A common worry among baby boomers – those between 61 and 79 – is losing independence as they age.
One of their biggest fears: Having to leave home because they can no longer take care of themselves.
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among people 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It reported 1,442 fall-related deaths in North Carolina in 2021.
Broken hips are among the most serious injuries, because they are hard to recover from and make living on your own much less likely. Most seniors aren’t eager to relocate to assisted living. So the better you take care of your health, the better the chances of staying active and living where you want.
Active seniors are most vulnerable to falls and fractures because bones weaken over time. Those who play pickleball, for example, should focus on improving balance by regularly warming up and stretching, and keeping current with osteoporosis screenings.
Most seniors aren't eager to relocate to a retirement center, or assisted living. So the better you take care of your health, the better the chances of staying active, living where you want, enjoying your time traveling, being with family and doing the things you love doing.
Most adults older than 60 suffer from at least one chronic health condition, the National Council on Aging reports. Almost half struggle with obesity, which can lead to a higher risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S.
“The biggest dangers of becoming too sedentary is that your muscles become deconditioned in both strength and flexibility. You are also at risk for a rapid decline in your cardiovascular fitness, which could make you short of breath doing even simple tasks,” said Meghan McKee, a Novant Health physical therapist. “The more that you sit, and the more that you don’t move your body, the quicker you lose it.”
But, she added: “There are many things you can do to maintain your independence and quality of life. The most important thing is staying active. You can go for walks, do exercises around the house or join a gym.”
McKee said there are warning signals that trouble could be looming:
- Reaching for furniture to maintain balance as you’re walking around the house.
- Tripping on rugs or other edges.
- Feeling off-balance or find it challenging getting up from a seated position.
“It’s really important to maintain you strength, flexibility and balance as you get older,” she said. “There are a lot of simple exercises you can do around your house. If you don’t know what to do or don’t feel comfortable starting an exercise program on your own, speak with your primary care physician about obtaining a referral for physical therapy. It is our job to evaluate you and teach you what you can do at home to maintain your health, physical fitness and overall independence.”
The video below shows simple exercises you can do at home to help protect yourself from physical decline and maintain your daily activities. Consider sharing with someone who could benefit.
