As seniors grow older, their bone health decreases, putting them at risk for poor balance and reduced flexibility. Seniors need to make healthy lifestyle choices to boost their bone strength and monitor their homes to reduce the risk of slips, falls, and various injuries caused by poor balance. Take a look at some of the common reasons older adults encounter balance issues and what family caregivers can do to address these problems.
1. Poor Bone Health
Seniors with joint and muscle issues will likely experience balance loss. Unstable joints and muscle weakness make it difficult to stand and move around. Exercising is one of the best ways for the elderly to enhance their static and dynamic balance. Encourage your loved one to develop a regular exercise routine that increases muscle strength, balance, and coordination. Exercising can also enhance quality of life and prevent health issues that indirectly affect balance.
If your loved one needs help getting started or sticking with an exercise program, a professional caregiver can help. At-home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. Our caregivers encourage seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
2. Vision Impairment
Seniors with eye disorders may find it difficult to maintain their balance because the visual system interacts with the vestibular system to sense head movements and generate eye movements that help them maintain their image stability. When vision affects the vestibular-ocular reflex, seniors will experience lower levels of physical activity as well as balance loss. It’s important to provide your loved one with walking devices to prevent slips, falls, and other accidents due to poor balance and vision.
3. Ear Infections
Older adults need to maintain healthy immune systems to fight against toxins and infections. If your loved one’s immune system is compromised, the flu isn’t the only problem he or she could encounter. Inflammation and infection in the inner ear can also lead to balance problems.
The best ways to strengthen the immune system and prevent balance issues are to stop smoking, stay hydrated, follow a healthy diet, control stress levels, and get plenty of sleep at night. If your loved one’s immune system is unable to fight off an ear infection, he or she could experience significant damage to the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance.
In addition to balance difficulty, a weakened immune system can make your loved one more susceptible to severe or chronic health issues. Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Livingston, NJ, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver.
4. Low Blood Pressure
When seniors stand up and experience a sudden drop in blood pressure, this is known as hypotension, and it can lead to lightheadedness. Low blood pressure can make it difficult to stand and walk. Therefore, it’s important for older adults to keep their blood pressure levels normal, which can be achieved by staying hydrated, eating nutritious meals, avoiding secondhand smoke, and making other healthy lifestyle choices.
Some medications can have a negative impact on blood pressure, which is why you should monitor how the prescriptions make your loved one feel. If the medication is affecting blood pressure levels, make sure to bring this up to your parent’s primary care physician and find out if alternative treatment options are available.
Some seniors find it challenging to make lifestyle changes that could reduce balance issues, and professional caregivers can be a great resource for families who want to help their senior loved ones stay as healthy as possible. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care. Livingston Assisting Hands Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives. To learn about our high-quality in-home care plans, call us today.
