If you want to stay healthy and active as a senior, working on your sense of balance is essential. Having a solid understanding of balance can help you avoid the injuries that sideline other seniors and continue enjoying an independent lifestyle. If you aren’t sure where to start, let us walk you through the basics of how to improve balance for seniors.
Why Do You Need to Work on Your Balance as You Age?
Seniors are often advised to work on improving their balance as they get older. The truth is that working to maintain your sense of balance is a smart idea no matter what your age is. However, there are several issues that often present unique balance challenges to seniors in particular:
- Seniors experience sarcopenia, which is a condition that results from the natural loss of muscle mass as a person ages. This loss of muscle can contribute to weakened joints and an overall loss of balance.
- Vertigo is also a common issue for seniors. It typically results from a build-up of fluid in the inner ear, which can make seniors feel dizzy or like they are “falling” even when they are standing in place.
- Medication side effects can cause unsteadiness for seniors. Antidepressants, tranquilizers, and anti-seizure medications can all contribute to balance issues.
- A senior’s lifestyle can also significantly impact their balance. If a senior is typically sedentary, that can contribute to muscle loss. Poor nutrition, in particular a lack of iron or low blood sugar, is often commonly cited as a risk to a senior’s sense of balance.
What Can I Do About It?
The bad news is that seniors do have to take balance more seriously than others. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to help yourself stay on your feet:
- Talk to your doctor about how your current medications and health conditions may affect your balance. They can offer advice and adjust dosages as needed. If you experience dizziness or vertigo, be sure to discuss that as well. Those symptoms may indicate other issues that need to be addressed.
- Having a consistent movement routine can help you stay active and aware of your body, which helps balance issues. If you currently have a sedentary lifestyle, trying a group class for seniors can be a low-stakes and fun way to give it a shot!
- Adding balance exercises to your movement routine is a smart way to get proactive about maintaining your sense of balance. These exercises also build muscles and strengthen joints, which can lead to other health benefits.
- It’s important for seniors to eat mindfully, as appetites naturally shrink as we age. Be sure to eat regularly so your blood sugar does not unexpectedly dip, and try to have a protein and iron-rich plate at every meal.
- Sometimes, seniors with balance issues benefit from additional day-to-day support. If you need a little extra help with the items on this list, a senior living community can provide it.
Now that you know how to improve balance for seniors, you can do something about it. What can you do today to give yourself a better sense of balance tomorrow?
Are you looking for an assisted living community in Tennessee? Check out Hearthside Senior Living in Collierville and Bartlett. Our warm and inviting communities make it easy for seniors to embrace a healthy lifestyle with home-cooked and restaurant-style meals, exercise classes, and a nurse devoted to residents’ health and wellness. We would be happy to schedule a tour so you can explore the community, speak with the Community Director, meet some of the residents, and ask any questions you might have. To learn more about our amenities and services, please call 901-266-3329 (Bartlett) or 901-854-6590 (Collierville). We look forward to meeting you!