If you’ve attempted any geriatric physical therapy exercises, you probably understand how important it is to have a good sense of balance. If you’re looking for balance exercises to follow, you’ve come to the right place.
Why is Balance Important for Older Adults?
Balance plays a major role in our daily activities. However, our sense of balance can naturally diminish as we age, leading to a higher risk of falling or getting injured. Having the confidence to conduct our daily living activities with independence is great, but not everyone can do this. This can lead to feelings of stress or frustration down the road as your sense of independence wanes, which is why it is so important for older adults to take part in balance training regularly.
Benefits of Balance Training
Balance training is when someone engages in exercises designed to strengthen their muscles that keep them upright, like core or leg muscles. What’s great about balance training is it contributes to one’s overall health and wellness eventually, and can significantly reduce the risk for falls. Balance training is found within a holistic regimen of physical therapy exercises for older adults and can instill the stability and confidence you need to stay independent as you age. If you think this sounds daunting, you may be surprised to hear that there are 5-minute exercises that are effective and easy to do!
Simple Balance Exercises
Once your doctor or physician has given you the green light to conduct these activities, here are a few balance exercises you can take part in:
- Heel-to-toe walk – Begin by standing with one hand on a wall or any other furniture for support. Slowly and carefully shift your balance by lifting one foot directly in front of your other foot so that your heel and toes are just brushing. Do it as far as your space allows with a minimum of eight steps and repeat this three times.
- Single leg stance – For this exercise, you can use a wall, chair, or bar for support as long as it is sturdy. Stand parallel to your support and place one hand on your support while lifting one foot completely off the ground slowly. If this is too difficult, you can try gradually shifting your weight onto your left foot before slightly lifting your right foot, but leaving your heel or big toe touching the floor. Hold this posture for about ten seconds before repeating with your opposite foot.
- Backward leg raises – Similar to the previous exercise, you can use the same support to keep you steady. While holding your support in front of you, stand straight with your feet planted shoulder-width apart. Slowly lift your leg out behind you and keep it straight without bending your knee. Hold this position for about ten seconds and repeat with your other leg.
Why Choose Seaton Chesterfield?
We offer a wide range of amenities and services for older adults who want to live in comfort and convenience. From helping those suffering from memory-related conditions to individuals who require little assistance to live to their fullest, you can rely on our professional experts to provide only the highest quality care to your loved ones.
To learn more about assisted living and memory care programs in Seaton Chesterfield, contact us today.