How the Elderly can Improve their Balance and Geriatric Care in Dallas Fort Worth

Every year, one out of three people over the age of 65 will fall. As we get older, our body becomes more and more susceptible to losing their balance and falling. This is because many changes happen in our bodies as we age:

• Our muscles become weaker;
• Our bones become more fragile;
• Our reaction time becomes slower;
• Our reflexes become weaker;
• We get stiffer; and
• Our vision deteriorates

Therefore, it is important to recognize that if you are elderly or know someone (i.e., a grandparent), then there are things you can do to improve your balance, so the risk of falling is greatly reduced.

There are a variety of ways in which balance can be improved, some of which include:

• Exercising;
• Walking;
• Practicing yoga; and
• Using standing devices (e.g., stability ball). By trying these things, you will be able to improve your balance and stay on your feet!

The benefit of exercise in improving balance in the elderly

The major advantage of doing exercise to improve balance is increasing muscle strength and decreasing muscle stiffness.

By having stronger muscles, your risk of falling decreases as the chance of losing your balance is less likely. Also, by reducing stiffness in the muscles, you will maintain good posture and move more fluidly, which helps with balance.

New treatments like the Emsculpt NEO platform can help you burn fat and build muscle quickly without surgery or medication. This can help to decrease your risk of falling.

Walking to improve balance is highly recommended because it involves the body’s large muscles needed for good balance.

Walking also increases your heart rate, makes you breathe harder, and gets rid of any excess fluid that may be in your legs. All of these things help with proper blood flow throughout your body which improves your balance.

Yoga is also a good way of improving balance in the elderly because it strengthens muscles and can help relax nerves which often become tense due to age and loss of balance.

Furthermore, practicing yoga helps with flexibility and self-awareness (i.e., knowing where and how your body moves).

Standing devices are also helpful when used properly. These devices include stability balls, balance boards, and wobble cushions.

They challenge your equilibrium (i.e., the ability of the body to know where it is in space) which helps improve muscle strength and posture, thus helping with improving balance.

The benefits of staying active as we age

By remaining active as we age, we can improve balance in the following ways:

• It helps you maintain your muscle strength.
• It can decrease stiffness in muscles.
• It improves your heart rate, breathing, and blood flow, which helps with good posture and moving fluidly, thus helping balance.

Importance of diet to improve balance in the elderly

In addition to regular exercise, a well-balanced diet is important for maintaining good health. Eating healthy foods will help you stay strong, decrease the risk of getting osteoporosis, leading to fractures, and increase your energy levels, which helps with balance.

Certain nutrients can help to improve balance in the elderly. Some of them are as follows:

• Vitamin D: Some studies have shown that people who lack Vitamin D in their body tend to experience a decrease in muscle strength and lower bone density which can lead to osteoporosis, thus making it easier to lose balance and fall.
• Calcium: Eating foods high in calcium, such as dairy products, will increase bone density, making you less likely to have fractures.
• Antioxidants: This helps reduce free radical damage, which in turn can slow down the aging process and increase your ability to fight certain diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis, thus improving balance in the elderly.
• Omega 3 fatty acids: By eating food sources of omega-three fatty acids (e.g., salmon, flaxseed oil, walnuts), you can decrease your risk for heart disease, which is often linked with balance problems in the elderly.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C helps with collagen production, which is important for skin elasticity and strength, thus preventing sagging skin, and contributing to falling risk.
• Magnesium: This mineral is important for bone strength, energy production, and preventing constipation. Improved bone strength and energy will help to decrease fall risk.

Visit your doctor if you are experiencing any balance issues

If you are experiencing balance issues or other related medical conditions, it is important to visit your doctor. It will help if you inform your physician about all of the medications you are currently taking and any health conditions that you may have.

Furthermore, telling them about your lifestyle can also be beneficial because you will know what to do to improve balance in the elderly. After all, they will have more information about you.

Getting regular eye exams is also important for improving balance in the elderly. Some studies have shown that vision loss may cause problems with proprioception (i.e., the ability to know where your body parts are without looking at them), thus causing loss of balance.

Furthermore, if you experience any pain or issues with your eyes or vision, make sure to tell your doctor.

Take your medication regularly

When your doctor prescribes you medication, you must take them regularly. Not taking your medication properly can lead to many problems, such as worsening your balance, thus making it harder to walk.

Furthermore, if your drug causes side effects, tell your doctor to find another solution for the problems you are experiencing.

How Prime MD Plus can help

Falls can be a serious problem for older adults, and Prime MD Plus is here to help. Our board-certified geriatrician can evaluate falls and treat the underlying causes.

Our team will health address multiple health concerns which may include social and psychological issues and medical problems.

Our focus is on providing attentive and compassionate care to our patients. Our doctor will connect you with the right community resources including an interdisciplinary team of social workers and other specialists, and coordination of care in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and acute care for elders units (ACE unit).

We will work with you to develop a plan to prevent future falls and help you live a healthier and more active life. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.

Conclusion

Many older adults experience difficulty with balance which can lead to potential falls and injuries. In order to help older adults preserve themselves it is important to have good strength, healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and visit your doctor regularly.

High-quality health care with a doctor specially trained to treat the elderly is important. Avoid long wait times that you may see at large health systems like UT southwestern medical center.

Get connected with an only ace unit, nursing home, or assisted living facility with the help of a specialist. A geriatrics specialists focus is on the care of the elderly.

If you are looking to consult with a board-certified geriatric and internal medicine doctor in one of Dallas-Fort Worth’s age-friendly health systems about falls, or need help managing balance issues without medication, visit primemdplus.com.