Leg and ankle strength go a long way in helping a senior with balance. When exercising the legs, your parent needs to work out all three areas – front, back, and sides. If a fall is imminent, strong muscles can help support and help a person counterbalance.

Here are some simple chair exercises that help improve leg strength and balance.

#1 – Leg Lifts: For a leg lift, your parent will sit straight in his or her chair and lift one leg off the ground. Make sure the toe is pointing away from the body and hold it for a count of five. Lower the leg and repeat on the other side.

#2 – Standing on One Foot: Set up two chairs, one in front of the other. Holding onto the back of a chair, lift one leg off the ground. Move the hands off the chair and try to balance without holding onto anything. Switch feet. In between exercises, your parent may want to sit down on the other chair to take a brief break.

#3 – Calf Raise: Have your parent sit on the chair with his or her back straight against the back of the chair. Without lifting the toes from the ground, raise the heel of the foot as high as it comfortably goes. The muscles in the calf should tighten. Repeat with the other foot.

#4 – Crunches: While holding onto the sides of the chair, have your parent pull one knee to the chest. Hold it for a count of five and lower the leg. Repeat with the other side.

#5 – Chair Squats: This is another exercise your parent can do when there’s a second chair. Place a chair in front of the second chair and sit down on the second chair. While holding the first chair for support, bring the buttocks about five inches off the chair. Hold this squat position for a count of five and slowly lower back to a sitting position.

#6 – Scissor Lifts: Similar to the leg lifts, a scissor lift requires your mom or dad to lift one leg off the floor and extend it straight out. Swing the leg to the appropriate side – to the left for a left leg or to the right for a right leg – and then return it to the front before lowering it. This works out the sides of the leg muscles and the hip muscles.

Don’t have your parent home alone all day. If balance is an issue, bring in outside help to keep your parent safe. Caregivers can supervise when your mom or dad get out of bed or in and out of the shower. Caregivers also offer services like meals, rides to stores, and laundry. Have a caregiver available to make sure your parent is okay while doing his or her chair exercises. Call an elder care agency to arrange services today.

If you or a family member are in need of hiring home care services in Tamarac, FL, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770.
Providing service in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Weston, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, Lighthouse Point, and Wilton Manors.

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Stephen Sternbach

CEO at Star Multi Care Services

With over 35 years of experience, Stephen Sternbach has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Star Multi Care Services since 1987. After the sale of the New York and New Jersey operations of Star Multi Care Services, Sternbach brought the company private where he remains President and CEO of this 40-million dollar company. With Sternbach at the helm, Star Multi Care Services employs more than 650 employees, in six offices throughout Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.

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