Thirty-six million older adults fall each year, and around 10% of them require a visit to the emergency room. Many things can lead to a fall including the side effects of medications, joint or muscle pain, and weakened muscle tone. One of the first steps your mom should take is to learn simple stretches that help her improve her balance. When she does them, she wants to feel the stretching in her muscle, but she needs to listen to her body and not overdo it. If she’s feeling exhausted, she should lower the number of stretches she does as she gains strength. She could seek out guidance from physical therapy services.

Chair Exercises

From a seated position, your mom wants to stretch one leg straight out and lift it as high as she can. Point the toes and flex the toes. Put that leg down and repeat it with the other leg. Keep doing this until she’s done 20 per leg.

Knee Lifts

Using a chair for support as much as is necessary, your mom wants to stand sideways to the chair and place one hand on the chair’s back. The outer leg gets raised like your mom is marching. She puts it down and repeats this 20 times. Each time, she wants to try to get the knee higher.

She’ll take a quick break before switching to the other side. Again, she’ll do 20 knee lifts. As she gets stronger, she won’t need the chair for support. She might find herself able to increase to 30, 45, or 60 knee lifts as she gets stronger.

Leg Kicks

Using a chair for support your mom wants to lift one leg and steady herself. Gently kick the raised leg out to the side and then place it back down. Repeat this ten times and switch legs. As her legs get stronger, she wants to give up the chair to help with balance.

Toe to Heel

Put down some painter’s tape in a straight line on the floor. Your mom wants to stretch her arms out and tightrope walk on that line walking toe to heel with each step.

Take the Necessary Steps to Help Your Mom

Fall prevention starts with an honest talk. Your mom needs to stop hiding that she’s having a harder time with balance. She needs to realize it’s not uncommon for her to have balance issues.

Once she can admit this to others, arrange physical therapy. It’s best to work with a physical therapist. She’ll work with an expert in muscles and joints to get stronger in a safe, effective manner.

Ask your mom’s doctor what is likely causing her falls. If it is her medication, see if there are options. If it’s loss of muscle tone or bone mass, arrange physical therapy services by making a call. Her physical therapist will teach her stretches and exercises and work with her over the weeks to get her limber, flexible, stronger, and able to maintain her balance.

Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/index.html

If you or a family member need to hire Physical Therapy Services in Boynton Beach FL, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770. We provide service in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Margate, Pompano Beach, and Tamarac.

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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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