Understanding The Common Causes Of Balance Issues In Seniors 

September 6, 2022 0 Comment Category: Senior Health

With age, we can experience many challenges with common things like nutrition, memory, taste and even body balance. As per many senior care experts, balance issues are one of the most common reasons for seniors above the age of sixty-five to see their healthcare providers. Balance issues are very common in seniors and can be caused by a variety of things like age-related changes in the body, health issues, prescription medications, environmental changes, etc. Various coping mechanisms can help elderly adults manage balance issues and some of them are regular exercise, taking safety precautions, and vision correction. 

It can be quite scary if you or your senior loved one is suffering from balancing problems. This is because the fear of falling can negatively impact the quality of life, and some seniors may even choose to stay more sedentary to avoid worrying about falling. But, a sedentary lifestyle can result in decreased strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance. Luckily, there are many ways to help your senior loved one work on improving balance and as per the experienced caregivers in our senior assisted living facility, it is never too late to begin. Apart from working with your doctor and physical therapist, it can be beneficial to move to a more supportive environment like a senior assisted facility to combat your balance fears. 

What Causes Balance Issues In Seniors? 

The first step to improving the balance problem is to understand the cause of the problem. Older adults might experience balance issues due to reasons unique to the person. For instance, seniors can experience balance issues due to lightheadedness caused by problems with the circulatory system. Also, breathing issues caused by COPD and other such health conditions can make balancing difficult, especially while trying to stand from a lying or sitting position. But, it isn’t just medical conditions that can lead to balance problems. Some of the most common causes of balancing issues in seniors are discussed below. 

Side Effects Of Medications

Bot OTC and prescription medications are aimed at combating the symptoms of health conditions and helping us feel better. But, there can be many side effects of these medications that can result in other problems, which also include balancing problems. Senior care experts claim that the biggest culprit of balance issues in elderly adults is medications that help manage blood pressure levels. This does not mean that you should stop taking these medications, but you should review the balance issues that you are experiencing with your doctor. 

Vision Problems 

Problems with vision can also result in balance issues. Many elderly adults living with vision problems experience issues with remaining balanced. Some of the common culprits are cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. These problems can make seniors feel unsure of their surroundings and unstable on their feet, leading to falls. 

Hearing Loss 

Many of us might not correlate hearing loss to balancing issues, but senior care experts say that inner ear disorders in adults can result in balancing challenges. Our inner ear is responsible for the balance system of our body and any condition or infection affecting the inner ear negatively affects our ability to feel stable and balanced. 

Chronic Health Conditions 

It is important to understand how a chronic health condition can affect your daily life if you are living with one. Some chronic health conditions can enhance balance challenges and increase the risks of falling. For instance, seniors living with diabetes can experience balance issues and lightheadedness when the blood sugar level in the body is very low. Other health conditions like cardiovascular problems and COPD are also associated with balance issues and increased chances of falling.