It is important for older
adults to take precautions to prevent fall as the resulting injuries
tend to be more serious such as a broken hip or head trauma. However doctors also point
out that being sedentary is bad for our health regardless of how old we are and
it is important to keep moving.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA)
reports that one out of every four Americans aged 65 and
older falls every year but say there are things that seniors can do to help
prevent a fall. The trick is to find a
way to safely move about while taking into account any balance issues you may
experience.
As many adults are less active as they
get older, it can exacerbate the physical effects of aging. Experts
say, “Failure to engage in even mild exercise on a regular basis results in
reduced muscle strength, decreased bone mass, loss of balance and coordination,
and reduced flexibility.” Other issues
that can lead to falls include poor eyesight and taking medications with side-effects
such as drowsiness, dizziness and low blood pressure. Chronic health conditions including
Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and arthritis as well as problems with numbness in the
feet can also increase the risk of falls.
The good news is there are a variety
of easy-to-do balance-training exercises that can help seniors improve their
balance. Even if you rely on a cane or other assistive devices, balance
exercise can improve your mobility. While
many independent and assisted living communities such as MorningStar
of Billings offer a variety of exercises which can
help with balance, there are also exercises that can be done throughout the day
right at home. One example is to try
standing on one foot while close to the kitchen counter. If you need, keep your hand on the counter
for support and as you feel more confident try taking your hand off. Another thing you can do is to try and get
up from a chair without using your arms.
MorningStar
Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with our
unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a
foundation built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a
felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for residents. We invite
you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our exceptional independent living,
assisted living and memory care.
Source:
agingcare.com/articles/falls-in-elderly-people-133953.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment