Unintentional falls among those 65 and older are responsible for more than 18,000 deaths and nearly 450,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States, according to the Centers in Atlanta. Most of these falls are caused by a decline in that complex and multidimensional human skill known as balance.

We all know of someone who “just fell” and broke something, a hip, an arm, an ankle or leg. We usually write it off to just old age, weak muscles, or failing bones. If you ask the senior who fell it was usually someone else’s fault. One lady told me that a cat ran between her legs and tripped her causing an ankle and eye injury.

The debate rages on about calcium and bone density. Did someone fall and break a hip or did the hip just give way and they fell. You can read more about calcium and bone density in our nutrition section at MyNaturalSuppliments.myShaklee.com.

Balance is a function of inner ear sensations transmitted through a series of nerves to the brain and signals sent via more nerves to the muscles of the body. If you sense you are falling, you adjust your torso, legs or arms to maintain in balance.

The old adage of use it or loose it applies here just like most things in life. It does seem to apply more to brain use and muscle use though.

Inactivity in seniors as well as nutritional levels can lead to the loss of use or slowing of brain recognition and nerve transmission, thus the inability to recognize when they are loosing their balance or falling. By the time they realize the need for a readjustment to maintain balance, it is often too late.

In an article by John Hanc of the New York Times the benefits of strength and balance training are explained. Dr. Thurman explains that strength and balance training can reduce the rate of falls by up to about 50 percent.

While most public health agencies recommend 30 minutes a day of cardiovascular exercise and two or three sessions of strength training, there isn’t a recommendation for balance training.

There are a number of good balance exercises to use. The best bet is to go to a gym and use a personal trainer. Many gyms offer low impact stretching and balancing sessions. Gentle yoga would be wonderful for stretching and balance. Those yogis live to 125 you know.

At home one of those big balls to sit on and raise up feet land lets would be a good idea.

Try walking a straight line with both feet hitting the line. Kind of like when the police give a sobriety test on the street. Next try walking the line with arm out to the sides and cross over the line with each step. Put your left foot on the right side of the line and visa versa. This is the model runway walk. Have someone stand behind for safety and stand on one leg with arm out. Just raise one foot up a little. When this becomes easy, reach down and put your palms under the raised foot and balance for 15 to 30 seconds.

Remember safety first. You don’t want to get hurt exercising so you won’t fall. Have someone with you for support.

For assistance in the Phoenix area contact Care-To-Go at 480-284-8611

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Elder Care Retirement Choices

Retirement or elder housing alternatives can be baffling to seniors who has never approached the topic before.  The reason for the confusion is because most retirement care and elderly housing arrangements present duplicate services among the a range of categories.  A commonly accepted word for retirement living from one area may be used for different services from another.  The following terms explaining some kinds of care to assist you in determining your specific elder retirement requirements.

CareGiver and Home Care
Also is known as: Aging in Place, Home Care, In Home Personal Care, In Home Companion Care
Costs Range: $650 – $4,040

When a senior wants help and wishes to stay in their home (they all want to keep independence).  A Home Care CareGiver can be employed to assist on a part time or full time basis.  Normally a senior will need 3 days a week, then advancing to 5 or 7 days a week.  24/7 care can be arranged.  CareGivers can assist with daily activities:
?    Personal care
?    Shopping and errands
?    Meal preparation
?    Light housekeeping
?    Companionship
?    Medication reminders
?    Escort to Church, meetings and outings
?    Assist with therapies
?    Advocate for medical appointments

An extraordinary CareGiver can offer seniors the socially engaging productive lifestyle that experts say is so important to healthy aging.
Be sure to choose a high level CareGiver and Agency, don’t settle for an adult babysitter.

Click Here for the complete article listing care facilities and Home Care

Click Here for the complete article listing for a Home Care Carergiver