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Retiree's Guide to Staying Steady and Avoid Balance Injuries

Losing your balance when you are older can have major consequences. When you are not as diligent about your healthy as you grow older, you could end up in the hospital emergency room with a broken hip, concussion or some other mishap. Falling is a major result of losing your balance.

However, if you are physically fit and eat right, losing your balance may not cause falls, but they can still cause injuries. Losing some sensory awareness in regards to what your body parts are doing is common as people get older; it is just a fact of life. There are some things you can do in order to improve your balance and avoid those sprains, strains and other aches and pains that might prevent you from being more active than you normally are.

Here are some steps you can take if you find yourself losing your balance:

1. Check your medications. Sometimes, your medication or a switch to a new vitamin can cause your balance problems. This is especially true of heart medication or the consumption of herbs. Read the labels and drug history to look for side effects. Sometimes, a different dosage can make all the difference.

2. Strength Training can help. When you maintain a healthy exercise regime which includes strength training, you are keeping your muscles supple and it also helps with both health and strength. Always exercise with a partner or in a public gym for safety reasons.

3. Create an obstacle free home. Sometimes the most innocuous things will trip you up or make you lose your balance. Pick up clutter, especially anything that is left on the floor. Use non-skid mats in the bathtub and shower. Install non-skid tape under rugs so they stay in place. If you rearrange furniture, keep a night light on so that you don't trip over your new furniture configuration in the dark of night. Keep wet floors clean and dry. Have both you and a friend walk through each others homes to inspect for possible balance transgressors.

4. Practice balancing exercises. Use an exercise ball which helps you find your body's center of gravity when exercising. Work on balance exercises as prescribed by a trainer or doctor. Try yoga and Pilates, both are exercises that can help maintain a sense of balance. Repeating a few sessions of tightrope walking and a balanced standing stance also help. These can be done as you are walking down grocery store aisles or even at the check-out lines.

Perhaps the most important thing that retirees can do is to get regular physicals or doctor check-ups. Ask questions on how to improve your health and balance. Pair up with a friend to stay on task with your balancing exercises as well as proper diet. There are so many variables that can affect balance. By covering as many as possible, you can do quite a bit to prevent injuries that are caused by balance problems. Keep agile with exercise and also keep your eyes and ears open for potential hazards. With the helpful information listed above, you should maintain a relatively trouble-free active lifestyle.