SENIOR HEALTH CONNECTION NEWSLETTER Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital Center April 2012 Balance Stay steady on your feet. Having good balance means being able to maintain and control your body's position, whether you are moving or standing still. A good sense of balance helps you to walk without staggering, get up from a chair without falling and climb stairs without tripping. As people grow older they will often have difficulty with balance. Nearly 8 million American adults report having a chronic balance problem. A number of things can affect your sense of balance; a vision problem or a disturbance of the inner ear are the main reasons. Side effects of medications or conditions such as Parkinson's and arthritis can also make you less secure on your feet. As people get older there is also a decrease of physical activity which results in muscle loss and strength needed for balance. Check with your physician if you are having problems with balance. One of the best balance builders is walking. Walking keeps your leg muscles strong. Start with the basics. Almost any activity that keeps you on your feet and moving will help to maintain good balance. Walking is a great and easy way to retain balance. The less you walk, the more you "unlearn" this basic skill. You also become less able to catch yourself when you stumble or trip. Taking a class, playing a sport, or walking forces the body to travel in more planes of movement. Pilates, tai chi, and yoga can also help develop balance. You can do something at any age, it's never too late to start! Talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program. 51