Poor balance and the fear of falling as well as pain with movement are the most common reasons elderly people don't move a lot. They may have a routine of getting up, fed, and groomed and then spending the day in a chair watching TV. Then they'll eat dinner and go to bed.

There are a lot of exercises that even bedbound patients can do (see Chapter 6), and anyone who is fearful of falling can do these from the chair. Pain should not be a reason to avoid movement. Lack of movement can cause stiffness and even more pain, especially if arthritis is the underlying cause. If pain is keeping your parents and in-laws from being active, talk with the PCP about pain management.

Movement and exercise can help improve balance issues and mental outlook. Using appropriate assistive devices such as walkers and canes can help increase confidence and reduce fears. Poor balance can also be due to such factors as a build up of ear wax or inner-ear infections or disturbances. This issue should be evaluated by the PCP.