Aging often comes with its fair share of surprises – more than just some gray hair and wrinkles. Aging comes with physical and cognitive changes that can impact daily life in significant ways. From stiff joints and slower reflexes to vision loss and memory problems, older adults continually face challenges to their ability to live active, independent lifestyles.
One of the most common concerns for aging adults is the fear of unexpected injury. Older bodies are easier to injure. A simple fall that would have been a minor inconvenience in your early twenties can be a major setback in your golden years. It can even be catastrophic.
While we can’t avoid the natural processes that accompany our aging bodies, there are many things we can do to minimize the impact of these changes, including the likelihood of falls and injuries. One of the unfortunate side effects of aging is that the fear of injury can often keep us from enjoying activities we would otherwise love. The emotional impact alone can contribute to reduced activity and loss of independence – even without an injury.
This is why it’s so important to take an active role in maintaining your strength, balance, flexibility, and yes – confidence – as you age. A stronger, healthier body can lead to a stronger, healthier attitude, and can help you age gracefully without making huge changes to your lifestyle.
Why Balance Problems Happen as We Age
There are many factors that can contribute to balance problems in older bodies. Muscles tend to get weaker, joints get stiffer, reflexes get slower, and much more. You may experience sensory changes like hearing and vision loss. These changes and others can contribute to balance problems. Many people will even develop chronic conditions like arthritis, neuropathy, or vestibular disorders that can increase the risk of falling.
Worldwide, people are living longer. The global population is aging at a much greater rate than in the past1. Modern advances in medicine and nutrition will give many of us an opportunity to live well into our senior years. This is a good thing, but it doesn’t change the physical reality of the balance problems and increased risk of falling that accompanies old age.
The Hidden Cost of Falling
For adults aged 65 and older, 1 in 4 reports falling each year. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injuries in this age group2. Falls can often have serious repercussions, including bone fractures, hospitalizations, and long recovery times. What may be worse are the emotional consequences of these falls. Often, older adults who experience serious injuries will fear future injuries, which can cause anxiety and lead to a loss of independence as people fear doing things for themselves.
Falling takes a toll both physically and emotionally. While accidents can happen and not all of them can be avoided, taking proactive steps to prepare your body for aging can go a long way toward helping you keep your strength, balance, and confidence as you age.
The Role of Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a fantastic tool for building and maintaining a strong, healthy body. A trained physical therapist can help mitigate some of the negative effects of aging – effects like muscle weakness, joint stiffness, even medical conditions like arthritis and vestibular disorders.
A physical therapist can help with:
- Assessment: a personalized evaluation to help determine the cause of any balance problems
- Strength and balance exercises: a tailored exercise program based on your personal needs can help you build strength and improve balance
- Gait training, assistive device education, and home safety recommendations: professional guidance on the lifestyle changes you can make to help you stay balanced and avoid falling
- Focus on regaining confidence, not just physical ability: adhering to your therapy program and the guidance of your therapist will help you build the confidence you need to stay active and independent
A skilled physical therapist has the tools and knowledge to help you combat weakening muscles, stiffening joints, nerve problems and much, much more. A skilled therapist can also give you the tools you need to build strength, balance, flexibility and confidence at home on your own time. Physical therapy is an ideal tool for building the physical ability and emotional resilience you need to live the life you want.
When to Seek Help
There are many warning signs that may suggest you need physical therapy. If you find yourself experiencing frequent stumbles or near-falls, avoiding activities out of fear, or needing furniture or walls for support when walking, it’s time to contact a skilled therapist. Even if you feel like it’s too late and there’s no help for you, the truth is that it’s never too late to improve your balance and confidence. Even minor improvements will encourage you to keep working and improving. The results will speak for themselves.
If you’re not experiencing these symptoms yet, even better. It’s also never too early to start preparing your body and mind for aging. The work you put in today will play a major role in your physical ability and emotional strength in the future.
If you’re ready to start building a better tomorrow with improved balance, strength, confidence and independence, reach out to one of our expert physical therapists to schedule a consultation. Call today at 352.351.8883 or send us an email. We would love to help you learn how to age with confidence and grow into your best life.
Sources
- “Ageing and Health.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization. Oct 1, 2024. www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health.
- “Older Adult Falls Data.” CDC. Older Adult Fall Prevention, 9 May 2024, www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/.
