Each minute, about six senior citizens is seen by an emergency room doctor following a fall. About four times an hour, elderly people die from injuries received during a fall. Those falls might happen tripping over an object on the floor or falling while trying to reach something on a high shelf. Some falls occur because balance isn’t what it used to be.
Do you notice your mom struggling to maintain her balance more than in the past? If so, she should work on strengthening muscles to help with balance. Talk to her doctor to make sure she’s able. If she is, here are four unique exercise programs that can help.
Aqua Pi Yo Chi
You’ll typically find Aqua Pi Yo Chi classesheld at your local YMCA. The program takes place in a heated pool and blends movements from Pilates, Tai Chi, and Yoga to help strengthen the core muscles. It also uses breathing exercises and meditation practices to help de-stress. It’s in the water, so there’s no stress on the joints, which is great if your mom is arthritic.
Bollywood Dance Therapy
Bollywood dancing can be an incredible workout. Look for dance therapy classes designed to be slower for those new to the dance. Some classes allow participants to sit down from time to time as needed. Bollywood dancing will help strengthen core muscles, work on balance skills, and help improve a person’s gait, too.
Qigong
Pronounced “chee-gung,” this Asian practice means, essentially, “breath skill.” Through gentle movements, stretches, meditation, and breathing exercises, it helps the body heal from within. While practicing deep breathing, the participant will sway, bounce, stretch, and move the body in set patterns that gently tone and stretch muscles. Breathing is incorporated throughout to help ease stress and tension.
Tai Cheng
Tai Cheng is a comprehensive form that takes Tai Chi and blends it to build core body strength, balance, mobility, and ease pain and stiffness. A comprehensive program usually includes a dietary guide to help improve nutrition and aid weight loss.
Have a home care agency do a safety check of your mom’s home. You may think you’ve done all you can to ease the fall risks in certain rooms, but a professional may find things you overlooked. Call a home care agency to talk about this and services caregivers offer that can keep your mom on her feet.