September is Balance Awareness Month, making it a great time to pay attention to something that’s easy to overlook until it changes: balance.
For many older adults, changes happen gradually. Maybe getting out of a chair takes a little more effort, stairs feel less steady than they used to, or a loved one starts reaching for furniture while walking through the house. These small changes don’t always mean something is wrong, but they are worth paying attention to because they can increase the risk of falls over time.
At CareAparent, supporting safety and independence at home can involve different types of care depending on what someone needs. Skilled home health services, such as Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy, may help address balance, mobility, and everyday activities. Personal care can provide additional support with daily routines, including help from a Home Health Aide with bathing, personal care, and safe ambulation and mobility around the home.
Small Changes Can Be Easy to Miss
Balance rarely changes overnight. More often, it’s a series of small moments that add up over time.
You might notice a loved one:
- Holding onto walls, railings, or furniture while walking
- Taking stairs more slowly than they used to
- Feeling unsteady getting in or out of bed
- Needing extra time to stand up from a chair
- Becoming less confident walking on uneven surfaces
- Avoiding activities they once enjoyed because they don’t feel as steady
- Feeling nervous or hesitant about showering because of concerns about slipping or falling
Noticing one of these changes doesn’t necessarily mean additional care is needed. It may just be a reason to start a conversation with your loved one and their physician about what they are experiencing and whether additional support could be helpful.
Simple Ways to Make the Home Safer
There are also practical changes families can make to help create a safer environment for everyday movement. Some helpful steps include:
- Keeping walkways free of clutter and loose cords
- Removing or securing area rugs that could slip
- Adding grab bars in bathrooms where appropriate and talking with a professional to make sure they’re installed safely
- Making sure stairways and hallways are well lit
- Wearing supportive, non-slip footwear indoors
- Scheduling regular vision and medication reviews with healthcare providers
- Monitoring medication changes and food and water intake
Every home and every person is different. Rather than trying to eliminate every possible risk, the focus can be on helping someone move through their home as safely and confidently as possible while maintaining their independence.
When More Support at Home May Help
Sometimes home modifications aren’t enough. If balance or mobility begins making everyday activities more difficult, a physician may recommend additional support based on the individual’s needs.
CareAparent offers both skilled home health services and personal care, which can support different needs related to safety and independence at home. Depending on the individual’s care plan, that may include:
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy at home can address strength, mobility, and balance. A physical therapist can also provide exercises and recommendations based on how someone moves through their own home.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy can help make everyday activities safer and easier. This may include recommendations related to bathing, dressing, preparing meals, or moving throughout the home, as well as equipment or home modifications that support independence.
Skilled Nursing
When clinical support is part of someone’s care plan, skilled nursing may also play a role. CareAparent’s RNs and LPNs can help monitor and manage physical conditions while coordinating with the individual’s physician and Care Team. They can also monitor medications and communicate any concerns or changes that may affect balance, mobility, or fall risk.
Personal Care
For individuals who need help with daily routines, personal care provides a different type of support. A Home Health Aide may assist with bathing, dressing, grooming, and mobility while supporting safe movement and independence at home.
Learn more about CareAparent’s Home Health services and how different types of care can work together to support needs at home.
Support That Can Change With You
One of the benefits of CareAparent’s continuum of care is that different types of support can work together as part of one connected care plan. Balance and mobility may be the initial concern, but someone’s needs can change over time.
A person may begin with therapy focused on strength or mobility and later need additional help with personal care. Someone already receiving daily support may develop a need for skilled nursing or therapy. CareAparent’s nurses, therapists, Home Health Aides, and other members of the Care Team communicate as appropriate so that care can continue to reflect the individual’s needs and care plan.
That coordinated approach helps keep the focus on the same goal: supporting safety, independence, and quality of life at home.
Taking the First Step
If you’ve noticed changes in a loved one’s balance or mobility, asking questions can be a helpful place to start. Learning what’s available doesn’t mean committing to care right away. Sometimes, it simply gives families peace of mind and a better understanding of their options.
CareAparent provides coordinated, full-spectrum home-based care for individuals and families throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the Twin Cities. Our team is always here to answer your questions about Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, personal care, and other services that may support safety and independence at home.
Visit our Services page to learn more CareAparent’s care options and reach out to our team with any questions.