Why Balance Matters.
Physical balance is crucial for many aspects of our lives. For older adults, balance issues can significantly impact their quality of life and independence.
Some of the key challenges associated with balance issues include:
- Increased Fall Risk: This is the most significant concern. Falls can lead to serious injuries like hip fractures, head trauma, and loss of mobility. The fear of falling can also limit activities and social participation.
- Loss of Independence: Difficulty with balance can make everyday tasks challenging, such as:
- Walking: Navigating uneven surfaces, climbing stairs, and maintaining a steady gait.
- Transferring: Getting in and out of chairs, beds, and the bathtub.
- Reaching: Reaching for objects on shelves or overhead.
- Maintaining Posture: Standing upright and avoiding slouching.
- Reduced Mobility: Balance problems can lead to decreased mobility and a more sedentary lifestyle, which can have negative impacts on overall health.
- Social Isolation: Fear of falling can lead to social isolation as individuals avoid outings and social activities.
- Psychological Impact: The fear of falling can cause anxiety and depression, further impacting quality of life.
Fall Facts - A Global Issue
Each year, millions of seniors—those 65 and older—fall, and more than one out of four older people falls each year.
Falling once doubles a senior’s chances of falling again.
Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.
Each year at least 300,000 seniors are hospitalized for hip fractures.
More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling, usually falling sideways.
In 2015, the total medical costs for falls totaled more than $50 billion.
About 36 million seniors fall each year—resulting in more than 32,000 deaths.
About 40% of all seniors’ housing admissions are the result of falls.
Falls are the cause of 95% of seniors’ hip fractures, and over 20% of the elderly who suffer hip fractures die within the next twelve months.
The great majority of elderly falls are preventable through proper balance and strength training.
Each year about $50 billion is spent on medical costs related to non-fatal fall injuries. $754 million is spent related to fatal falls.
In Canada, falls are a significant health concern for older adults, with serious consequences which can include injuries, reduced mobility, and even death. Women are more likely to fall then men.
Causes are varied:
- Physical changes: Declines in balance, muscle strength, vision, and reaction time.
- Medical conditions: Arthritis, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and cardiovascular problems.
- Medications: Side effects of certain medications can increase the risk of falls.
- Environmental factors: Poor lighting, tripping hazards, and slippery surfaces.
Balance and stability training in seniors, older adults, rehabilitation patients, and in special needs athletes helps to prevent falls, ensures the safety of individuals and their surroundings, and can maintain mobile independence for optimum quality of life.
Falls Prevention
Approximately 30% of people over 65 years of age living in the community fall each year.
Falls in care facilities and hospitals are common events that cause considerable morbidity and mortality for older adults. In addition, falls impose a significant social and economic burden for individuals, their families, community health services and the economy as well.
The HUR falls prevention concept helps the health care and rehabilitation professionals to provide the best practice of exercise as medicine based on the latest international preventive and treatment guidelines to regular weekly habitual physical activities and exercise training regimen.
A large body of evidence supports the recommendation that balance, strength, gait, and coordination training is effective in reducing falls, and therefore it should be included as part of a multi-component intervention to prevent falls in older persons and may be considered as a single intervention. In most scientific trials, the exercise program has been longer than 12 weeks (1–3 times per week) with variable intensity.
HUR Balance Technology for Stronger Fall Prevention Programs
The HUR SmartBalance testing and training solution makes it easier than ever for next-generation rehabilitation, senior living, and inclusive wellness providers to respond to healthcare’s increasingly results-driven demands.
HUR Balance Technology for Stronger Fall Prevention Programs
Balance Solutions
HUR SmartBalance
HUR SmartBalance is the perfect tool for assessing balance, accurately identifying users with a high risk for falling, and implementing results-based fall prevention and balance training programs.
HUR SmartBalance Advantages
- Comprehensive Assessment: It provides a thorough evaluation of balance capabilities using standardized tests like Romberg and Limits of Stability. This allows for accurate identification of individuals at high risk of falls.
- Personalized Training: Based on the assessment results, the system generates customized training programs tailored to individual needs and goals.
- Interactive Training: The system incorporates engaging games and exercises that make balance training more enjoyable and motivating.
- Progress Tracking: It allows for easy tracking of progress over time, providing valuable feedback and motivation for users.
- Data-Driven Approach: The system collects and analyzes data to provide objective insights into balance performance and the effectiveness of training interventions.
HUR Canada Delivers Value Beyond Balance Equipment
How Can We Help?
We’re always happy to help. Our in-house team of product specialists are here to share their knowledge, answer your questions and point you in the right direction.