Balance Control of Elderly Adults Essay - 1363 Words

As we age and move further into our elderly years, everyday motor skills that were able to do most of our lives without giving much thought such as good balance and mobility, become physical barriers for us to overcome each day. Most of everyone wants to be as independent as possible; therefore, in order to ensure this happens, good balance and mobility are very important factors. Complications with either of these motor skills will result in physical dependence and/or fall injuries. Good balance and mobility play an even bigger role for us outdoors due to the uneven ground surfaces, lighting conditions, and obstacles that may be on the ground. In this article, the researchers believe that declining balance and mobility can be improved†¦show more content†¦Patients that range from mild balance and mobility impairments to severe are able to participate and interact with the computer game exercise. In this research, a physical therapy approach is tested via an interactive vide o game paradigm. Balance control and how the patient interacts with the environment is the focus of the experiment. The engaging balance games involved the patient performing repeated whole-body, voluntary movements toward random target locations, resulting in movements that changed direction, speed amplitude, and precision. The researchers hypothesized that the interactive balance computer game, along with a physical therapy program of strength and balance exercise, could improve the patients’ motor skills. The study by Szturm, Betker, Moussavi, Desai, and Goodman (2011) was focused on a group of ambulatory community-dwelling adults with balance issues in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Participants were first given a description of the study and had to sign informed consent. The participants were chosen after they passed the inclusion criteria, which entailed being over the age of 65, having a Mini-Mental State Examination score over 24, being able to speak English and underst and the concept of the study with a signed informed consent, and being able to independently ambulate with or without a cane or walker. According to clinical data, there were no significant differences in testing scores between the experimental group and control group,Show MoreRelatedThe Center For Disease Report810 Words   |  4 Pagesthe elderly adult. According to stats released by the CDC, there are an estimated one to three falls that occur among the elderly resulting in a direct medical cost of $30 billion yearly. According to Barbour et al. (2012) falls often result in significant consequences for the elderly adult patients including, hip fracture, brain injuries, limited functional abilities, and reductions in physical activities. Barbour et al. further reported that falls are more commonly seen in an older adults withRead MoreThe Effects Of Exercise On Older Adults941 Words   |  4 PagesAbstract Among the United States the number of elderly adults is steadily rising, and it is said that the age group of 65+ is predicted to double in the next 30 years. This age group has been linked with a decrease in muscle strength and mass, which in turn, directly correlates to how we function on a day-today basis, mobility, risk of falling, and depression levels. Within this paper, I have chosen to analyze how strength conditioning can heavily impact elderly individuals. As we all know, nothing lastsRead MoreWhat Are The Three Major Health Issues And Challenges?1511 Words   |  7 Pagesbrings pain and discomfort to the person. The topic of falling will account for falls that the elderly experience that in turn affect them long after the fall occurs. Lastly, medication use will look at the effects of medication use and combination with other medications. While discussing these topics, methods of health promotion and prevention will be explored in order to help present and future elderly adults deal with these issues. (Along with health promotion and prevention methods, entry-level practiceRead MoreLifestyle Interventions For Managing Obesity1485 Words   |  6 PagesLifestyle interventions for managing obesity in older adults INTRODUCTION Obesity is condition of being abnormal with excess of accumulated fat in the adipose tissue of the body to the extent which increases the health risk, illness and may lead to morality. An important cause of body fat mass is the association between energy taken and energy spent. A person becomes obese when he/she consumes more calories than they burn. Calories are necessary in orderRead MoreElderly Nutrition1540 Words   |  7 Pagesnutrient requirements and need for nutrition services. The aging individual in good health who exercises regularly and takes few medications may have nutrient requirements that are similar to those of younger adults of the same sex, build, and health status. Conversely, the chronically ill elderly adult who is regularly taking a wide variety of drugs is likely to have increased need for particular nutrients as compared to his or her peers who enjoy good health. An active older persons living in the communityRead MoreThe Significance of the Study of Stepping On, a Fall Prevention Program710 Words   |  3 PagesStepping On (fall prevention program) According to Clemson (et al 2004), falls amongst the elderly represent a serious psychological as well as physical threat. Because of older patients physical frailty (as a result of complaints due to osteoporosis or arthritis), a fall can result in a substantial compromise to patient mobility and also result in a blow to patient self-confidence. Falls among the elderly represent a major economic and social problem Falls themselves and the belief that one mightRead MoreElderly Nutrition1532 Words   |  7 Pagesnutrient requirements and need for nutrition services. The aging individual in good health who exercises regularly and takes few medications may have nutrient requirements that are similar to those of younger adults of the same sex, build, and health status. Conversely, the chronically ill elderly adult who is regularly taking a wide variety of drugs is likely to have increased need for particular nutrients as compared to his or her peers who enjoy good health. An active older persons living in the communityRead Moreâ€Å"Physical Activity Is Defined As Any Body Movement That1598 Words   |  7 Pagesprevalence of a sedentary lifestyle overpowers a lifestyle that includes regular exercise. Physical inactivity can be seen in many age groups, but â€Å"elderly people are even less likely to engage in physical activity than their younger counterparts,† (Ferrini, 2013, p. 276). This is concerning to me as an aspiring health professional because the elderly population continues to grow through the years, but the population of elders isn’t the only thing growing, diseases and illnesses are also arising.Read MoreThe Health Impacts And Costs Of Falling On Older Adults1416 Words   |  6 Pagesmost frequent and devastating accidents in older adult (WHO, 2004). There are different interpretations related to falls. For instance, according to healthcare professions fall is an event leading to ill health and injuries, whereas older adults define it as a loss of balance (Zecevic et al., 2006). Approximately, 28% to 35% older adults age 65 years and older fall each year (WHO, 2007). Around 85% of these falls occurs in the home among older adults living independently (Tideiksaar, 1987). Falls accountsRead MoreWhat is Sarcopenia?1713 Words   |  7 Pagesinflammatory changes, and decreased anabolic hormone production (3, 1073). Dietary protein is essential in order to build muscle and avoid loss of lean body mass (4, 686). Evidence indicates increased protein intake above the RDA of 0.8 g/kg per day in older adult s will increase the anabolic response of muscle (3, 1073). High dietary protein intake is inversely associated with loss of lean body mass. Surveys indicate 22-38% of men and 32-41% of females aged 50 years and older consume less than the dietary recommendation