Elder Care: Tips to Keep Your Elderly Loved One’s Balance Intact

By Kevin Edwards | January 18, 2022 |

One of the main issues that many senior citizens have is with their balance. Sometimes, there are medical reasons for these issues. Other times, it could be a medication side effect or just them getting older. No matter what the case may be, if your elderly loved one is having balance issues, there are some tips that can help them to keep their balance intact or to slow down the progression of these issues. Having elder care services can oversee their issues and guide them in their improvement.

Encouraging Exercise

One of the best ways for your elderly loved one to keep their balance intact is by exercising. If they aren’t already in the habit of exercising regularly, you and their elder care providers can encourage them to create and stick to an exercise plan. Some of the exercises that can help with their balance include:

Yoga
Strength training
Standing on one foot
Meditation
Core-focused exercises

It would probably be best if you or an elder care provider watched your elderly loved one while they exercised. If someone is there with them, it can help to prevent falls.

Seeing a Doctor

Is your elderly loved one already having some balance issues? If so, it would be a good idea for them to see their doctor. If there is a medical cause for these issues, getting treatment could help to keep their balance intact or prevent it from getting worse any sooner than it would without treatment. If a medication is causing this issue, maybe there are other medications or medication changes that might be able to reduce or get rid of this issue.

Improving the Home Environment

Another way that you can help your elderly loved one to keep their balance intact is by picking up things in their home or helping them to do this. Some of the ways that you can do this include:

Picking up clutter
Ensuring all water is cleaned up off the floor
Putting down secure carpets
Keeping cords out of the walkways

If these things are done, it can lower the chances of your elderly loved one tripping and getting hurt. It can keep them steadier on their feet, as well.

Working with you Senior and Their Elder Care Provider

These are some of the best tips to keep your elderly loved one’s balance intact. Now that you have these tips, you can work with your elderly loved one to improve or slow down the progression of their balance issues.

Sources: https://healthfinder.gov/healthtopics/category/everyday-healthy-living/safety/lower-your-risk-of-falling

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/prevent-falls-and-fractures

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Elder Care Services in the Lenexa KS area, please contact the caring staff at Elder Care of Kansas City, today. Proudly serving Jackson, Clay, Platte and Cass Counties in Missouri as well as Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas for over 30 years. Call us at 816-333-3322.

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Kevin Edwards

Owner at Elder Care of Kansas City

Kevin’s life and the lives of his immediate family have been impacted by caregivers – either as a patient or a caregiver - for as long as he can remember.He watched his mother take care of his grandmother until her death at the age of 97.Five years later, his father passed from a neurological disorder that was subsequently confirmed as Lewy Body Dementia.In 2007, his wife, Lori, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.The symptoms of Lori’s disease required Kevin to hire a caregiver during the periods of her relapses.

Prior to purchasing Elder Care, Kevin spent over 20 years in the health insurance industry.In his most recent position, he was in a financial operations role with Humana where he worked with doctors, nurses and other health professionals developing programs to keep Humana members healthy.Their focus on primary care and medication adherence improved the lives of thousands of seniors in Kansas City and the surrounding area.

Kevin and his wife, Lori, have three children.Kevin has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Missouri.