Introduction

Did you know that 7 out of 10 seniors have stability issues and actually fear they will lose balance and accidentally fall?

To some, the fear of falling may seem trivial. Yet to the 65+ age group, this can be a stressful thing.

Studies show that people who fall during their senior years are much more prone to injury and sometimes even death.

Many older people wonder if it’s possible to improve their balance and also get stronger so that they’ll be more stable.

Should they accidentally trip or slip, their bodies would be more resilient and they will be able to handle the impact.

This is a sensitive topic and definitely warrants much attention. The hard truth is that people do not become physically unstable or unbalanced as they age.

Of course, there is no denying that a certain degree of strength and mobility is lost.

However, the main reason people become frail and weak is due to a lack of exercise. This may seem unpalatable because it highlights one’s neglects and failings.

The truth is bitter. You may have noticed that some people in your neighborhood, who are in their 60s, have trouble walking and getting around.

Yet, if you look at Sylvester Stallone, he is still muscular and in excellent shape. He is still directing and getting physical in his action movies.

Stallone is in his sixties. What about Arnold Schwarzenegger? His arms and muscles are bigger than those of men half his age.

He doesn’t seem to lack coordination or balance. The dancer, Michael Flatley, is 57 and still dancing.

The former model, Christie Brinkley, is sixty and she is as elegant and fit as ever.

What is the underlying reason here?

Why are these people healthy and well-coordinated while you or others you may know are sickly, unfit or unable to move without assistance?

The answer is – the life choices that were made. Many people sacrifice their health in pursuit of their career.

They are so busy making a living that they neglect to make a life.

The excuse that they do not have time to exercise is tossed about so frequently that they end up letting their health and fitness slide.

If you are not regularly active, you will have muscular atrophy over time. Your flexibility will decrease. Your core strength will diminish.

As time progresses, you will be less limber and more rigid. This is exactly how people age poorly. It’s a process that has snowballed over time.

Only with regular exercise and a healthy diet can you have a body that is fit and has the ability to almost reverse aging.

Dan Inosanto, is 79 years old and he is still fit and active. He used to train Bruce Lee and many other martial artists.

The martial arts are one of the best forms of exercise.

Why?

Because you need balance, flexibility, strength and stamina to excel at it.

All the punching, kicking and movements will help the body to retain its natural vigor and vitality.

If you have neglected your health for years and life seems to be a chore now because you can’t get around without assistance, do not feel dejected.

You can remedy the situation. You can restore the strength, balance and stamina that you have lost. It is never too late to become what you might have been.

Your body will help you, if you help it.

This guide will show you exactly what you need to do to restore your balance, strengthen your core and give you the ability to live life to its fullest. Read on…

Beginning The Road To Improving Your Stability

First and foremost, you must understand that no matter how weak you think you are or how inactive you have been, you can ALWAYS improve your situation.

Never underestimate the power of small positive daily action that snowball over time.

There are people in their sixties who started going to the gym and ended up with bodies that are better than the majority of people half their age.

Consistent and conscientious action is a force to be reckoned with.

Before looking at the road to recovery or instability prevention, let’s look at the consequences that can occur should you fall.

This may seem scary to some but it’s important to know the possible scenarios that can result when a senior falls down for whatever reason.

• Dislocation/Fractures

This is one of the most common scenarios that occur when a senior falls. Unlike younger people who are more resilient and can handle the impact, older people usually have more brittle bones.

Some may even suffer from osteoporosis. The fragility of the bones poses a huge risk during a fall. Fractures can easily occur since the bones are less dense.

It’s easy to dislocate a shoulder or a hip during a fall. It all depends on the force and the direction of the fall. Either way, it’s not a pretty scenario.

• Death

This is a very real possibility. There are thousands of documented cases of seniors who have died from a fall at home, either in the bathroom or by tripping on the stairs.

It is not a pleasant thought but we must stare the hard facts and once we know what we’re looking at, we can take steps to prevent the worst from happening.

Now let’s look at how we can begin on the road to recovery.

5 Steps To Beginning The Road To Recovery

1. Committing to exercise daily

This is the first and most crucial step. Just like with weight loss, a commitment is required. You must have a plan and stick to it. Unlike with weight loss, your training sessions will be much shorter and less strenuous.

The goal here will be to increase the strength of your core muscles, stabilising muscles, flexors and extensors. You will also need to increase your flexibility in order for your joints to be more supple and limber.

2. Get your vision checked

This is the second step. If your vision is fine, that’s excellent. No further action required. However, if your vision is not good, you should get glasses or whatever you need to see well.

3. Get good footwear

It is perfectly normal for older people to have less cushioning on the soles of their feet. It would be an excellent idea to get a pair of sports shoes with good cushioning that you can wear at home. Make sure the soles have good friction with the ground. This will reduce any chances of slipping.

Now, not only do you have good support but you’ve reduced your chances of an accidental fall. Two birds with one stone. Excellent.

4. Get Your Blood Pressure Checked

It’s quite common for older people to have a drop in blood pressure when they stand up. They might feel lightheaded or giddy.

While these are usually short spells lasting for 10 to 20 seconds, the risk of falling is high.

So, it’s best to be cautious and check your blood pressure when you’re seated, lying down and standing.

5. Know the Side Effects of Your Medication

Are you on medication? Do any of the medicines you consume make you drowsy? Even normal cold medication that makes a younger person drowsy has a much more soporific effect on an older person.

The side effects are multiplied due to the weakened state of the person as they age.

Once you discover which medications are making you sleepy or drowsy, you should ensure that after consuming them, you’re either in bed or comfortably seated and maybe watching TV.

What Sort of Exercise Should I Do To Improve Stability?

In this chapter, we will look at the different types of exercise you should do to improve your balance, stability, strength and stamina.

This is the most important chapter in the article. Read it and re-read it to fully understand what you need to do. As long as you adhere to the points in this chapter, you will drastically reduce the chances of you falling.

Work on Your Stamina

When you were younger, you could easily go for a run or a jog. You might have been out of breath after a while if you were not in shape… but you’d still be able to do it.

However, when you’re much older, running or even jogging may not be an option for you. If you’ve been a runner or jogger all your life, you will still be able to do it when you’re old. If you’ve not, it will be a Herculean task. Most people will just not be able to do it.

So what should you do?

You should walk. This is one of the best forms of cardiovascular training. The reason cardiovascular exercise is so important is because it keeps your heart healthy and gets your blood flowing. It will boost your blood circulation tremendously.

You could start with a 10 minute walk and increase it to 20 minutes until finally you can do it for 30 minutes. You really do not need to go on longer for 30 minutes. The goal is to get these 30 minutes of exercise daily.

Usually, in your senior years, you will have a lot of time. The overused excuse of not having time to exercise will no longer apply. Ensure that you walk daily.

Aim to increase your speed over time. Brisk walking is very beneficial. Gandhi used to walk 11 miles daily and called it the “prince of exercises”.

Other types of cardio that you may do are swimming, stationary bike, rowing machine, etc. Do note that cycling on a stationary bike is very different from cycling on an actual bicycle. It is not recommended for seniors to ride a bicycle.

Even if you’re perfectly able to cycle, there is always the off-chance that a dog or child may get in your way and you may lose control of the bike and fall.

Stick to safe activities.

Core training

Two of the best forms of core training are yoga and Pilates. If you can find Pilates or yoga classes near you, check if the instructor is able to accommodate an older person in their class.

In almost all cases, the instructors will be extremely helpful and glad to help someone who is making an effort to learn. That’s just the way it is.

Cast your fears aside and join these classes. Your flexibility and core strength will build up over time. Time is your greatest ally.

Since these are low impact exercises, you will not be breathless. You should progress at a pace you’re comfortable with. If it hurts, don’t push it. Tell your instructor what you can do and what you’re having difficulty with.

Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates to rehabilitate soldiers who were injured or maimed. It will definitely help you increase your flexibility, strength and stamina.

Initially, it may seem intimidating to do Pilates or yoga. Some seniors may find it too tough. Rest assured that you only need to do what you can and over time as you get better, you will be able to handle the more advanced poses.

Ask your instructor to create a program that you can handle. Practice makes perfect. Make measurable progress in reasonable time.

What if I Can’t Join a Pilates or Yoga Class?

If you can’t join these classes, there are a few exercises that you can do that will achieve similar goals. The key is to do them daily. In some cases, you can split your sessions throughout the day.

For example, you could spend your morning doing about 15 minutes of stretches and in the evening you may do strength training. There are no hard and fast rules here. You must listen to your body and do what feels comfortable.

If you do not know what the exercises are below, you can always Google them or check on YouTube for video demonstrations.

Core training at home

Planks

One of the best exercises for core training is planks. These are far more effective than sit-ups and crunches. They involve much less movement but are just as effective.

There are a few types of planks such as:

• Elbow planks
• Plank Up-downs
• Side Planks
• Top of push-up planks
• Spiderman planks
• Side plank – knee to elbow
• Plank walks
• One-leg plank
• Reverse plank
• Bird dog
• Floor bridge

As long as you do the plank exercises above, your core will be strong. You do not need to do them all in one day. You can do 2 or 3 a day and change them up on different days.

The key is to hold the plank for as long as you can. Despite the fact that not much movement is involved, these are very challenging exercises and you will find your body trembling and you may even be sweating and panting.

Do not push yourself too hard but do challenge yourself a little. Always use a yoga mat. This extra bit of cushioning will make it easier on your palms, elbows and knees. You can also use rolled up towels or small cushions under your elbows if they hurt.

Strength Training

This involves working with weights or your own bodyweight. Initially when you’re starting out, you can just stick to bodyweight training.

In fact, if you do not wish to go beyond bodyweight training, that’s perfectly fine. However, many men who do get into strength training may find that they could do much more in a gym. It’s totally your choice though.

Let’s look at some of the best bodyweight exercises.

• Standard Pushups
• Wide-grip pushups
• Narrow grip pushups
• Single leg pushups
• Burpees
• Squats
• Lunges
• V-sit
• Toe stands (Hold the back of a chair for support and slowly stand on your tiptoes)
• Knee curls (Hold the back of a chair for support and just curl your knee backwards)
• Leg straightening (Sit upright on a chair and straighten your leg. Hold for as long as you can and lower it. Repeat as many times as you can for both legs)

Using weights

If you do not wish to go to the gym, you can get a set of dumbbells and do arm curls, side arm raises, elbow extensions, etc. All these are resistance training exercises that are very effective.

As long as you do the exercises mentioned earlier, you will be just fine. They’re low impact but very effective for building strength and muscle.

Stability Training Methods

Just by working on your strength and stamina as mentioned in the earlier chapter, your overall stability will improve by leaps and bounds. However, there is one last side to this triangle… and it is flexibility.

All of us lose flexibility as we age. That’s why we are more prone to strains, pulls, muscle tears, etc. The key to avoiding all these issues is to stretch for 10 to 15 minutes daily. There is no need to aim for the splits like, Van Damme, does… but you should still stretch to stay limber.

• Neck rolls
• Arm rotations
• Shoulder rotations
• Knee rotations
• Ankle rotations
• Yoga sun salutation
• Standing side to side bends
• Calf stretches – standing calf stretch, wall stretch
• Hamstring stretches
• Cat-camel backstretch
• Squat stretch
• Seated forward bend

If you have postural problems that are causing pain in your back or hips, you will need to seek the help of a medical professional.

Usually these are chronic and in some cases people might have nerves that are pinched resulting in severe pain (i.e. sciatica).

Get professional help as soon as you can.

Stability Supports

In this chapter we will look at the different types of stability supports available to you should you need one.

Before looking at what products are available, we will need to address the elephant in the room… and that is the major shift in mindset that is required.

There are thousands of seniors who vehemently refuse to use walking canes or braces. They feel that it makes them look handicapped or worse… like an old person.

Getting old is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. This is especially so for people who led active lives and slowly find that as they age, their strength and speed is diminishing. This can be depressing to say the least.

They feel like it’s an insult and a sign of helplessness to use assists. The need to appear strong and independent is so great that they’re willing to endure life with much struggle.

The truth of the matter is that a walking cane is not a sign of weakness. You cannot afford to have this mindset. Walking aids are designed to help you. Using one effectively and helping yourself is a sign of strength and independence.

If you need one, get it… and use it. Never ever regret growing old. It is a privilege denied to many.

The best person to speak to in regards to using walking aids will be your doctor. If your problem is due to a lack of strength, you could make your muscles stronger and the problem would resolve itself.

However, if the issue is due to something else that can’t be resolved and your only option is a walking cane, then you will definitely need to get one. Your doctor will be able to tell the difference and let you know if you really need a cane or not. Of course, ultimately, the choice will be yours.

Now let’s look at the different types of walking aids.

Walking canes

We all know what these are. They’re usually made of aluminum with one end being a handle and the other having a rubber tip. Some walking canes are adjustable (about 33 to 37 inches) and some are foldable for convenience. When choosing a cane, make sure it is sturdy, yet lightweight and easy to carry.

Walkers

These provide more support and balance than canes. However, there is a certain social stigma to using these and many older people prefer walking canes because they’re less obvious.

Seniors who are weaker and unable to stand for long would be best off using walkers.

Most walkers are foldable and have 2 wheels in the front (about 5 inches in diameter) which are fixed.

Mobility scooters

These are usually the most convenient and the issue of falling while walking becomes moot because you’re seated and zipping around from point to point.

The only downside is that they can be pricey. However, this is a one-time investment that will pay dividends many times over in terms of convenience and safety.

Conclusion – How to Begin the road to Recovery or Prevention Today

The very fact that you’ve made it to the end of this report shows that you’re willing to see things through to finality. This is an excellent trait to have and will serve you well in your recovery.

Now that you know what to do in terms of training and requirements, you will be better prepared to help yourself regain your balance and stability.

Always remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. It will take time for your body to adapt and get stronger. You will need to be patient and consistent.

It is the consistent daily effort that matters. Like Buddha said, “A jug fills drop by drop”. There is no need to rush.

Make a plan and stick to it. If you commit to 15 minutes of exercise daily, then stick to it.

Try out all the different exercises mentioned so that your training has variety and you’re targeting different muscles. Aim for small incremental improvements in your performance.

Follow the precautions mentioned in chapter 4 closely to reduce any chances of you falling. You can never be too safe.

Last but not least, stay positive and do not feel depressed about aging. Have a sense of humor. Like Bob Hope, said, “You know you’re getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.”

Be proud of your achievements and that you have made it this far.

Age is just mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

“Aging can be fun if you lay back and enjoy it.” – Clint Eastwood