Enjoy our blog and keep up to date on McLean and the latest news in senior living.
As we get older, it’s common to notice changes in our balance. Muscle strength declines, joints get stiffer, reflexes slow down, and our vision and inner ear—the systems that help us stay upright—become less sharp. But here’s the good news: balance is a skill, and like any skill, it can improve with practice.
Winter in New England means snow and ice. And we know that winter weather can lead to winter falls. Older adults are especially susceptible to these falls; in fact, the CDC website states that “Every second of every day, an older adult (age 65+) suffers a fall in the U.S.— making falls the leading cause of injury…in this age group.”
What can you do to help prevent winter falls? Consider these tips so that this winter will be a safe one*:
Most of us have heard that stretching is beneficial, but questions often arise about different methods of stretching and how often it should be done. What are the current concepts in muscle-stretching methods? These tips from Physical Therapist Jenny Braddock, Director of Rehabilitation at McLean, give us a closer look at stretching.