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Health News from DPI
Fall Prevention: Simple Tips
Fall prevention is an important topic. As we age, physical changes, health conditions and, sometimes, the medications taken to address health conditions can make falls more likely.
In fact, according to the CDC, falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults. Fear of falling doesn't need rule your life, instead consider some simple fall-prevention strategies.
1. Make an appointment with your doctor. Be prepared to answer questions such as:
- What medications are you taking?
- Have you fallen before?
- Have you almost fallen?
- Did any injuries result from a fall?
- Could your health conditions cause a fall?
2. Keep Moving: Physical activity can go a long way toward fall prevention. With your doctor's permission, consider activities such as walking, water aerobics, or tai chi.
3. Wear sensible shoes. High heels, slippers, and shoes with slick soles can make you slip, trip, stumble, and fall. Wear properly fitting, sturdy shoes with nonskid soles.
4. Remove home hazards. To make your home safer:
- Remove boxes, newspapers, electrical cords and phone cords from walkways.
- Move coffee tables, magazine racks, and plants from high traffic areas,
- Secure loose rugs with double-faced tape, tacks or a slip resistant backing - or remove loose ruts from you home.
- Store clothing, dishes food, and other necessities within easy reach.
- Immediately clean spilled liquids, grease, or food.
- Use nonslip mats in your bathtub or shower.
- Use a bath seat, which allows you to sit while showering.
While slips and falls cannot always be avoided, you can do a great deal to prevent them from happening and safeguard your health.
Source: Mayo Clinic, Healthy aging
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