FOR FAMILIES · HELPING A PARENT STAY STEADY
Balance Problems in Elderly Parents: How to Help
If your mom or dad has started to stumble, fall or do less, here is what balance problems in elderly parents usually come from, what to do first, and how online physical therapy helps from their own home.
Rather talk it through? Call (218) 321-0977.
- No referral needed
- HSA/FSA accepted
- Visits by video from their home
Are you noticing any of these?
- Stumbling or catching a foot more often
- Holding onto furniture or walls to get around
- A recent fall, even a small one
- Avoiding stairs, walks or going out
- Taking longer to get up from a chair
- Saying they're worried about falling
Any one of these is worth a conversation. They are also the things physical therapy works on.
Start with a 30-second test, together
The 30-second chair stand is one of the screening tests in the CDC’s STEADI program for older adults. Your parent counts how many times they can stand up from a chair, without using their arms, in 30 seconds.
You can do it with them in person or on a video call. Our page shows how to do it safely and what the number means, and it gives you both something concrete to talk about.
What causes balance problems in older adults?
Balance problems in elderly adults usually have more than one cause. Common contributors are weaker legs and hips, slower reactions, changes in the inner ear or vision, numbness in the feet, some medications, and blood pressure that drops when standing up.
A doctor checks the medical causes, such as medications, blood pressure, vision and the inner ear. A physical therapist works on the parts that can be trained: strength, balance, walking and getting up and down with confidence. About one in four adults 65 and older report a fall each year, and falls are the leading cause of injury in that age group (CDC).
Call 911 if balance is lost suddenly together with face drooping, arm or leg weakness, trouble speaking, or a sudden severe headache. After any fall, have a doctor check for injuries before starting exercise.
What we help with
Balance and fall risk
Unsteadiness, a recent fall, or a fear of falling that has them doing less.
Getting up and moving with confidence
Out of a chair, off the floor, in and out of the car, up and down stairs.
After surgery or a fracture
Once their surgeon or doctor has cleared them for therapy.
How it works when you're helping a parent
You don’t have to live nearby. Your parent does the visits by video from their home, where their balance matters. You can help set up the first call, and if you’re there, you’re welcome to sit in. Your parent needs to be in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota or Wisconsin for their visits.
Step 1
Free 15-minute consult
Book it together. Your parent talks about what’s going on and what they want to get back to.
Step 2
Body Assessment
The physical therapist watches your parent stand, walk, get up from a chair and balance, at home.
Step 3
Their playlist
A short daily set of exercise videos, chosen for their home: a counter to hold, a sturdy chair, a hallway.
Step 4
Check-ins
Short video visits to adjust the plan as they get stronger.
Looking for yourself?
If you’re the one who wants to get steadier and stronger, start on our page for adults 60 and older.
Families like yours
Stories from motivPT patients over 60.
Read more
Questions families ask
My mom keeps falling. What should we do first?
Have her doctor check for injuries and medical causes, including her medications, blood pressure and vision. Then work on strength and balance. The 30-second test is a simple place to start together.
What causes balance problems in elderly adults?
Usually more than one thing: weaker legs and hips, slower reactions, inner ear or vision changes, numbness in the feet, some medications, or blood pressure that drops on standing. A doctor checks the medical causes; a physical therapist trains strength and balance.
When is a balance problem an emergency?
Call 911 if balance is lost suddenly together with face drooping, arm or leg weakness, trouble speaking, or a sudden severe headache.
Can I book for my parent?
You can book the free consult together and be there for it. Your parent needs to agree to the care and do the visits themselves.
My parent isn't good with technology. Will this work?
If they can answer a video call on a phone, tablet or computer, they can do this. You can help set up the first call.
Where does my parent need to live?
Your parent needs to be in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota or Wisconsin for their visits. You can be anywhere.
Do they need a referral?
No referral is needed. Start with a free 15-minute consult.
Does Medicare cover this?
Coverage depends on the plan. Ask us at the free 15-minute consult. motivPT accepts HSA and FSA cards.
Take the first step together
Do the 30-second test with your parent, then book a free 15-minute consult.
Seeing patients in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.