Aids that help keep you steady
SUNDAY marks the start of Balance Awareness Week, when keeping steady on your feet comes into focus.
More than 80 per cent of people aged 65 years and older have experienced dizziness.
Balance problems, which are often associated with inner ear disorders, can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to perform daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, or simply getting around the home.
According to Age UK, every year around one-third of people aged over 65 will fall, whether because of balance issues that need to be addressed by a GP, or more general mobility problems.
Falls account for more than four million hospital bed days each year in England alone. They can destroy confidence, increase isolation and reduce independence.
A report by Arthritis Research UK shows that aids and adapta- tions can help — with 79 per cent of respondents saying such items as stairlifts and walk-in showers improve their ability to remain independent, helping them avoid falls and injury.
With 95 per cent of people who use aids and adaptations finding they have a positive effect on their quality of life, it’s important not to miss out.