Tips To Reduce the Risk of Falling
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Founding Father Benjamin Franklin got it right, especially when considering elderly falls. As we age, the risks associated with falls are exponentially higher, as simple falls can quickly escalate into life-threatening injuries. According to the CDC, falls among adults 65 and older is the leading cause of injury death, causing over 38,000 deaths in 2021 alone.
What can you do as a senior or caregiver to reduce fall risks?
You can’t completely stop all falls from happening, but you can mitigate the risks. Start by considering what a senior can do to lower their fall risk personally, then move out into their surroundings. In other words, start with the person, then evaluate their common areas and finally their wider environment.
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Be mindful of changes
As seniors age, muscles weaken. Vision blurs. New medications can cause dizziness. Certain conditions like diabetes and low blood pressure can put seniors at a higher risk for falls. Unexpected cramps or chronic pain flare-ups can cause knees to buckle. As a senior, you must speak up if changes occur. -
Get your checkups
Evaluate all your medications with your doctor annually and keep up with regular appointments like vision evaluations. -
Watch for hazards
As a caregiver or family member, keep seniors steady on their feet by paying close attention to any situation that could increase fall risks. -
Strengthen your body
The value of consistent exercise cannot be overstated. Flexibility and strength decrease as the decades pass. Yet, seniors can do something to make a difference. Swimming, yoga, tai chi, and strength training can improve balance. -
Steady your feet
Fall prevention doesn’t end with exercise. When was the last time you were fitted with proper shoes and a balance assist tool? Getting shoes, canes, and walkers properly fitted is an easy task that can lower fall risks. -
Evaluate your environment
Once you’ve addressed the person and the equipment, evaluate the environment. What can you do to address trouble spots? Consider simple fixes like clearing any walkways to ensure balance equipment can move through unobstructed, securing loose carpeting, and adding wall-mounted handrails to help with hazardous stair steps.
The best way for seniors to maintain independence is to actively prevent falls and increase mobility. Help your senior prevent falls with American-made products from Hold-Tight Handrails that are backed by a lifetime guarantee.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/falls/about/index.html
https://www.greatseniorliving.com/articles/elderly-falls
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/fall-prevention-exercises