Sit Up Straight! Bad Posture Increases Risk of Nursing Home Admission

I have never really paid much attention to my posture. Occasionally, I have become aware of the fact that I am slouching in my chair at work or in the car but otherwise I feel reasonably good about my body alignment. New research is proving that sitting up straight could, in addition to other benefits, reduce my risk of ending up in a nursing home.

A study published in the Journals of Gerontology says that having poor posture can as much as quadruple a person's risk of ending up in a nursing home. Several different factors lead into this.

1. Poor posture leads to weak muscles and bones. As balance decreases during a normal aging process, the risk of being seriously injured in a fall greatly increases.
2. Poor posture limits our flexibility. A less flexible person is not able to exercise and maintain an active lifestyle. Seniors with active lifestyles typically have smoother, controlled movements and are therefore less likely to fall and end up in a nursing home.
3. Bad posture leads to pain. Weaker muscles caused by bad posture many times lead to pain in the neck, back or legs. Often times, aches and pains like these are determined by how we sit and prevent us from being able to perform tasks for ourselves.

All in all, posture is a circular conversation. Those with bad posture will find themselves less able to exercise and maintain an active lifestyle due to their weaker muscles. Those with weaker muscles will find it more difficult to maintain good body posture. And around we go.

All in all, bad posture is both the harbinger and cause of an increased risk of nursing home admissions. So sit up straight!