Falls can happen anywhere and at anytime, especially in older adults. In fact, statistics show that roughly 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65 suffer a fall each year. Sometimes these falls are minor and don’t result in injuries, but others can be severe and result in major pain and a complete loss of independence. However, if you know what leaves a person susceptible to falls, you can take some steps to lower your risk of a fall. We explore some fall prevention tips below.
Common Fall Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in people age 65 and older. Some common injuries suffered during falls include:
- Head injuries and TBIs
- Shoulder and forearm injuries
- Spine fractures
- Pelvic and hip fractures
- Ankle fractures
Aside from the acute injury, falls can have a number of related negative consequences, like hospitalization, decreased mobility, loss of independence and even the need to relocate to a nursing or residential facility. Most people think falls are caused by tripping over an object or missing a step, but a lot of different factors can contribute to falls, like balance problems, gait abnormalities, health conditions that affect balance, or side effects of medications.
Preventing Falls and Fall Injuries
Preventing falls comes down to knowing what places you at risk for a fall injury and making positive lifestyle changes to reduce that risk. Some ways you can reduce your fall risk include:
- Partaking in balance training or foot strengthening exercises.
- Finding some low-impact activities that improve your balance and foot muscle strength, like yoga or tai chi.
- Getting plenty of healthy vitamins and nutrients in your diet, and staying hydrated, as this will help you maintain strength and energy for everyday activities.
- Limit alcohol intake and smoking, as this can lead to unsteadiness and decreased bone strength.
- Talk to your doctor about any foot conditions or symptoms like numbness or decreased sensation, because they can inhibit healthy movement.
- Consider having a home assessment performed by an occupational therapist or another professional to look for potential hazards and to recommend changes.
- Use adaptive movement devices, like lifts, walkers or grab handles throughout your home to prevent falls.
- Get an annual eye exam and physical.
- Learn how your medicine affects you and adjust your physical activity as needed.
- Wear proper fitting, non-skid shoes.
For more information on how you can prevent falls in the home, reach out to Dr. Silverman today.