Falls can be life changing, even life threatening, for seniors: They are the leading cause of injury death among adults aged 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fortunately, falls can often be prevented. Our Fall Prevention Checklist can help make your aging loved one’s home or apartment safer, and these doctor-recommended exercises can build the strength, balance and flexibility necessary to make falls less likely.

Place a sturdy chair in front of a countertop and sit toward the front of the seat.

Lean your chest forward and engage buttocks as you slowly rise to standing.

Slowly sit back down. Repeat 10 times.

Use hands for help only if needed, working toward not using hands at all.

Click here to see a video demonstration of this exercise.

Hold on to the back of a chair.

Stand with knees bent slightly and back straight.

Raise onto your tiptoes as high as possible, then lower.

Repeat 10 to 15 times.

Sit in a sturdy chair.

Slowly extend one leg straight in front of you without locking knee.

Flex foot, pointing toes toward the ceiling, and hold one second.

Lower and repeat 10 to 15 times per leg.

Stand in a corner or at a kitchen counter with a helper in case you lose your balance.

Place feet shoulder-width apart and stand steady, eyes open, for 10 seconds. Work up to 30 seconds of standing this way with minimal swaying, then move on to the next exercise.

Place feet together and stand steadily with eyes open for 10 seconds, working up to 30 seconds. Once you’ve mastered this, move on to the next exercise.

Stand on one foot with eyes open for 10 seconds, working up to 30 seconds. Repeat on other foot.

If you can safely do the above exercises with little support, try doing each with eyes closed.

Work up to doing each exercise five times for 30 seconds, twice a day.

Click here to see a video demonstration of this exercise.

Contemplating the next chapter in your loved one’s story? Click here to learn more about Bickford Senior Living and to find a branch near you.