Vision Tips And Senior Balance Exercises

Senior Balance Exercises For Visual Deficits

By Suzanne Stoke, Physical Therapist @ Exercise For Balance via www.exerciseforbalance.com

  Vision is the primary sense the brain uses for balance and therefore those with visual problems would benefit from practicing senior balance exercises. Please see   http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now The balance center in the brain integrates input from three main sources: the eyes, the inner ear vestibular system and the sense of touch, especially from the feet. Age-related eye problems can lead to vision loss, especially for those 60 years of age and above. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of vision loss increases rapidly with age, especially among those 75 and older (Prevent Blindness America, 2008). Many eye diseases occur as a result of health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Many symptoms of eye diseases develop without any warning.

The following are some age-related vision problems:

•    Age-related macular degeneration (AMD):  The center of light sensitive retina at the back of the eye called the macular is affected causing loss of central vision. This can cause problems for reading, driving and recognizing faces.

Diabetic retinopathy : This affects those with diabetes due to progressive damage to the tiny blood vessels that keep the retina healthy. The retinal tissue swells and clouds the vision.

•    Retinal detachment: The retina is torn or separated from the tissue underneath due to changes in the gel-like vitreous fluid in the back of the eye.

•    Cataracts: They are cloudy or opaque areas in the normally clear lens of the eye.

•    Glaucoma: In this type of eye problem, the optic nerve is damaged.

•    Dry eyes:  Tears are important for clear vision. Dry eyes is characterized by insufficient amount of tears to the eye. 

   Additionally, individuals who suffer with vision problems also experience imbalance and a greater risk of falling. Consequently, it is essential for older adults with vision deficits to rehearse senior balance exercises to enhance their stability and minimize the possibility of a fall.

Senior Balance Exercises For Those With Poor Vision

  Practicing certain senior balance exercises is critical for folks with visual deficits. One of the main components of equilibrium routines is the principle of focusing on the sensory input from the feet. To compensate for visual problems, you can concentrate on the sense of touch between your feet and the floor to enhance your steadiness. As an example, when you first stand up from a chair or the bed, center your body weight in the middle of your feet. In this position, focus on the sensory feedback from your feet and the floor. You can practice this steadiness strategy and other specific senior balance exercises by following the direction of a knowledgeable Physical Therapist in the Exercise For Balance DVD.

Senior Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    For senior citizens with visual problems, please initiate a program of the best balance exercises with the Exercise For Balance DVD. The healthcare professional recommended Exercise For Balance DVD is an excellent educational DVD to use at home or in a group setting. The easy to understand and to follow Exercise For Balance DVD includes  a step by step series of up to date balance and strength exercises necessary to optimize senior fitness and to perform basic daily activities like shopping, doing laundry,  walking, standing, cleaning house, stair climbing or to advance to more difficult activities like skiing, dancing, bocce ball and hiking. In the  comprehensive Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn how to improve stability, steadiness techniques and balance routines from a  qualified balance specialist --- licensed Physical Therapist---who has worked with balance and dizziness disorders for over 25 years. Get your copy of the Exercise For Balance DVD by clicking on the BUY NOW button

Stay steady by starting balance exercises today with the Exercise For Balance DVD to improve balance and prevent falls.
For more information see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health-information/