Falls cause injury and disability, especially for people 65 and up. They are also all too common. Over one in four adults of that age experience a fall. The chief reason is muscle weakness. Exercise can help prevent that and help aid in other problem areas. However, before engaging in any exercise programs, people concerned about falling should consult their healthcare professional beforehand for safety concerns.
If you have received clearance from a healthcare professional, here are two potential exercises.
- Heel-to-toe standing/walking: For this exercise, put your fingertips on something solid to keep balance. Then stand with the heel of one foot touching the toes of the other. Bend your knees slightly and stand still for 10 seconds.
- Knee raises: With fingertips on something solid to help balance, lift one knee to hip level. Hold this position for five seconds. Lower the leg and repeat with the opposite one. Do these 8 times with each leg.
Falls can cause major health events in retirees. These, and other, exercises can help prevent falls. If you are concerned about falling, remember, we are here to help. We can provide home safety assessments, customized in-home rehab, medication reviews, and more. All with Medicare paying 100%.
