Old age is usually associated with a variety of health problems.  One of the most serious problems that an old person faces is the loss of balance.  Yearly, more and more people coming from the geriatric population succumb to falls, and because of their frail bones, they easily experience fracture.  A fracture in the hip, for example, could render an elderly individual immobile and bed-ridden.

Because of their think skin, pressure sores can form in areas where bones are prominent such as the ankles, the ischial region, and the shoulder blades. From this, we can automatically see the cascade of events – a simple fall could have a domino effect and this could lead to more health conditions.

There are a lot of factors that puts an elderly person at risk of falling. Examples of these factors are low weight, incidence of previous falls, diabetes, disturbed vision, gait disorder, unsafe surroundings and improper footwear.

The Danger of Falls

Each year, one-third of the geriatric population aging 65 years and above experience a fall at least once, and half of these elderly individuals fall twice or more. While younger individuals may consider a fall as something unimportant, a fall for the elderly could drastically change his life – the ensuing disability could mean saying goodbye to independence and his quality of life may soon deteriorate.  Performing activities of daily living would entail relying on someone’s help in order to get the job done.  Independence is cherished by the elderly and this explains why a fall is life-changing for them.

The National Institute on Aging (NIH) has recommended that elderly people should perform regular exercise and have their eyes checked in order to reduce their risk of falling.

Some Preventive Measures to Take

Because of the dangers that a single fall poses, it is always helpful to take extra precautionary measures to prevent it.  Here is a quick reference list that one can make in order to keep himself safe:

• You must take the time to double check on your current list of medications and make sure that none of them causes you fatigue and dizziness.
• Take some time to have your vision checked and allow it to be corrected appropriately.
• Improve the lighting inside your home and make everything safe for your own benefit. Make sure that furniture is out of the way so that you’ll avoid bumping into them. Throw out loose rugs, some electrical leads and always keep your floor dry to avoid the instances of slipping.
• You can consider having some handrails installed in your home especially if you have been having trouble walking lately.
• Consider getting the service of a caregiver who would stand by your side and assist you if you think that you cannot handle yourself anymore.
• Welcome physical activities as a part of your life like getting involved in regular exercises and even trying out dancing or Tai Chi.

The Power of Tai Chi

The British Geriatrics Society and the American Geriatrics Society had recently updated their guidelines which included a recommendation to include Tai Chi, a form of Chinese martial art performed in slow motion, in order to reduce the incidence of falls in the elderly.  The guidelines are found in the 2001 Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Mary Tinetti, MD, along with her colleagues, reviewed previously conducted studies regarding available interventions for the prevention of falls.  The studies included in the review were those that were conducted from May of 2001 until April of 2008.  According to Tinetti, who is a geriatrician from New Haven, Connecticut’s Yale University School of Medicine, the most efficient way to avoid falls is to lessen the use of medication, create an environment that is safe for the elderly, and to improve gait and balance through regular exercise which includes tai chi. Seniors can also prevent falling by improving their sense of balance through physical therapy sessions.

The Many Benefits of Tai Chi

Tai Chi is considered as an ancient art that utilizes a gentle flow of movement so as to lessen stress that is brought about by today’s fast paced lifestyle. Eventually, this would help in improving a person’s health. It is also called as “meditation in motion” since it promotes a level of serenity through slow motion. Each posture that you make in Tai Chi flows right into the next posture without taking any break, so as to ensure that your entire body will always be in constant yet graceful motion. It also comes in different styles like wu and yang.

This type of activity is very advantageous for many, not just because it is safe in general, but it also is less costly. In fact, there are communities that hold tai chi sessions for free for the members of the neighborhood to take part of.

Aside from relieving you of stress by uniting your body, spirit and mind – tai chi has several advantageous effects that can greatly benefit your health. Even though its history can be traced back to the ancient days, its health benefits have only been discovered recently. While more studies are needed to further confirm tai chi’s health claims, initial evidence says that the benefits it can give to individuals include the following:

• It improves your sense of balance and make your muscles stronger and even more flexible;
• It reduces the frequency of falls in senior individuals;
• It improve your quality of sleep;
• It helps lower your blood pressure;
• It is essential for cardiovascular health;
• It helps relieve chronic pain that you are experiencing in your body;
• It increases the amount of energy and agility that you have;
• It creates a better and more improved sense of well-being.

Old age should not serve as an excuse for you not to indulge in physical activities.  This is probably one of those times where you need it the most. Remember that being physically active brings with it a lot of health benefits – your heart, muscles, bones, lungs and brain will gain a lot.

Sources
webmd.com
patient.co.uk
patient.co.uk
mayoclinic.com
mayoclinic.com