Symptoms and Treatment of Balance Issues in Seniors
Balance challenges are very common among seniors and progress slowly over time. This means that you or your senior loved one might not notice any changes in balancing right away. However, our expert senior living and assisted living staff share some of the common signs and symptoms of balancing issues in seniors to help you understand if you or your senior loved one is suffering from balancing issues. If you notice any of the below symptoms, you need to schedule a doctor’s appointment to find the exact cause of the balancing problem and treat it.
Some of the most common symptoms of balance issues in seniors are:
- Dizzy feeling while standing up from a lying or sitting position.
- Lightheadedness or faintness at any time of the day.
- Experiencing a spinning sensation after standing for a long time.
- Seeing floaters or experiencing blurred vision.
- Feeling disoriented and confused.
- Having a floating sensation while walking.
- Feeling unstable while walking or standing.
- Need to lower yourself to sitting while trying to get up from a sitting position.
How To Deal With Balance Disorders?
Irrespective of the causes of balance issues in elderly adults, there are many ways to ensure the health and safety of your senior loved one and avoid any serious falls. You need to work closely with the physical therapist and the doctor of your senior loved one to come up with a treatment plan that is the best for the person. You may then consider making changes to the lifestyle and the environment to complement the treatment plan.
Address Health Issues Leading To Balance Problems
Understanding the cause is the first thing in improving balance problems in elderly adults. You should schedule an appointment with the doctor of your senior loved one to review the health conditions and medicines that might be causing the balancing issues. The doctor might order different tests to make a good idea of what could be leading to balance issues. After identifying the exact cause, the medical team can devise an effective treatment plan.
Apart from addressing health issues, you can adjust the environment to meet the balance needs of your senior loved one. If your senior loved one is suffering from balance issues, you need to ensure that their safety is not hindered by their living environment. You may add grab bars in the shower and bathroom, increase lighting in dark areas, and add night lights to ensure safe walking at night.