Article magazine Chile

 article published in the magazine Clicmagazine:

 

Tai Chi and handrails, secrets to prevent falls of grandparents

August 30, 2013 Jeniffer Vega

slips and falls are accidents that they are of much importance as we get older and see that our balance, sense of orientation, will gradually deteriorate reflexes and muscle strength. Therefore also they become a constant concern because in addition to the physical consequences, they have an important impact psychological, economic and family.

 

According to Mauricio Lorca, specialist in gerontological Kinesiology of Seniority, 'falls in older adults are multifactorial, i.e., involved a number of extrinsic and intrinsic variables in each case. "That its cause is often difficult to determine, since you have to take into account age, medical conditions, environment and, in some cases, the type of medication given to the elderly."

 

That is why the specialist recommends always first make a proper diagnostic evaluation with a specialist, in order to identify the risk factors or predisposition to a fall, and in a second step, adapt the environment in which the elderly, as for example, to maintain good lighting in corridors and stairs, installed next to the toilet and in the shower grab barsuse non-slip mats in the bathroom, put handrails in corridors and stairs, get off the bed to a height that is comfortable and safe, and use shoes with non-slip soles and comfortable.

Resistance and work

however, the physiotherapist of Seniority ensures that the main tool to reduce the occurrence of these events is that the elderly remain physically active.

 

"We usually react when an acute event has already occurred. Rehabilitation efforts tend to focus on the treatment of diseases after a fall, rather than in trying to maintain or improve the strength and function", he explains.

 

In this sense, Mauricio Lorca encourages older adults to be as physically active as possible within its capabilities, to improve or maintain the strength, resistance, flexibility and, above all, balance, allowing you to also react better to a possible fall.

 

"In our residences of Seniority, for example, design an exercise routine daily according to the valence of older adults, either in a group class led by a physiotherapist, through a program of specific training and even just walking every day a few minutes, if necessary with assistance or security, such as a cane or Walker implements"He has in Kinesiology.

Tai Chi

Mauritius also recommends the practice of Tai-Chi, which is an Eastern discipline of slow and harmonious movements, which in addition to helping balance and flexibility, has shown lower blood pressure and strengthen joints, which is a perfect complement to keep the force in our final stage of life.