Balance Therapy & Fall Prevention

Balance is essential to all of our daily activities such as getting out of bed, taking a shower, walking to the mailbox or driving your car. Most of the time you don’t even think if what you’re doing needs balance, since it is part of your everyday routine, but when we lose our balance that is when the problems can emerge.

There are many factors that can increase your chances of a fall other than age such as: slippery surfaces, uneven surfaces, loose rugs or snags in carpet. But there are ways to prepare yourself and stay on your feet.

Exercising regularly is one of the best things that you can do to increase your balance. Weight bearing exercises that focus on the legs and hips region of the body will improve balance and stability while you are preforming daily activities and will prevent your chances of a future fall. Ask your provider if Functional Balance Training through our Hand to Shoulder Therapy (Occupational Therapy) services would be beneficial.

Here are some additional tips for fall prevention.

Outdoors:

• Wear rubber-soled shoes or boots
• Walk on the grass when the sidewalk is wet
• If needed use a walker or cane for addition stability
• Use handrails when available
• Keep porch and walkways clear of leaves, snow, ice, etc.
• Content Worksheet
• Wear correct eye-wear such as sunglasses or prescription glasses



Indoors:

• Avoid walking in socks
• Wear supportive, low heeled shoes whenever possible
• Place a rubber mat in the shower or bathtub
• Keep floors dry
• Have rooms clutter free specifically in walkways
• Install additional lighting in dimmer areas
• Make sure carpet and rug have a skid plate backing
• Install railings on both sides of the stairwell
• If using a footstool make sure all legs sit evenly on the ground