Improving balance is as simple as taking steps toward building strength each day.
The older we get, the more difficulties we have with balance. Sometimes it’s because of changes in our eyesight; other times it can be caused by medication side effects, or the result of a loss of strength. Taking steps to help parents improve balance is essential, especially for the elderly. Not only will it help them live longer, but improved balance will also help people to live a healthier and more active life.
Balance importance
Without balance, we have a hard time staying on a steady course. Most importantly, improved balance helps to keep us from falling. This is good news, because falling can create a whole host of problems, including injury and even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that a third of all people over the age of 65 fall, each year; it’s the leading cause of injury for this age group.
One of the biggest problems with older people falling is hip fractures. The CDC reports that, in the year 2004 alone, over 320,000 people were hospitalized for hip fractures, and 90% of those fractures were caused by falls. Most people with hip fractures end up staying in the hospital for at least a week; 25% of those who lived independently before their fracture spend at least a year in a nursing home and 20% die within a year of sustaining the injury.
Making improvements
Luckily, there are a lot ways people can improve balance. The first step toward doing so is to find something that works for each person and then help them stick with it. Speak with the person’s physician if balance problems are being caused by medication. According to the Mayo Clinic, here are some good options for improving balance:
According to Dr. Mary Tinetti, a leading researcher in fall intervention at Yale University, to reduce risk of falling, should be tested for vision problems, osteoporosis, neuropathy in the feet, muscle weakness, blood pressure problems that occur when moving from lying to standing, vestibular (inner ear) dysfunction, and, above all, adverse drug effects, all of which can be risk factors for a fall. Additionally, you should look around your parents’ home to see if changes need to be made to improve upon safety. It’s important that homes be safe zones that do not lead to falls and injury. Improving balance for the elderly is possible, and it’s essential to maintaining good health.