According to the CDC<\/a>, 1 in 4 older adults fall every year and falling once doubles a person\u2019s chance for falling again.<\/p>\n In many incidences, falls result in injury, hospitalization, and death. Due to the common health implications that come with age, seniors are especially susceptible to falling.<\/p>\n Even though we cannot prevent all falls, seniors can take proactive steps to reduce their risks. One way is to improve overall balance.<\/p>\n To create context, we are talking about all the elements involved in physical balance of the body. Balance is the body\u2019s ability to correct itself via proactive reactions in order to stay upright and to prevent falling.<\/p>\n There are two types of balance: static and dynamic. Static balance is the body\u2019s ability to maintain balance in a non-moving position such as standing or sitting in place.<\/p>\n Dynamic balance is the body\u2019s ability to maintain an upright position while in movement such as walking, jumping, turning, or running.<\/p>\n In the elderly, loss of balance can occur when the body’s ability to maintain an upright position is compromised. For example, when you have joint stiffness, muscle weakness, constant fatigue, neuropathy as a result of diabetes and other illness. You may experience challenges in dynamic balance because the body is not able to counteract the forces that keep you staying in an upright position.<\/p>\n The body\u2019s ability to balance is centered in the vestibular system, which is a sensory system responsible for equilibrium. The vestibular system helps the body recognize vertical and horizontal movement using a combination of visual and proprioceptive (body awareness in space) input.<\/p>\n For example, the eyes scan the environment and pick up that the body is riding in a car and watching the environment fly by the window.<\/p>\n The vestibular body helps the body come to terms with the horizontal movement in the window, thus keeping the body\u2019s postural ability upright.<\/p>\n Balance is much more than just the vestibular system, which means it\u2019s a phenomenon that relies on the whole body\u2019s state of being: muscle strength, endurance, energy, circulation, nervous system, joint stability, and the list goes on.<\/p>\n If any one of these areas is impacted due to injury or illness, that balance can be compromised leading to falls.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n There are numerous ailments that can affect balance in the elderly. Any illness that causes weakness, fatigue, loss of sensation, dizziness, atypical movement patterns, and reduced vision can lead to falls or loss of balance.<\/p>\n Examples include ear infections, vertigo, macular degeneration, nerve damage or impingement (sciatica, multiple sclerosis, ALS, stroke), heart disease, blood pressure irregularities, respiratory failure, joint dislocations, fractures, muscle tears\/sprains, post-surgical conditions (joint replacements), etc.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n There are endless forms of exercise that seniors can use to improve their overall balance<\/a><\/strong>, and with the age of the internet these exercises can be immediately accessed for free.<\/p>\nWhat Causes Loss of Balance in the Elderly?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How is Balance Related to Falls In The Elderly?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What Health Problems Reduce Balance in The Elderly?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What Are Some Good Balance Exercises For Seniors?<\/strong><\/h2>\n