Topic: balance
Exercise at this stage in life is less about pushing hard and more about protecting your independence and mobility. It’s about choosing the right kind of movement to support your energy, ease—and your joints. Being able to get up and down from the floor at age eighty doesn’t just happen. It takes intentional behavior now to meet your goals for later life. Regardless of whether you’ve always exercised or you’re just getting started, it’s never too late to review what you’re doing to keep your body moving. Even a few hours of activity a week can help keep your heart pumping, preserve muscle, and steady your balance. There are three key types of movement to incorporate in your life: …
It’s Falls Prevention Week, an opportunity to refresh our knowledge of falls risk and how best to prevent them.
Why is this important? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the most common reason for visits to the emergency department (ED), as well as the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans. More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls.
This should give us all pause. …
Falls Prevention: Prioritize exercise, vision, and honest conversationsRead More »
As Amy Cameron O’Rourke reflects in her book The Fragile Years: “Most adult children are poorly prepared for the life-changing events that send their once-independent parents and loves into the fragile zone.” (p. 15) It’s not unusual for families to experience a roller coaster of emotions. …
It’s Falls Prevention Awareness Week. With Fall officially starting this Wednesday, it’s a great reminder to review the common causes of falls as well as what we can do to lower our risk, prevent injury, and stay out of the emergency department.
A recent national poll on healthy aging conducted by the University of Michigan suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to a decline in physical activity and functioning among older adults. Declines in physical condition and mobility can increase the risk for falls. …
To those of us who work with older adults, it comes as no surprise that falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among adults 65 and older. Each year, more than one in four adults 65 and older will fall. As Aging Life Care Professionals®, our role is to help clients manage their health, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and improve their quality of life. Our work often includes efforts to reduce falls. …