Tripping or losing balance is a natural occurrence that can happen at any point in life. But as we age or experience changes in our abilities, the likelihood of falls increases – as do the health risks. Here are a few ways you can reduce your overall fall risk for safer and more confident living.
Make your home fall-safe
Over half of all falls take place at home, according to the National Council On Aging. Simple hazards, like clutter and throw rugs, can be fixed by clearing the way. But other hazards like poor lighting and stairs may require making minor home modifications. Adding grab bars in the bathroom, a handrail on the stairs, and swapping your dull light bulbs for brighter ones are just a few ways to help make your home fall-safe. Depending on your abilities, you may need home modifications that are more specific to your needs, which can be expensive. Find out about local resources that can help with Paying for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications.
Check your eyes
Eye or vision issues can impact your ability to safely move around your community and your home. In fact, according to the National Council on Aging, people with vision problems are more than twice as likely to fall as those without visual impairment. Some changes with our eyes naturally occur with age, and some issues are symptoms of vision impairments like glaucoma and cataracts. Either way, it is important to have your eyes checked regularly (at least once a year) to catch and treat problems before they create serious issues in your daily life. Check out our blog about Protecting Vision While Aging for more tips to keep your eyes healthy.
Stay active
Physical activities, especially those that improve balance and coordination, are an effective way to prevent the likelihood of falls. Such exercises include walking, yoga, or dancing. Staying active also helps reduce the chances of an injury in case you do fall. Due to physical challenges, people with disabilities and older adults may be less likely to build and maintain bone mass, which can make the impact of falling much more serious and painful. According to the CT Department of Public Health, more than 43% of fall-related hospital visits from older adults also included a hip fracture. Exercise helps build strong muscles and bones, so your body will be able to better handle the impact of a fall.
Beware of medication side effects
Chronic conditions, such as arthritis or osteoporosis, may affect your mobility and increase the likelihood of falls. Your doctor may prescribe medications to treat or manage these conditions, but even those prescriptions can have side effects (e.g., dizziness, aches, blurred vision) or interactions that add to your overall fall risk. Review your medications and their effects with your doctor who may suggest a safer alternative, or advice on the safest way to take your medicine. Even certain over-the-counter medications, like those used to help with allergies or sleep, may cause side effects that increase the likelihood of falls. Read the medicine’s packaging for information about possible side effects. If you are still unsure about taking a particular over-the-counter medication, speak with your doctor first.
Falls, with or without injury, may also affect your quality of life. The fear of falling causes many older adults and people with disabilities to limit activities and social engagements, which can impact one’s physical and mental health. A Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) is a wearable electronic device that can help improve your feeling of security by quickly contacting emergency services in case you are alone during a fall. It is also a good idea to give a friend or family member you trust an extra key to get in your home so they can come help or check on you.
For more information and resources on fall prevention, please visit My Place CT’s webpage on Preventing Falls.
