BUILD YOUR BALANCE

You can use an action plan during this session to write down tasks

to complete later

What does balance feel like?

What does feeling unbalanced feel like?

Activity 1 – Part 1

Prior to completing this activity please consider your ability to balance

1. Stand up

2. Place your feet shoulder width apart

3. Slightly lean to the left and right

Activity – Part 2

Please only complete this option if you completed the previous activity with ease as this activity further challenges your balance.

1. Place feet together

2. Slightly lean to the left

and the right

Why is balance important?

Do you need balance to stand up from a chair?

Do you need balance when bending over to tie your shoe?

Do you need balance when reaching for something?

All of these everyday

activities include balance

What is the difference between a trip and a fall?

What do you think can affect balance?

• Inner ear infections and other issues• Low Blood pressure• Light headedness• Eyesight problems• Medicines• Foot problems and poorly fitting footwear• Hazards in the home• Muscle weakness

Factors affecting balance

What can you do to reduce these factors?

Who can help?

Factors affecting balance

Risk Factor Who can help

Inner ear infections and other issues GP

Physiotherapist

Low Blood pressure GP

Light headedness GP

Eyesight problems Optometrist

Ophthalmologist (Eye Specialist

Medicines GP

Pharmacist

Foot problems and poorly fitting footwear

Podiatrist

GP

Hazards in the home Occupational Therapist

Muscle weakness Physiotherapist

Exercise Physiologist

GP

Action Plan

What activities and exercise do you enjoy participating in?

How often do you do them?

Please see an appropriate health professional if you have any concerns before commencing these activities. Remember to start slowly and stop straight away if you feel pain when performing these activities.

Consider the risks and be cautious

Who has learnt something today that they would like to

put into their life?

• Your balance is important to help you complete your everyday activities safely.

• Your balance declines as you get older but it doesn’t have to.• Improving your balance is the best way to prevent falls.• Try for two hours of balance exercises every week (or 20 minutes

every day)

Key messages

Thank you for attending