Did you know that one in three senior citizens experience a fall each year?
Falls can occur for many different reasons. Perhaps it’s icy and slippery outside. Or maybe there is something in a person’s walkway that causes them to trip. Another cause of a fall could be declining vision or balance issues. However, no matter what the cause, the result can be the same – a hip fracture, head trauma, or worse.
There are many simple things you can do to decrease the chance of a fall.
For starters, make sure you to visit your optometrist on a regular basis. Having your eyes checked yearly to make sure your eyeglass prescription is current can be one of the easiest things you can do to prevent a fall.
One of the best things you can do to reduce falls is to make sure the walkways in your house are clear. Move any plants, decorations, or any clutter that may get in your way. And don’t be afraid to ask your company to keep things off for the floors to avoid tripping. This is especially important if you are experiencing visions problems or loss of visions.
Something else you can do to help prevent a fall is to remain as physically active as possible. Simple exercise such as walking, yoga, lifting light weights and walling in a pool are ideal because of the benefits they provide: improving balance, increasing strength, and maintaining both flexibility and coordination.
Another important thing you can do to decrease the chances of a fall is to review your medications and dosages. This includes both prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. If any of the medications you take can cause dizziness or fatigue talk to your doctor about your concerns.
One simple thing you can do is to wear properly fitting shoes, with skid-free soles. You may also want to avoid high-heeled shoes or walking in socks or stockings without shoes, especially on hard floors.
When it comes to falls, prevention is always the best option. However, sometimes even if you take all the right precautions, a fall can still occur. If that happens, try to stay calm. If you are not able to get up easily, call for help or crawl or slide to the closest telephone to call a friend or relative, or 9-1-1.