5 Ways To Help A Loved One With Dizziness And Imbalance

Dizziness and imbalance affect over 70% of people aged 65 and over, with many people suffering a fainting or nausea sensation, or even a fall several times a day.

Age-related dizziness is not a condition, however, it’s a symptom, and is almost always related to a wider issue in the ear.

The good news is that the cause of it can be treated, or at least helped.

If you have a loved one regularly suffering from dizziness and imbalance, there are things you can do to help them day-to-day, which we’ll express in this article.

But first…

WHAT’S THE CAUSE OF DIZZINESS & IMBALANCE?

The inner ear is complex and delicate. There are tiny organs inside them that work together to help us stay balanced when we move around.

Understandably, as we age, or if we damage our ears, these delicate organs can stop working properly, causing dizziness and imbalance.

SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

Here are 5 ways you can massively help a loved one navigate their way through this uncomfortable sensation they’re experiencing.

1.Listen To Them

Firstly, listen to them. Understand when their dizziness and imbalance is at its worst; this could be when they are performing household chores, putting the groceries away, or even going up the stairs. Any practical chores you can do to alleviate the pressure on them would be hugely beneficial to them.

2. Upgrade The House

If you’ve noticed your loved one is unbalanced in certain areas of the home, such as the bathroom, hallway or kitchen, then you can install grab rails around these areas to help stabilize their movements.

3. De-clutter

One of the most inconvenient things for someone suffering with dizziness or imbalance is clutter, as, surprise surprise, it can be a trip-hazard. The best thing you can do is offer to help them de-clutter crowded areas so they’re no longer tripping on things, and you’re no longer worried about it.

4. Medical Alert Systems

If your loved one lives alone, then it’s understandable that you may be concerned you can’t always get to them if there’s a problem. Medical Alert Systems are a brilliant way to ensure someone who is prone to falls is never out of reach of help.

Here is a really handy guide of the best Medical Alert Systems in the USA compiled by Assisted Living Research Institute: a research organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults through useful information and practical guides.

5. Seek Medical Help

If you notice your loved one’s balance is getting worse, then it might be time for them to take a hearing test, which is the best way to identify and understand the route of the cause.

At Hearing At Home, we can help you with this, as we offer comprehensive hearing assessments.

If you’d like to book one on behalf of your loved one, you can do so here.