Senior Balance Exercises For Fall Prevention

Fall Prevention And Senior Balance Exercises

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

This year the federal government highlighted senior balance exercises as one of the keys to limiting falling for older adults on Fall Prevention Awareness Day. Please see  http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now According to the National Council On Aging, on Sunday, Sept. 22, the first day of fall, organizations in 47 states will observed the 6th annual national Fall Prevention Awareness Day by offering proven activities such as balance exercises,  strengthening exercises and home safety tips to help seniors stay safe. Every 15 seconds, an older adult is seen in an Emergency Department for a fall-related injury. Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for people aged 65+. “Falls are not a normal part of aging,” said (Bonita) Lynn Beattie, vice president of injury prevention at the National Council on Aging. Fall Awareness Prevention Day provides an opportunity for older adults and their families to take proactive steps to prevent falls and stay independent for as long as possible. On Sept. 19, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution designating Sept. 22, 2013 as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. Sen. Nelson (D-FL), Chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, introduced the resolution and was joined by Sen. Collins (R-ME), the Committee's Ranking Member; Appropriations Chairwoman Sen. Mikulski (D-MD); and six additional cosponsors—a record number for the resolution this year. Forty-seven states are participating, offering educational presentations, risk screenings, exercise classes, and other events around this year’s theme of Preventing Falls—One Step at a Time.

Studies show that a combination of interventions can significantly reduce falls among older adults. Experts recommend:

• A physical activity regimen with balance, strength training, and flexibility components

• Consulting with a health professional about getting a falls risk assessment

• Having medications reviewed periodically

• Getting vision and hearing checked annually

• Making sure the home environment is safe and supportive

• Talking to family members to enlist their support

Falls threaten seniors’ health and independence and are an increasingly costly health challenge. They cost more than $30 billion in direct medical costs from fatal and nonfatal injuries each year. For people aged 72+, the average health cost of a fall injury totaled $19,440 in 2010. Yet, there are evidence-based strategies, programs and services that can help older adults, their families and their health care partners in effective self-management of the risk of falling.

 

Senior Balance Exercises For Better Stability

One of the proven ways to improve balance and reduce the potential for a fall is to practice senior balance exercises on a regular basis. In Physical Therapy clinics, Assisted Living Facilities, Hospitals and Senior Centers across the country, older adults are learning strategies to enhance their steadiness through equilibrium routines. These stability exercises should be practiced on a consistent basis to develop the necessary connections between the balance center in the brain and the appropriate muscles in the trunk and legs which assist in balance.  Now you can rehearse a step by step sequence of necessary senior balance exercises developed by an experienced physical therapist in the exercise for balance DVD. This instructional DVD is designed for you to rehearse these simple to more complex stability exercises at your pace and in the convenience of your own home.

Senior Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    To help you or a loved one get cracking on the best balance exercises, get the Exercise For Balance DVD. The Balance DVD is simple to use at home or in a group setting. The Exercise For Balance DVD comes complete with the best balance and strength exercises needed to enhance senior fitness and to perform basic activities like walking, standing, stair climbing or to advance to high level activities like dancing and hiking. In the Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn how to improve balance, balance techniques and balance routines from a balance trainer (licensed Physical Therapist) who has worked with balance and dizziness disorders for over 20 years. Get your copy of the Exercise For Balance DVD by clicking on the BUY NOW button

Be apart of Fall Prevention Awareness and start 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/