Skip to main content

Poor Balance Can Lead to Falls


Falls among senior citizens are all too common, and in many cases, threaten a person’s independence and way of life. Injuries from falls include to the head, hip fractures, and in extreme cases lead to death; and poor balance is one of the reasons people fall.

Experts explain a person’s balance declines with age due to loss of sensory elements, the ability to integrate information and issue motor commands; and loss of musculoskeletal function as well as poor vision and inner ear problems. Certain medications and common medical conditions in older adults can also cause problems. Balance begins to decline in midlife, starting at about age 50. In one study, adults in their 30s and 40s could stand on one foot for a minute or more. By age 50, the time decreased to 45 seconds.

The National Institute on Aging (NIH) explains maintaining good balance as you age and learning about fall prevention can help you get around, stay independent, and carry out daily activities. Targeted exercises like walking, strength training and workouts designed to improve stability are some of the best ways to improve balance. Consult with your doctor as to whether a physical therapist or other professional could help design suitable exercises to improve your balance.

Also talk to your doctor about any dietary changes you should make if your balance problems are due to high or low blood pressure. Something as simple as eating less salt, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising may help with high blood pressure.

If you have low blood pressure and experience dizziness, do not stand up too quickly, drink plenty of fluids such as water and avoid alcohol. Your doctor may need to evaluate if it is safe for you to drive. To reduce your risk of a fall, avoid walking in the dark, wear low-heeled, rubber-soled shoes; and if you need a mobility aid such as a cane or walker, use it.

At MorningStar at River Oaks, our goal is to provide the finest assisted living Houston offers; and we are committed to the comfort, wellbeing, and safety of our remarkable residents. To accomplish this lofty goal, our approach considers every aspect of senior living from the design of our beautiful community to a broad range of care services, amenities, and wellness programs. We are in the Upper Kirby district and close to the River Oaks Medical Center, shopping, restaurants and Memorial Park.

MorningStar’s foundation is based on the mission to honor God, value seniors and invest in our staff to create a unique senior living experience. Set in a warm, welcoming atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest assisted living Houston has to offer. Please contact our team to inquire about availability, pricing or to set up a tour.

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How Many Steps Per Day for Better Health?

  We have all heard about the value of walking 10,000 steps a day but recent studies show it may not actually be the magic number. One study published by JAMA found walking 7,000 steps or more a day may decrease the risk for mortality and offer better overall health. In the cohort study of 2110 adults with a mean follow-up of 10.8 years, participants who walked at least 7000 steps a day, compared with those taking fewer than 7000 steps, had a 50% to 70% lower risk of mortality. Researchers also noted, “There was no association of step intensity with mortality regardless of adjustment for step volume.” A 2020 study found a decreased risk for mortality in participants who took 8,000 steps a day than those who only took 4,000 steps a day. In the same year, another study found more steps taken each day were linked to lower rates of diabetes. Researchers say the bottom line is evidence points to the importance of increased physical activity. Before you begin walking, talk to your health...
Post a Comment
Read more

Benefits for Assisted Living Available to Eligible Veterans or Surviving Spouse

Residents of the MorningStar Senior Living communities include veterans from all branches of the military and we are honored to serve them. As a MorningStar team member eloquently said, “Seniors speak powerfully to the fact that freedom comes at a cost. It requires that you choose to do the right thing which almost always includes sacrifice. Whether it’s time, money or comfort, those who came before us chose to sacrifice to build a better society.” When we meet a potential resident who is a veteran or a surviving spouse of a vet, and in need of assisted living ; we are pleased to direct them to a “Financial Concierge.” These financial services experts have the knowledge to ease and quicken the application process for “Aid & Attendance,” which is a benefit offered through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Aid & Attendance benefits are a tax-free pension paid directly to a qualified veteran or their spouse in the form of monthly payments, which is subject to change annuall...
Post a Comment
Read more

Learn More About MorningStar at River Oaks

MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at River Oaks is in the Upper Kirby District in Houston, and has 85 private assisted living suites in a variety of floorplans. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 27 suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. We are proud to offer our residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Our home is a part of MorningStar Senior Living, which has over 40 communities currently open or under construction across the country. MorningStar began in 2003 when founder Ken Jaeger had a dream to start a senior housing company that was defined by the human touch. He says, “I wanted to re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.” From this came our guiding principles and three mission statements our company is based on: Honor God in our business practices and relationships — a commitment to strong moral values and eth...
Post a Comment
Read more