As we age there are certain problems that start to show and affect daily tasks. Issues with balance in the elderly population is a more common problem than you may think, and the reasons for this can be attributed to a range of health issues. Often balance issues can be one of the reasons that elderly people need home care or assistance as carrying out tasks can be difficult or riskier.
Dizziness
This is the most common cause of imbalance in elderly people. Caused by a potential number of medical and environmental factors, dizziness can affect eyesight and coordination of movement. Dizziness can be shown as a number of different symptoms such as:
- Temporary loss of sight – blurred or loss of vision
- Light-headedness
- Confusion or disorientation
These symptoms can make elderly people more likely to have a serious fall or have problems with daily activities such as taking the stairs, leading to a need for elderly health care. For more information on the causes of dizziness visit https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/d/dizziness/
Inner ear issues
One of the most common reasons for balance problems in elderly people is issues with the ear, causing vertigo. Changes or swelling to the labyrinth part of the ear, which controls balance can cause issues with stability. These issues are often caused by labyrinthitis where the labyrinth swells or changes, thus making accidents such as falls more likely. For more information, take a look at the HSE’s page here: https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/l/labyrinthitis/
Decreased muscle strength
Often one of the signs of aging is a degradation of the muscles and overall strength. This weakening of muscles and coordination can impact balance and affect how confident people are to carry out tasks independently. A sedentary lifestyle, arthritis, or diseases that affect the muscles and bones can all lead to this degradation and cause issues with mobility and balance.
Cognitive issues
Another common factor for loss of balance and control is issues with the cognitive function of the brain. As we age the processing power of the brain can weaken or be impacted by events such as a stroke. These factors can cause the brain to struggle to interpret the signals given, which can cause issues surrounding balance. Eyesight problems can make this issue worse, putting elderly people at a higher risk and in need of home care services.
Here at Caremark, we are dedicated to providing the best health and social care for the elderly. If you are concerned about yourself or a family member’s balance or other issues, contact our team. We will be happy to help and speak to you about the possible solutions we can provide.
