It’s Officially Fall Time, But Don’t Fall!
The fear of falling can keep older adults from being active and enjoying life. The good news is that you can prevent many falls by making minor adjustments to your home and taking care of your health.
Here are Kathy’s Top Fall Prevention Tips:
- Make an appointment with your doctor to review:
- What medications are you taking? Make a list of your prescription and over-the-counter medications.
- Have you fallen before? Write down the details, including when, where and how you fell.
- Could your health conditions cause a fall? Let your doctor know if you feel it is more difficult to keep your balance or if you feel weak.
- Keep moving
- Physical activity can go a long way toward fall prevention. Walking, water exercise, chair yoga are good choices. Such activities reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.
- Wear sensible shoes
- Consider changing your footwear as part of your fall-prevention plan. High heels, floppy slippers and shoes with slick soles can make you slip, stumble and fall. Walking in stocking feet poses an increased risk to your safety.
- Remove home hazards
- Take a look around your home. Your living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, hallways and stairways may be filled with potenital danger. Keep your floor clutter free.
- Light up your living space
- Keep your home brightly lit to avoid tripping on objects that are hard to see.
- Use assistive devices
- Your doctor might recommend using a cane or walker to keep you steady. Other assistive devices can help, too.
- If necessary, ask your doctor for a referral to an occupational therapist. He or she can help you brainstorm other fall-prevention strategies.
If someone you love could benefit from these tips, click here to download this sheet and print it off for your loved one.
For more ideas on how to make the home safer learn more about our Nye Home Health Care Services, click here.