16 Aug Culture of Wellness: Stay Steady and Prevent Falls
As we age, we are more prone to fall and after experiencing a bad fall, some people develop a fear of falling – which in turn may put the person at risk for more falls!
As outlined in this article by Linda Melone, “7 Surprising Things that Affect Your Balance,” vision, hearing and medications can all affect how steady you are:
- Your vision is not what it used to be.
- Your hearing is not what it used to be.
- Your medications may make you dizzy.
- You are sleep-deprived.
- You enjoy alcohol.
- You have diabetes.
- Your home is an obstacle course (poor lighting, steep stairs, uneven floor surfaces, loose carpets on a hardwood floor, etc.)
Improve balance, strengthen muscles through exercise
At Park Springs, the luxury retirement community in Stone Mountain, Members have access to the state-of-the-art fitness center, as well as the personalized guidance of Reggie Porter, Park Springs’ Fitness Instructor who will be happy to develop a tailor-made training program to improve balance and strengthen muscles for anyone who has suffered a fall or wishes to prevent falls.
“We believe in fitness for health and for fun,” says Reggie. “Come enjoy our state-of the art Fitness Center on your own or take one or more of the great classes we offer throughout the week, such as those that focus on stretching, strengthening and endurance building. Our Keiser air resistance equipment is the safest and easiest to use by people of all ability levels. Trust me, we make it fun for everyone.”
Some smart tips to prevent falling are:
- Use care in the bathroom, especially when the floor is slippery.
- Use non-slip mats in the bathtub or shower, and install grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower stall.
- Install support bars near the toilet.
- Find out if the medications you take have any side effects – in particular, if they might influence your balance.
- Have your vision and hearing checked regularly.
- Use proper lighting throughout your home.
- Wear secure shoes and forget about slippers or flip-flops!
- Use contrasting colors at steps or thresholds so you can see them clearly.
To learn more about Park Springs, its fitness center and strength training, as well as some of the thoughtful interior design features at Park Springs that promote safety, please call any one of our Senior Residency Counselors at 678-684-3300.