What have you done to improve balance?

What worked for me was the WII balance games. The older version works better than the latest. You might be able to pick one up at Goodwill or a pawn shop.

Have somebody to spot you at first so you don't fall.

Hello, Ed (@njed), @sueinmn

I'm waiting to hear back from my PT with what he'd charge for an out-of-pocket visit. If what he tell me is not too out line, I'll go for it. This sitting around, pretending I don't need a PT, don't need guidance, don't need a PT's motivational influence just isn't going to hack it. I need at least a once-a-week visit from a PT.

Ray (@ray666)

@ray666 Hi, Ray -- mine offers 3 or 4 different kinds of visits and lengths of times for each. Some include use of the type of equipment that is supervised and"prescribed" as therapy, some are designed to be completely instructive (little or no in-office practice), some are a combination. We agreed that the best program for me is the myokinesthetic treatment (her specialty), which is 20 min. long. You can stay afterwards and use some unsupervised equipment on your own. This session is $55.00 and there are no "package" deals - the charge is the same whether you decide on one or 25 sessions. I go once every other week. If I wanted to change therapy clinics & therapists, I could get a session every week, paid in full between Medicare and my secondary. I like my therapist so much, though, I don't want to change. I also have a chiropractic adjustment once a month on a maintenance schedule. If the appointments were for an injury or post-operative the cost would be covered but since they are not, I pay out-of-pocket for those, as well: $45./appointment, and if I ask him to also adjust
extremities (arms, knees, feet, for example) there is an additional $20.00 charge. In this case, too (and actually especially), I wouldn't even consider changing chiropractors.
I know you didn't ask for all this pricing information but I offer it in case it could help you or someone else who is trying to determine whether out-of-pocket is worth paying. I've had to conclude that in those long-ago years we were paying for investments such as a home or vacation cottage but now, I'm investing in my health with a view towards living the best life I can reasonably afford. for as many years as God grants me.
Here's to a good Wednesday and good news on a do-able cost of an out-of-pocket visit with your PT!!
Barb

Concerning the WII games. I found the best one for balance to be navigating the swamp. The best for endurance was the bicycle ride. I usually started with that. It takes as long as it takes. I would then do the swamp until I got tired of trying it. It took over a month to get good enough to make it all the way through and even then I could only make it about once every three tries. I used the WII almost every day and enjoyed it and felt better for it but I can't put a number on the improvement.

@bjk3 @ray666 - Barb, good point. I was not needing hands on therapy because I knew all 15 exercises. I'd go in, set my own timers on certain equipment on treadmills, rowing machines, etc and for not having to be closely monitored, I think my 45 minutes was about $40.00. On certain items, they would "spot" me with a therapy assistant.

Hi, Barb (@bjk3), Ed (@njed)

Your mesages have me wishing I were back to doing the old-fashioned way of doing PT: actually going to the PT center (i.e., clinic, workshop, gym). My PT has got me spoiled: he comes to my house, trundling his gymnasium-load of equipment. He takes what time it takes to get all set up, then for the next hour or so we do all sorts of stretches and exercises, hardly ever touching all the equipment he's trundled. 🙂 Crazy, I know. If he and I can't resolve our isurance glitch, I think I'll ask my PCP to refer me to one of the local PT centers, where a short cross-town drive is necessary. Makes sense to me.

Happy Wednesday!
Ray (@ray666)

@ray666 Hi, Ray -- Well, here it is, coming up on Sunday - next PT appointment is on Tuesday at the clinic. The drive across town is only about 15 minutes, and less if I "make" all the lights. I like going out because it feels like a social connection that I don't enjoy at home. Everyone at the clinic is a friend. I was going to say "like a friend" but that falls short because we really do relate as friends. It definitely helps to keep my spirits up. On days/weeks like these (a week or longer with temperatures near and below 0*) I'd rather stay home but it is better if I just use common sense about not running extra errands in the frigid temperatures and avoid getting overextended or overtired. Sure do look forward to the appointments themselves, though. I don't know, Ray - there are so many variables, inconsistencies, unforeseens, and unpredictables- we try to make the best decisions we can at the time, right?
I do hope your insurance can be straightened out. The fewer stressors, the better. These conversations among us on Connect sure do help in so many ways. Here's to a Peace-filled Sunday - and to keeping our balance! ~ Barb

Hi, Barb–– So many of my friends––those who are in my age "category"––will tell me about a "heavy social calendar," then laugh, admitting that all of their upcoming appointments are medical. 🙂 I, too, hope I can get back to regular PT. I needed the added spur of knowing I've a therapist who'll be checking up on how I'm doing. Left to my own devices … well, I promise myself I'll do my routines faithfully, but oh, too often, laziness steps in. 🙂 On Friday, just for the heck of it, I phoned my therapist's employer, the PT company, and asked if it's expected that my insurance (my Advantage plan) will ever fall back into the PT company's good graces. I was knocked backwards (not a nice thing to do to a guy with PN!) to be told, "Sir, your Advantage plan has never fallen out of our good graces!" Huh? You mean I've been skipping PT for nothing? In any event, I'm going to phone my therapist on Monday morning and ask if he'd double-check with his employer. There are some wires crossed somewhere. // It's actually warming up today. I think the temps are about to rise into the 20s. I'd better uncover the patio furniture. 🙂 ––Ray

Check out Grow Young Fitness online. You can follow on Facebook and see Simple exercises every day for seniors, many of them help balance.

@califirniagal

Classical Stretch is on PBS and there are programs dedicated to improving balance. Feet exercises are very important for posture and balance. I do this program every morning--I find it just as effective as PT. I am in the deep freeze here so a program like this is important for me.