For those 65+, the right health plan can provide benefits to improve balance and prevent falls. According to a recent study by Tivity Health, a leading provider of health and wellness solutions, including SilverSneakers, 22% of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries report having fallen in the past year compared to 26% in traditional Medicare. Those who participate in SilverSneakers report the fewest falls at 14%. SilverSneakers members are also less likely to feel unsteady when standing or walking and are less worried about falling.
Almost all physical activity helps lower the risk of falls. Movement of any kind improves body awareness, helps build bone density and even increases muscle mass. Falls happen most often while you're doing something mundane - going down a flight of stairs, changing a lightbulb, or walking on a slippery floor. That's why it's important to focus on "functional training," which helps strengthen your body for
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Article by Dina Sexton, a national trainer for SilverSneakers
(BPT) - If you're an American over age 65, or have a senior loved one, you know how big of a risk falls can be in daily life. As people age, their balance becomes less steady, which can lead to an increase in stumbles and tumbles. But it can mean more than the inconvenience of a turned ankle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports falls are the leading cause of injury and death from injury among people 65 and older. About three million seniors visit the emergency room due to falls every year.
The good news? There are simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of falling. It's about increasing balance and stability.
"While the risk of falls increases as we age, it's not inevitable," said Dina Sexton, a national trainer for SilverSneakers, the nation's leading fitness and well-being improvement program for seniors. "There are many simple, customizable exercises that can reduce the risk of falls. A steady sense of balance is the key."
Seniors: Prevent falls
with These 3 Easy Moves