[CaptArmchair]

Balance issues usually are a symptom of an underlying condition.

For instance, an elderly relative of mine has had several strokes. While they have regular PT sessions, it's basically impossible for them to automate countering balancing issues. Neurological specialists and therapists essentially agreed: that relative isn't going to walk a significant distance, especially outdoors, without a walker as the risk to falling is just too high. Their home (e.g. bathroom, stairs,...) has also been adapted to prevent falls.

In that regard, minding your health at a younger age pays dividends later on as it reduces to risks of landing a condition that might lead to a nasty fall.

[jasfi]

That can be the case, but there are also other causes.

Here's a study looking at some numbers: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10242407/

They found that in 2016 about 36.8 (± 1.0) million people had balance problems in the US.

Also, many people don't know they have these problems.