Fall Prevention

Almost 30% of persons over 65 years of age fall each year.
In those over age 80, 50% fall. Almost 5% who fall, fracture; 1% sustain a hip fracture.
(N Engl J Med 1994;33:872-873.)

Fall prevention in seniors and the elderly begins with good balance!
 It requires the ability to keep your center of gravity over your ankles when standing and walking.

Activities that work on stressing our balance systems will add to our overall safety at home. A flexible body, good posture, and continued awareness of maintaining our center of gravity over our base of support which is usually over out ankles.

Below are some excellent balance activites to begin your better balance. This is one of the most simple standing exercises.

Standing on one leg is an exercise that can be practiced anywhere you have a chair or counter to hold on to.

This exercise will strengthen your ankles and hips, which are vital in keeping us stable.


Here is an excellent site with exercised to help you learn the exercises that will keep you strengthen your muscles to prevent falls.



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