow to the limbs. It commonly causes leg aching, cramping or heaviness during walking that improves with rest. More advanced disease can cause pain even when a person is resting and wounds that heal poorly.
For Black readers, this deserves attention: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute reports that African Americans are more likely to experience PAD complications, including walking problems. Recurring leg pain should be discussed with a clinician.
Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, called sarcopenia, can make standing from a chair, climbing stairs and maintaining balance more challenging.
This usually develops gradually. It should not be used to explain away an abrupt inability to stand or walk. Strength training can help many older adults maintain or improve physical function.
Sometimes the main difficulty is dizziness or unsteadiness rather than pain. Balance disorders, a drop in blood pressure when standing, and certain medications can make a person feel unsafe on their feet.
According to the National Institutes on Aging, sleep medicines, sedatives, some antidepressants and certain blood pressure medicines may contribute. A medication review can help identify potential problems; people should not stop prescribed medicines on their own.
A sudden inability to stand or walk needs urgent medical assessment. Call 911 if it occurs with new one-sided weakness, facial drooping, speech difficulty, or problems breathing or swallowing. These symptoms can signal a medical emergency.
Other concerning symptoms include:
These symptoms require prompt evaluation rather than an attempt to “walk it off.”
No routine can prevent every illness or injury. But older adults can take practical steps to support strength, balance and independence.
Walking supports health, but maintaining mobility also requires muscle strength and balance.
The CDC recommends that adults 65 and older aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, muscle-strengthening activity on at least two days, and activities that improve balance. Those unable to meet these goals should stay as active as their abilities and conditions allow.
Resistance bands, appropriately chosen weights and supported chair rises may help build strength. Tai chi and supported balance exercises can help with stability. Anyone who feels unsteady should have sturdy support nearby and seek guidance from a clinician or physical therapist before trying unfamiliar movements.
A new limp, repeated stumbling, increasing foot pain or difficulty getting out of a chair deserves attention.
Describe when symptoms occur, where they hurt and whether rest helps. For example, leg pain that repeatedly begins during walking and eases after stopping may warrant an evaluation for circulation problems. Arthritis treatment may include tailored exercise, physical therapy, medication or other interventions.
Follow the treatment plan for diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, and report new numbness, weakness or leg pain.
People with diabetes should pay particular attention to their feet. Check for cuts, blisters, redness and sores, including injuries that do not hurt. Nerve damage can reduce sensation, making a serious foot problem easier to miss.
Ask a clinician or pharmacist whether any medicines could be contributing to dizziness or poor balance.
At home, improve lighting, clear walking paths and use secure handrails or grab bars where needed. Well-fitting footwear and a properly fitted cane or walker can also help. A clinician may recommend physical therapy or a walking aid after assessing fall risk.
Warwick’s reported improvement is encouraging. For older adults and their families, the broader lesson is to take changes in mobility seriously: Seek care for new symptoms, build strength safely and get support before everyday movement becomes more difficult.
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