Losing balance and falling is one of the biggest risks of injury for seniors. Plus, it can be frustrating to feel yourself losing balance and having to miss out on the activities you love or not being able to accomplish daily chores.

If you notice that you are feeling a bit more out of balance as you grow older, it’s time to start following some tips to improve your balance so you can stay on your feet longer.

Four balance tips the elderly should try

Addressing balance issues as early as possible may help you improve the outlook of your treatment program. If you feel yourself struggling to balance, you should try these four tips as soon as you can:

1. Talk to your doctor — Loss of balance in seniors is usually related to the muscles and joints growing more weak and stiff. However, there are also conditions that can lead to balance issues, such as low blood pressure, anemia, inner-ear disorders, Parkinson’s, arthritis and more. Your doctor can examine you to determine if you have any of these conditions and recommend a course of treatment if necessary.
   
   Your current medications may also be part of the problem. Some medications like anxiety medications or insomnia medications are known to cause balance issues. Your doctor can adjust your prescription to help reduce your risk of losing balance.
   
2. Wear better footwear — Poorly fitted footwear, such as house slippers or a loose-fitting shoe, can trip you up as you walk. Always wear sturdy footwear with firm support so you can feel the ground when you walk.
   
3. Clear up the clutter — Loose objects in your home can be a tripping hazard that increases your fall risk. Objects like loose rugs, power cords, pet bowls or low tables can cause you to trip. Reorganize your home in a way that makes it easy for you to move around safely in each room.
   
4. Visit a physical therapist — A physical therapist can develop a personalized treatment program to help you improve your strength and flexibility. Stronger and more flexible leg, back and core muscles help to support your body and keep you on your feet.
   

Physical therapists can also perform vestibular therapy for people suffering from inner-ear conditions that affect their balance. 

Visit Franklin Rehabilitation for help improving your balance

Are you tired of feeling like you’re going to fall whenever you move around? At Franklin Rehabilitation, we can perform vestibular therapy and other balance exercises to help you reduce your fall risk, so you can focus more on enjoying your life. In addition, you don’t have to have a doctor’s referral to begin using any of our therapy services. Contact our team today for more information about balance treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.