Get Active and Stand Strong

Kids fall down and get back up dozens of times every day. They usually even laugh about it. With age, the consequences of falling down can be more serious and the recovery more time-consuming. By eating a healthy diet and staying physically active, you can gain strength, and increase flexibility and mobility. Before you know it, you’ll be standing strong and steady, and picking up those grandkids when they fall down.

Falls among older adults are most often caused by medications that cause dizziness, vision problems and slips in the home. You should work with your doctors to confirm that your eyesight and medications aren’t risk factors and make sure your home is uncluttered, rugs are secured, handrails are sturdy, and the lighting is good.

Most importantly, you should eat right and exercise so you are strong and healthy.

Exercise can help reduce your risk of falling by:

improving balance and strength
decreasing your need for medication that affects your balance
increasing confidence needed to live an active lifestyle

Exercise can also help make your bones stronger so they’re less likely to break if you fall and heal faster if they do break.

Living an active, healthy lifestyle can make you feel confident, strong and independent. SilverSneakers includes access to more than 15,000 locations, indoor and outdoor group fitness classes and much more, and is free for members of The Health Plan who are enrolled in one of our Medicare Advantage plans.

If you haven’t already, start using your SilverSneakers benefit now. Getting started is quick and easy: Go to SilverSneakers.com/StartHere to get your SilverSneakers ID number and find the participating locations that are right for you. Then go get active for your best health.

Note: Equipment, amenities, and classes at each SilverSneakers location may vary. For questions about SilverSneakers and your eligibility as a member of The Health Plan, call 1.877.847.7907, TTY: 711. Our hours of operation are October 1 through March 31: 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week and April 1 through September 30: 8 am to 8 pm, Monday through Friday.632 (TTY: 71), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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