Children run, fall, get up and keep going. For seniors, things may not be so simple. As we get older, it can be a challenge to maintain our balance. Slight missteps and we tumble. And because older bones are frail compared to a child's, the likelihood of a break is greater.

Balance requires the cooperative interaction of the brain, nervous system, muscles and bones to help keep us from falling. When all systems are in synch, we can rise from a chair, navigate stairs and inclines and take a walk on uneven terrain.

Every year, some 300,000 elders fall, often leading to broken bones, surgery, and even death. Injuries following a fall may include hip, spine and wrist fractures and head trauma. But falls can be prevented!

Why seniors are more susceptible to falls ...

• Vision acuity diminishes
• Muscular strength declines, leaving hips and legs weakened
• Postural issues that may include a curved spine or spinal degeneration
• Reaction time is reduced
• Light-headedness is common
• Certain drugs and interactions may induce imbalance

Balance exercises are an important preventative measure. They are generally easy, low-stress, and fun! And they don't require a gym membership or special equipment. Just a willing spirit and a chair or table and you can build lower extremity (or leg) muscle strength and improve your vestibular system, the organ associated with balance perception.

You can find easy exercises online that you can do at home. Or you can enroll in a balance class at a gym. Better still, come to Air Force Village, where balance exercises are a regular part of the many Life Enrichment classes available to all residents. And here, you can "balance" in community, with friends ... just another way to enjoy life at AFV.

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