Fall Prevention
The CDC reports that one out of five falls causes serious injury. Serious injuries include broken bones and traumatic brain injuries with lasting effects and risk of death. With the National Council on Aging noting that one out of four older adults falls each year, it’s vital to educate yourself on the risks of falling and steps you can take to prevent falls.
Risk Factors for Falling
Some conditions increase the likelihood of falling. Taking certain medications, like sedatives, lack of exercise or balance, vitamin D deficiencies, trip hazards and more are all falling risks. Speaking with a geriatric doctor can help you and your loved ones assess your risk of falling and take steps to make you safer and help you live with less worry.
Prevention Tips
The earlier you understand the risk factors for falling, the sooner you can take action to decrease your odds of suffering a serious injury.
Exercise
Some people worry that physical activity will put them at a higher level of risk for falls. The reality is that muscle strength is one of your best weapons against falls. Even though mobility and muscle retention decreases with age, strength training and exercise can help you maintain flexibility, balance, and muscle strength that can help you stay on your feet.
Vision
Poor vision can make it harder to judge how you should interact with your surroundings. If your eyesight is getting worse, you may find yourself tripping more on stairs, or misjudging the distance between yourself and objects around you.
Maintaining routine eye exams is critical to keeping an independent, safe lifestyle. Heart City Health is not home to an optometrist, but we’re happy to recommend one for you during your visit.
Home Improvements
Simple adjustments to your home can reduce your risk of suffering a fall. As you or your parents/loved ones age, conduct an in-home audit of the safety of your living space.
A few improvements may include:
- Increased lighting for maximum visibility
- Adding non-slip mats to a bathtub or shower
- Installing grab bars in bathrooms
- Putting stair handrails on both sides of the stairs
- Moving as much as possible (bedroom, laundry) to the main floor to reduce stair use
- Cleaning up clutter and removing things that are easy to trip on
More drastic measures, like replacing your bathtub or shower with a no-step accessible bathtub or shower.
Take the Next Step in Fall Prevention
Maintaining your independence means taking steps now to reduce your risk of a serious injury. Heart City Health is dedicated to our adult and geriatric patients and caretakers of older adults. Talk to your doctor about your living area and lifestyle for more suggestions for safety and fall prevention.