You can prevent falls by doing the right exercises, making your home safer, and getting regular health checkups.
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for seniors. Falls threaten seniors’ safety and independence and cause economic and personal costs. However, falling is not an inevitable result of aging. Through lifestyle adjustments, falls prevention programs, and clinical-community partnerships, the number of falls among seniors can be reduced.
How to reduce your risk of falling:
- Get a fall risk assessment: Talk with your doctor about your fall risk.
- Review your medications: Take your medications, vitamins, and supplements to your pharmacist or health professional once a year and when there are changes in your health. Ask about side effects and interactions, especially if you take 4 or more medications.
- Have your vision checked: Have your vision and eyeglass prescriptions checked every year by an eye doctor.
- Engage in regular physical activity: Ask your doctor about the best types of activities for you. Doing strength and balance exercises using your lower body can improve your balance and coordination, improve strength, and reduce your risk of falling.
- Assess your home and make safety changes: Use a home safety checklist or talk with a professional to review things inside your home that can cause falls. Change your home to make it safer- reduce clutter; improve lighting in rooms, hallways, and stairwells; and install handrails and grab bars.
