As we age, it becomes increasingly important to prioritize balance, as age and mobility issues can often result in balance issues, leading to both fatal and nonfatal injuries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), seniors over 60 suffer the greatest number of fatal falls, while over 37 million falls require medical attention due to their severity.
Seniors need to maintain their balance as they age, as this helps them prevent falls and continue to enjoy activities they love while maintaining their independence. It also allows family members and caregivers to have peace of mind knowing their loved ones are safe.
Balance exercises for seniors effectively promote balance among seniors and help them live comfortably, safely, and independently. Learn more about the importance of balance for seniors and different exercises that can be helpful in this blog.
You can also reach out to our accessibility professionals to find out how you can enhance safety for seniors by choosing the right products.
Why is Balance Important for Seniors?
Balance is a critical part of maintaining mobility, and it can help seniors avoid injury and remain independent. Here are a few reasons why balance is important for seniors.
- Prevents Falls: Falls are a leading cause of injury among seniors, so maintaining balance can reduce their risk of falling and the potential for injury.
- Improves Mobility: Good balance is a critical part of maintaining mobility as we age and taking measures to improve balance by using accessible products, such as an ADA bathroom with a shower, or prioritizing senior balance exercises will enable seniors to continue to do the things they love and maintain their independence.
- Helps Maintain Independence: Promoting balance among seniors can help them maintain independence and avoid relying on others for support and assistance.
How to Promote Balance for Seniors
There are a few ways to promote balance for seniors as they age, and proper measures can help them maintain independence.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise can be a helpful tool, as engaging in activities that challenge balance allows individuals to balance and reduce their risk of falling. The best exercise for senior balance encourages seniors to move their bodies and improve stability. Some of the most effective exercises to improve balance in seniors are yoga, tai chi, and pilates.
Make Modifications to the Home or Facility
Modifying an environment is crucial in helping seniors maintain their balance, as their surroundings play a huge role in their safety at home and in commercial facilities. This can include installing handrails on stairs, removing tripping hazards such as loose rugs, modifying the kitchen, and renovating the bathroom.
A bathroom can be a dangerous place for seniors with balance issues, as the wet and slippery surfaces can lead to falls and injuries. Consider renovating the place and incorporating a wheelchair accessible showers design to enhance safety in the bathroom and allow seniors to use the space safely and independently.
You can consult our expert team of accessibility professionals at Freedom Showers to explore hundreds of walk-in shower designs and ideas. Our handicapped-accessible shower stalls allow you to maximize senior independence without sacrificing style. We add a personal touch to every client’s buying journey and offer a 30-year warranty, allowing you to feel confident with your purchase.
Balance Exercises for Seniors
Incorporating senior exercise for balance into an individual’s daily routine can help maintain and improve balance, reduce the risk of falls, and help stay active and independent. Consider the following exercises to improve balance in seniors to promote health and independence.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is one of the most gentle exercises for seniors to improve balance, and it involves slow, flowing movements. It targets all physical components you need to stay upright, such as leg strength, flexibility, range of motion, and reflexes. According to Harvard Health Publishing, studies have found that tai chi reduces falls by up to 45 percent in seniors.
Single-Leg Stands
This exercise is excellent for improving balance and strengthening the legs and involves standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms by your sides. Lift one leg off the ground and hold the position for 10-30 seconds, then lower the leg and repeat on the other side. You can increase the time gradually as you get more comfortable with the exercise.
Chair-Based Exercise
A chair-based exercise is one of the most effective exercises for seniors to improve balance. Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the ground with your hands resting on your thighs. Keep your back straight, slowly stand up for the chair, and sit back down. Repeat 10-15 times and gradually increase the number of repetitions when you feel comfortable.
Yoga
Yoga is a great exercise to improve balance in seniors as it improves balance, flexibility, and strength. Some yoga poses that are particularly good for seniors include the tree pose, warrior II pose, and downward-facing dog pose. This senior exercise for balance can also improve leg strength and flexibility.
Freedom Showers Products for Balance
While balance exercises for seniors are highly effective, modifying a home or facility, especially the bathroom, is equally important to enhance senior safety. To create an accessible bathroom for a commercial property, purchasing ADA-compliant products is important. But if you want to improve accessibility in a residential space, following ADA guidelines is not required.
At Freedom Showers, we cater to residential and commercial clients and offer a 100 percent lowest-price guarantee to help you elevate your bathroom with the highest quality products.
Consider using some Freedom Showers products to create a welcoming bathroom that allows seniors to feel safe and comfortable.
Shower Bars
We offer an extensive collection of ADA shower bars in various sizes and styles, allowing you to enhance bathroom safety without compromising style. Installing bars in the shower or around it enables seniors to navigate the space with support, reducing the risk of falls.
Folding Shower Seat & Pan
It’s important for seniors with limited mobility to use a bathroom safely and independently. Our folding shower seats and pans allow individuals to comfortably stand in the area or sit down, based on their needs and comfort level.
Consider our ADA folding shower seat for your business, as it is designed to comply with the Federal ADA guidelines (ADAAG). Choose from our extensive list of L-shaped ADA options perfect for your commercial project. Alternatively, we recommend our wall-mounted fold-down seats for residential projects, as this offers the comfort of sitting.
You can further boost safety in the bathroom with our ADA pan, specially designed for those aging in place and experiencing mobility disabilities. Freedom Showers’ easy-step shower pan has a low-step threshold, while an accessible roll-in shower pan has a threshold of a maximum of one inch.
Shower Head
It’s important for the shower head in a bathroom to be easily accessible for seniors, as this plays a crucial role in their independence in the bathroom. Our ADA shower head is flexible, and the stainless glide bar allows the user to adjust to a stationary position or remove from the glide bar and hold it in their hand for easy use.
Shower Door
A shower door is essential for commercial bathrooms, such as senior care facilities, as it allows caregivers to assist seniors in the shower without getting wet. Consider purchasing an when caring for seniors with disabilities who need assistance in the shower. The frosted panels offer privacy, while the 180-degree hinges on each panel enable the door to swing in both directions for flexibility.
Importance of Balance Exercises for Seniors
A senior’s balance is critical to their health, independence, comfort, and safety. You can explore different exercises to improve balance for seniors while making a few modifications to your home or facility to enhance safety. Improving balance in seniors will improve the quality of their life, offer caregivers peace of mind, and make their living environment more comfortable.
You can also reach out to our dedicated client service experts who pick up the phone and are part of the buying journey from discovery to delivery.