Exercises to Help Your Elderly Loved One Improve Their Balance
Many elderly people have balance issues. Some of these are caused by nerve damage, inner ear issues, or other health-related problems. Thankfully, elderly care providers and family caregivers can teach the elderly adult in their life a few exercises that will help improve their balance. Many of these exercises can be done in your loved one’s home without any equipment. Keep reading here to find out some of the best balance exercises for your elderly loved one.
Elder Care in Media PA: Senior Balance Issues
The Flamingo Stand
A flamingo stand is a pretty easy exercise that helps to improve balance. As you might have guessed, when your elderly loved one does this exercise they will be standing on one leg. Directions for this exercise include the following:
- Have your elderly loved one stand by a chair or wall in case they need support
- Have them position their feet about shoulder-width apart
- Now, they should gently raise one foot a couple of inches off the floor
- Hold for a count of ten
Now, they should slowly put that foot back on the floor and do the same with their other foot.
Repeat this process for up to 5 times
Once they feel comfortable enough, have them try increasing the number of times they lift each leg. For instance, instead of counting to ten, count to 15 or 20. They can also lift their foot higher, as well. Once they master the Flamingo Stand, they should try doing it with their eyes closed, which makes it even more challenging. However, it can improve their balance even more. Be sure someone is with them during this exercise.
The Tightrope Walk
The tightrope walk is possibly the most popular balance exercise for elderly adults. It can help improve balance and get your loved one moving. However, a person really needs a long hallway or a large space for this exercise. If your elderly loved one doesn’t have a large enough area, they can have someone walk beside them in case they need assistance. Directions for this exercise include the following:
Take 10 to 15 steps in one direction
With each step make sure your elderly loved one’s heel of one foot touches their toes on the other foot
They can extend their arms out to one side if they want to do so, as well
This exercise is similar to walking on a tightrope. However, if it seems too challenging for your elderly loved one, they can try to stand still in a heel and toe formation and count to 20 or 25. Once they have practiced doing the exercise this way, they can start actually walking on their imaginary tightrope.
Doing Back Leg Raises
To do a back leg raise, your elderly loved one should stand behind a chair. They will then, gently lift one leg backward about 4 to 6 inches off the floor. Then they can repeat with the other leg. Repeat these actions for 10 to 15 times. This is a great exercise to improve balance.
Conclusion
There are several exercises to help your elderly loved one improve their balance. Perhaps you can begin by teaching them the ones you read about here today.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elder Care in Media, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care.
Call today: (484) 206-4544
Sources
Sportsrec.com
Healthline.com
Vidawellness.co.uk
Healthline.com
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
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