For elderly people, having the confidence to move around their home safely and prevent falls is essential for maintaining independence.
Though it can be difficult as we age to feel confident on our feet, there are plenty of practical steps you can take.
In this blog post, we discuss how you need to be aware of areas where your body is not as strong as it could be, helping you identify areas that you need to work on in order to improve your balance and mobility while preventing falls so you can move around with confidence and feel safe on your feet.
By following these tips, you will become more confident on your feet and reduce your risk of falling.
Tripping Hazards Around Your Home
It may seem like an obvious solution to prevent falls, but we all often leave things lying around our homes we could trip up on, and it may be more difficult for a person with poor mobility to avoid these trip hazards.
Elevating things like cords off the ground and securing scatter rugs can really help as these items can quickly become obstacles that lead to falls.
Exercises To Improve
A way to improve your mobility and prevent falls is through balance lead exercises.
These exercises can include simple things like standing on one foot. If your mobility is poor, you should start small. Hold a chair or the wall to begin practicing this exercise and when you begin to gain confidence, try to let go of the wall and stand on your own.
By building strength and balance, you will feel steadier on your feet and put you in control of your body making you better equipped to prevent falls.
Walking To Prevent Mobility Loss
Walking has long been heralded as a great exercise to stay fit and healthy, but it is also an effective preventative measure against physical ailments such as falls.
Research shows that those who engage in regular walking have significantly fewer hospital admissions for fall-related accidents than those who don't.
A regular, brisk walk not only build strength and muscle mass, they also help increase bone density which can prevent bone breaks due to a fall.
So keep active and get out there and walk–it's a great way to prevent falling while staying healthy too!
Eat Well And Stay Hydrated
It’s important for you to eat well to maintain your energy levels.
Lack of food can cause you to become weak which could result in a fall.
If you don’t have a large appetite, consider trying to eat small snacks throughout the day instead of 3 large meals. Eating something is always better than nothing!
Staying hydrated is also vital to preventing falls. Not drinking enough water can make you feel light-headed or dizzy which could decrease your sense of balance and energy levels, risking a fall.
To stay well hydrated, try to drink 6-8 glasses of water throughout the day.
How Physical Therapy Can Help You Prevent Falls
Physical therapy can be helpful in the prevention of falls, especially for older adults.
This is because physical therapists can develop tailored and specific exercises designed to prevent falling by strengthening muscles, improving balance and coordination, as well as promoting awareness of how your body works.
They can provide advice and guidance on how to prevent falls by modifying your environment and lifestyle. For example, a physical therapist might recommend specific exercise routines that target leg strength and balance.
All of these strategies contribute to reducing the risk of falls which can prevent serious injury and give you peace of mind.
Want A Permanent Solution To Prevent Falls And Be More Confident On Your Feet?
Are you feeling unstable on your feet and you're worried you may suffer a fall because of it?
We know the prospect of a fall can be worrying for people who have lost their confidence and could face losing their mobility completely in later life, but with our help, you can change that.
We can work with you to improve your mobility, and balance and reduce your risk of experiencing a nasty fall by creating a treatment plan personalized to you and your recovery.
Right now, we're offering a limited number of Free Independence Assessments where you can ask any questions you have to our expert physical therapists and discover the best treatment for you to secure a fully independent future without the risk of a nasty fall or losing your mobility.
Apply for your Free Independence Assessment by completing our simple form or calling our Waukesha clinic on (262) 349-9297
Right Now We Also Have...
A common problem that comes hand-in-hand with your balance is the condition of your feet.
If you're struggling with foot pain, have flat feet or have a foot deformity, custom orthotics could be the solution for you.
Custom orthotics help to support your foot, ensure your shoes fit properly, and can help to reduce pain in your foot and even eliminate it all together.
For a limited time, we are offering a balance and footcare assessment plus %10 off orthotics to improve your balance, and mobility and give you the best chance of an independent future.
Other Free Resources For Falls Prevention
Take our Fight The Fall Quiz where you can quickly find out your fall risk, and receive some free expert advice about preventing falls in the elderly and younger individuals struggling with their balance and coordination.
Read Our Blog - Balance Training To Overcome A Fear Of Falling
Read Our Blog - Do You Need To Improve Balance For Healthy Aging?
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