Fall Prevention Exercises - Ventana Winds Retirement

More than 1 in 4 senior citizens fall each year, sometimes resulting in serious injuries. Performing regular fall prevention exercises can reduce accident risks by strengthening key muscles and improving balance.

Best Exercises To Prevent Falls

Always remember safety is paramount with any of these exercises. Have someone nearby at all times if you feel as though you may need some assistance. Try these fall prevention exercises below.

Toe To Heel

Start by holding onto a countertop or sturdy chair back.
Stand with good posture, rising up on your toes with heels in the air.
Lower your feet flat onto the floor.
Rock back on your heels to lift your toes into the air.
Try to repeat this motion 10 times.

One-Leg Balance

Stand in front of a counter or between two chairs of equal height.
Hold on to the supportive surface, bending the knee to raise one foot and balance on one leg.
Bring your foot back down to a resting position then repeat with the other leg.
Try to balance for 10-15 seconds with each leg.

Foot Taps

Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart either in front of a step or low furniture piece.
Raise one foot slowly to tap the step in front of your body.
Now, return this foot to the ground.
Do 15-20 taps with each foot.
Hold onto the wall or a steady furniture piece, if needed.

Head Rotations

Once again stand tall, feet hip-width apart.
Move your head from side to side then up and down all while keeping your body still.
Do this rotation for 30 seconds at a time.
If you start to feel dizzy, you can either pause or stop the motion altogether.

March In Place

Stand with good posture while holding onto a countertop or chair back.
Bring your knees up to your chest as if you are marching in place.
Do this motion slowly and deliberately.
Try to rack up 10 knee raises for each leg.

Side Leg Raise

Stand with good posture while holding onto a countertop or chair back.
Raise one leg out to the side while keeping toes pointed ahead toward the countertop or chair.
Use muscles instead of momentum as you do this slowly and deliberately.
Refrain from dipping your upper body to the opposite side while raising the leg.
Go for 10 repetitions on each side.

Side Twist

Stand between two chairs of equal height.
Place your feet about shoulder-width apart.
Turn, using your upper body and head, then touch the chair on one side.
Turn and touch the chair on the opposite side now.

One-Leg Side Twist

Do the same exercise listed above, but attempt it while balancing on one leg.
Keep hold at all times or have someone nearby ready to help, if needed.

Retirement In Youngtown, Arizona

There isn’t a more appropriately named setting for this lively community than Youngtown! Monthly rent at Ventana Winds includes three well balanced meals plus snacks, 24-hour staff, and a daily tidying of your apartment. The offerings don’t end there! Personal laundry is done weekly, transportation is provided for appointments or shopping, a 24/7 emergency call system is in place, as well as a full slate of exciting activities. Check out all of Ventana Winds’ offerings today!