Every other Wednesday, a group of senior citizens gather at the Shri Mangal Mandir Hindu temple to learn about a specific health topic.

o Human balance is a complex system, depending on vision, inner ear or vestibular function, information from muscle and joint receptors, muscle strength, and the ability to integrate information from all these inputs to tell the brain where the body is in space.
o Balance exercises are as important to the body as cardiovascular and strength training. They can be incorporated into your weekly exercise routine as you age to help prevent falls.
o Some ways to incorporate balance training include walking on uneven surfaces, doing Yoga or Tai Chi, or just keeping your balance as you close your eyes or turn your head. ***Not all balance exercises are safe for everyone, so speak with a physical therapist or other health provider if you have a history of falls or dizziness before trying these suggestions.
o You can reduce your risk of falls in your home by:
* Making sure you have good lighting and handrails on your stairwells both indoors and outdoors
* Putting in night lights along the path from your bedroom to your bathroom
* Moving objects you use frequently to a more accessible location such as a lower shelf in your cupboard to avoid going on tiptoes or bending down low
* Removing throw rugs or other slippery objects from the floor and installing grab bars in the bathroom
For more information about balance and fall prevention, the CDC website is a valuable resource. Click here for an overview of falls in older adults. Link for the overview of falls in older adults:

http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/adultfalls.html