Final answer:
The center of gravity for an elderly person is typically located at the hips and pelvis area, which is important for maintaining stability while ambulating.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assisting an 82-year-old client to ambulate, it is important for the nurse to realize that the center of gravity for an elderly person typically is the hips and pelvis area. The center of gravity in adults is located above the hip joints, which serve as one of the main pivots in the body. It lies between two narrowly-separated feet, providing stability in relation to sideways displacements. Although humans are less stable relative to forward and backward displacements due to the shorter length of the feet, muscles help maintain balance in the front-to-back direction. As individuals age, the stability can decrease due to various factors, such as reduced muscle strength or flexibility.