As an aging Charlotte senior, it is important to do personal care as well as professional care in regards to fall prevention. Consistent at home exercises based around maintaining balance and flexibility is one way to work on fall prevention. The following two home exercises can be done holding onto a chair or rail, or with another person.
Flamingo Stand: This exercise is pretty simple. Imitating a flamingo, stand one on leg, balancing all your weight on one side before transferring to the other leg. This exercise can most easily be done holding onto the back of a chair. Start out by balancing on one leg for 10 seconds 5-10 times. Repeat with other side. It is normal that one side will more steady than the other. The more you exercise, the more steady and balanced on both sides you will become. Once this feels too easy, begin to slowly reach for your foot that is off the ground. Reach as far in front of you as possible, without touching the ground.
Rock the Boat: This exercise requires help of another person. Start with your feet hip length apart, pressing your feet into the floor with equal strength on both sides. After you maintain balance and straight posture with your back, shoulders, and head back, slowly shift your weight from one side to the other, lifting your opposite foot off the ground for no longer than 30 seconds. Try for at least 10-15 seconds, but if you feel comfortable. Repeat on the other side, shifting your weight from one foot to the other. Repeat 5 times on both sides each, working up to more repetition when you feel comfortable doing so.
For more information on how to maintain balance, click here.
BrightStar Care of Charlotte, NC proudly provides Home Health Care and Support for the elderly and children, including 24 hour skilled nursing and support in senior independent and assisted living communities. Additionally we provide Medical Staffing and In-Home Physical Therapy for pediatric, adult and geriatric patients, Companion and Personal Care for Seniors with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. We also provide Home Child Care, Sitter and Nanny services for Children and Support for New Mothers and children with special needs. We support Veterans and accept most Long Term Care Insurance benefits, provide Hospice care, Live-in care, CNA, Caregiver, RN, LVN, RN Supervision, Compassionate Care, and Compatibility Guarantees. Other services include safe discharge and transportation from the hospital or rehab facility, Post Op care both short and long term, Pre Operation and preparation help and assistance, and client monitoring for out-of-town family members. Proudly serving Myers Park, South Park, Ballantyne, Charlotte, Waxhaw, Pineville and Monroe.