Balance Problems ?

Do you feel like you’re slowing down and worry about falling? If so, this blog post can help you.

Good balance is essential for many everyday activities, including walking, using stairs, and working around the house.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 36 million older adults fall each year, and 20% of falls result in serious injuries such as broken bones or head injuries.

Luckily, falls are preventable and do not have to be an inevitable part of aging.

So how can you or a loved one stay on your feet and avoid falling?

Lack of physical activity and the resulting loss of muscle strength is a major reason older adults experience a decline in balance and physical strength, especially in the lower body.

Physical activity is the most effective way to reduce the risk of falling -- it really is "use it or lose it."

And, the best part? Being more active can be fun. There are many socially engaging, enjoyable and affordable ways to increase your physical movement, while also reaping the benefits of better heart health and fall prevention.

To start, you should understand your fall risk.

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a simple at-home test used to assess a person’s mobility and balance. seek help of our experienced therapist to perform tests and analyze results from the test.

Take Steps to Prevent Falls

If you’re an older adult or caring for an aging loved one, you can take action to prevent falls in the home.

Evaluate Your Senior Loved One’s Home

One-third of falls take place due to environmental hazards in the home. Loose area rugs. Poor lighting. Low furniture such as coffee tables. Torn carpeting. Wires and cords. Each of these items can present a fall hazard to an aging loved one.

Assess your loved one’s home for these hazards and others, including:

• Stairs without a handrail

• Slippery bathtubs or tubs without a handrail

• Loose stair treads

• Uneven floors

• Clutter

Consider adding assistive devices in the home such as chair lifts or a shower chair. A cane or a walker may help an aging loved one get around safely, too.

Consider placing lights on motion sensors. Or use smart lights that can be controlled remotely by the senior to improve visibility.

Have Your Loved One’s Vision Checked

Regular eye exams are a good idea because they may reveal treatable medical conditions. They are also a huge factor in fall prevention. Seniors should have annual eye exams to ensure their corrective lens prescriptions are up to date and to detect any vision problems, such as glaucoma or cataracts that could lead to falls.

Improve Balance with Regular Exercise

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends strength, balance, and agility training to help prevent falls.

Activities such as yoga and tai chi have been shown to reduce the risk of falls, too. Weight training and aerobic activity such as walking are also important components to a senior exercise program.

Contact us today to find out more!

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