As you age, your risk for falling dramatically increases. These falls can change your life in many ways. When discussing fall prevention, there are 2 main factors to consider. Assessing and making changes in your environment and fitness level should be the primary focus when trying to prevent falls.
1. Create a Safe Environment at Home
Does your home have any obstacles in your walking path? Are there any rugs present? Is there enough lighting throughout? Do your shoes fit properly? Do you have grab bars in your bathroom?
If you want to stay as independent as possible, try to check off this list when examining your home.
• Proper Lighting
• Space to roam throughout
• Type of flooring is even and the same height; are rugs present
• Furniture is the right height 20” from the floor
• Cabinets are easy to reach
• Support Bars are installed
• Vision Checks yearly
• Proper Fitting Footwear
• Front Entrance is easily accessible
• Medicines that do not have counteractive side effects
2. Start a Fitness Program.
[Before starting a fitness program, always make sure to consult your doctor.]
A well designed fitness plan includes a variety of exercises and should include the following:
• Water Therapy. This will reduce joint stress, assist in eliminating inflammation, and strengthen muscles.
• Strength exercises. Participate in exercises that specifically focus on your small muscle groups to improve your overall balance.
• Dynamic exercises. These are functional exercises that incorporate more than one movement.
• Balance Apparatus. These are machines that are specifically geared towards improving balance and proprioception by teaching the body and brain to control weak muscles and joints. Examples are Biodex Balance Machines that help record your balance challenges and track areas of improvements.
At Sterling Estates, we strive to improve our Residents’ balance and fall risk. We accomplish this by engaging them in Balance Challenges, Warm Water Therapy, Dyna-Fit Classes, and One-on-one Personal Training. All of these exercises help to improve balance and proprioception.
Focusing on Strength, Balance and Room Safety guarantee you are heading in the right direction to reducing your risk of falling!
Recent Posts
Get Notified When We Post Content
Archives
April 2022July 2021
April 2021
January 2021
December 2020
June 2020
February 2020
January 2020
September 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
February 2019
December 2018
November 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
June 2017
January 2017
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016