Having trouble keeping your balance?

Posted by John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop, Dec 13, 2018

I am at the age where I am always watching where I step so as not to lose my balance. Falling can be dangerous for some of us in the older generation. This is especially true when you have other health problems. It's important to work on being able to keep your balance. Today I received a Mayo Clinic on Controlling your Arthritis which I thought had some excellent and easy to do exercises to help gain better balance.

Slide show: Balance exercises
Adding a few simple exercises to your daily routine may help you prevent falls and improve your balance. See how to do them.
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/multimedia/balance-exercises/sls-20076853?s=1

What are your biggest balance challenges? What kind of exercises help you?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

@imallears

@sapphira
87 is a great age and kudos to you for walking and wanted to pursue PT.....very important. As a former dancer you know stretching is so important to do everyday throughout the day when you think of it. Maybe some light weights. Keeping you pain free is your goal now and keeping your balance and stability is a forever goal. We all “break down” as we age and it’s hard not to let any pain overcome your efforts. Go strong lady....you sound like a positive person....

Regards from Florida Mary

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to: florida Mary - Thanks for your advice and encouragement. I don't know about 87 being a great age- will never quite get used to it!

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@imallears

@bookysue
Great and important post! I’m 78 and also think I am in better shape than when I was younger...lucky to have no pain...and also hard of hearing (which is why I am crazy about balance exercises ). I’ve been attending exercise classes for nearly 6 years and incorporate many of the stretching, strength and cardio into my daily routine...throughout the day. What a difference in quality of life.

Regards from Florida Mary

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Thanks Florida Mary - for confirmation because I am new at this- I see a difference but it helps when someone else is going through some of the same issues. Movement makes a difference - just incorporated into my daily life. I do not like gym,etc but I like being active.

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Hey,ladies, this beats the alternative, if you get my drift. I like the fact that I worked hard all my life and am in better shape than some of my friends as a result. If I keep working a little each day, it gives me self respect and pride in my achievement, which I need. My deceased husband used to tell me he was going to outlive me because I had so many health problems. He has been gone 12 years now, and I inherited everything, although at the last minute he tried to give property to the children which would have left me with no income. His attorney didn't allow that to happen, thank God. My self respect has been restored and I can accept having a little help with the responsibilities now. That means a lot to me. Communicating with others keeps me cheerful. Dorisena

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John, I forgot in include you in my message when I said "hey, ladies." I apologize. It is good to have you on the team and I appreciate your support. Dorisena

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Here's one of my favorite short videos by Dr. Amit Sood - A Very Happy Brain. Had the opportunity to listen to him speak a few years ago and he is an amazing person.

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@dorisena

Hey,ladies, this beats the alternative, if you get my drift. I like the fact that I worked hard all my life and am in better shape than some of my friends as a result. If I keep working a little each day, it gives me self respect and pride in my achievement, which I need. My deceased husband used to tell me he was going to outlive me because I had so many health problems. He has been gone 12 years now, and I inherited everything, although at the last minute he tried to give property to the children which would have left me with no income. His attorney didn't allow that to happen, thank God. My self respect has been restored and I can accept having a little help with the responsibilities now. That means a lot to me. Communicating with others keeps me cheerful. Dorisena

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Good for you girl

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The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy website has a great article on Tai Chi for Peripheral Neuropathy which includes some videos on balance exercises with Tai Chi.

https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/integrative-therapies/tai-chi/
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@johnbishop

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy website has a great article on Tai Chi for Peripheral Neuropathy which includes some videos on balance exercises with Tai Chi.

https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/integrative-therapies/tai-chi/

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Thanks John. Much appreciated. Very timely for me both for balance and early stages of peripheral neuropathy.

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Hi @dreamer38, thank you for the private message. I thought I would answer it in this discussion so that you could meet other members concerned about balance issues and falling.

Your question was you have had PMR since last Oct and been on Prednisone. You have fallen three times and have been told it’s the Prednisone. Nothing has broken but the bruises are awful and very painful! The grazings are nasty too. Do you have any helpful ideas?

I have no medical training but have had 2 occurrences of PMR and I stumble once in awhile. I also have osteopenia (thin bones) and have the same concern you do about bones breaking easily. I would first discuss it with your doctor to see if he has any suggestions or recommendations on supplements in case you have thin bones which makes falls worse for you. There are a lot of easy exercises you can do to help with the balance issues.

I'm tagging @becsbuddy @dorisena @helenr @lioness and @grandmar to see if they can offer some balance exercise suggestions for you.

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@johnbishop

Hi @dreamer38, thank you for the private message. I thought I would answer it in this discussion so that you could meet other members concerned about balance issues and falling.

Your question was you have had PMR since last Oct and been on Prednisone. You have fallen three times and have been told it’s the Prednisone. Nothing has broken but the bruises are awful and very painful! The grazings are nasty too. Do you have any helpful ideas?

I have no medical training but have had 2 occurrences of PMR and I stumble once in awhile. I also have osteopenia (thin bones) and have the same concern you do about bones breaking easily. I would first discuss it with your doctor to see if he has any suggestions or recommendations on supplements in case you have thin bones which makes falls worse for you. There are a lot of easy exercises you can do to help with the balance issues.

I'm tagging @becsbuddy @dorisena @helenr @lioness and @grandmar to see if they can offer some balance exercise suggestions for you.

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Good Morning @dreamer38
I have been dealing with balance issues for a few years, now.
Over the last few, I have fallen a few times.
The last time, I fell in front of my 7 year old granddaughter.

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