Most seniors tend to focus on strength and flexibility when they’re trying to get fit, but balance is also an essential part of good health. This often overlooked aspect of fitness can help seniors complete their daily tasks without slipping, tripping, stumbling, or falling. Like any other physical skill, balance can be increased with practice and the right equipment. Use these tips to help your senior loved one learn how to maintain better balance.
Try Balance Exercises at Home
The ability to balance is a delicate process that requires extensive coordination between small stabilizing muscles, nerves, and areas of the brain that regulate spatial orientation. Seniors can do simple exercises at home, such as standing on one foot, walking by placing the heel in front of the toe, or lifting one leg slowly, to increase their balance. Make sure your loved one performs these exercises while holding onto a family member or chair to prevent falls.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Huntsville Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Build Core Strength
Balance can be increased by exercising the areas of the body related to balance. However, another key aspect of building balance skills is increasing overall muscular strength in the core. Having strong muscles in the abdominal, back, buttock, and thigh regions can help seniors keep their balance. Core strength can be increased simply by spending more time standing.
Pay Attention to Ear and Eye Health
Eyesight or inner ear issues can upset the body’s natural balance and cause a senior to have difficulty balancing properly. Schedule regular eye and ear exams to make sure your loved one isn’t experiencing eyesight or hearing issues, and seek immediate treatment if he or she is.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted elder care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help.
Take a Yoga or Tai Chi Class
Basic home exercises are great, but seniors can take their balance to the next level by joining a class designed to increase balance. Many yoga and tai chi classes contain a blend of various poses that build muscles and nerve connections required to stay upright. Since these types of classes take place with a practiced teacher, they’re often highly effective.
Use Balance Aids
Falls can cause injuries that impair balance in the long run. If your loved one is having difficulty with balance, it’s better to get an aid instead of trying to make him or her balance independently. Depending on your loved one’s mobility level, a walker or a cane can help him or her balance better and move around more safely.
Maintaining better balance can make it easier for older adults to age in place successfully. Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Huntsville, AL, seniors can depend on. Call (256) 716-9940 to speak with one of our friendly Care Managers today.