Tai chi, the ancient Chinese practice of a series of graceful movements, is a way to move your body in a slow, focused flow between different postures. This engages your body in perpetual motion, keeps your brain in the current moment, and consequently challenges your balance. The beauty of tai chi is that its effectiveness also comes from the lateral movements, and not just forward and backward motions. In a 2018 study conducted by medical researchers in Oregon, a modified senior-centered tai chi program (which included only 8 flow moves, as opposed to the 100 motions of traditional tai chi) educed falls by almost 30 percent, proving it is a better fitness method for the elderly than other strength and balance drills for the elderly. This is important information, as approximately 28 percent of U.S. seniors report falling each year. What’s more, 2 out of 5 falls result in injuries leading to an ER visit, hospitalization or death. As a result of a bad fall, your special senior could experience a loss of independence as well as a spike in health care costs. Once your senior is in pain and experiencing compromised mobility, their morale is likely to sharply decline. In other words, mobile, independent seniors are usually happier seniors. A senior who has been practicing tai chi regularly may notice that if they are in a real-life situation where their balance is challenged, they may engage their tai chi skills and counteract gravity and regain their footing. Perhaps, the best side effect of a modified tai-chi program is increased confidence in your senior. To find a modified tai chi class that suits your senior, conduct some online research and make some phone inquiries. Best case scenario is that your senior gets out of the house a few days a week and makes some new exercise pals.