Why Is Poor Balance Common as We Age?

As we grow older, many people notice a decline in balance, which can increase the risk of falls. This happens due to several factors that affect the body’s ability to remain stable. Below, we list the most common reasons why balance tends to worsen with age.

1. Decreased Muscle Strength

One of the primary reasons for poor balance in older adults is the loss of muscle strength. As we age, muscle mass naturally decreases, making it harder to keep the body stable and react quickly to imbalances. Weaker leg and core muscles also make it more difficult to adjust posture in response to small shifts in balance.

2. Reduced Joint Flexibility and Mobility

Joint flexibility decreases with age, impacting the body’s agility. Stiffness in the hips, knees, and ankles can make it harder to move freely and quickly adjust the body when balance is lost, negatively affecting overall stability.

3. Changes in the Nervous System

Balance is largely controlled by the nervous system. As we age, changes in the way nerve signals travel between the brain and body occur, slowing down coordination and reaction time. This delay makes it harder to maintain balance and recover from slips.

4. Impaired Vision and Sensation

Vision plays a crucial role in balance. As eyesight deteriorates with age, it becomes more difficult to judge distances, obstacles, and surface conditions, which can lead to instability. Additionally, reduced sensation in the feet makes it harder for the body to detect changes in the ground, increasing the risk of imbalance.

5. Medications and Health Issues

Many older adults take medications that may have side effects impacting balance, such as dizziness or fatigue. Health conditions like diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular diseases also negatively affect balance by impairing the nervous system, muscle strength, and joint mobility.

Safety alarm with automatic fall alarm can increase safety for people with an increased risk of falling

Sensorem’s safety alarm is an example of a technical aid specially developed for people who have an increased risk of falling. The security alarm can automatically sound the alarm in the event of a fall and then call relatives using the watch’s built-in speakerphone with two-way communication. The security alarm works outdoors and has built-in GPS positioning so that relatives can see the user’s position on a map in the Sensorem app.