How to Prevent Falls
The older you get, the more dangerous falling down can be. Falling can cause serious injuries for you or a loved one and there are some ways to help with elderly fall prevention. No one wants to hear that someone they love fell down, especially if they are elderly, because it can mean more serious injuries than in a child. Not only are we going to provide some fall prevention exercises but a few tips on how to prevent falls in the future.
Talking about fall prevention may seem like a silly subject, but as you age, or your family members, it’s important to understand what you can do to help prevent falls, especially because they are the leading cause of serious injury in older adults. As you, or your loved ones, age, the fear of falling should not take over daily life thoughts. Instead, continue living normal by following a few tips on how to prevent falls.
Movement
First and foremost, fall prevention exercises can take the form of keeping yourself moving. Physical activity is the best way to keep you or your loved one not only feeling good but also can help improve strength and balance. A few fall prevention exercises that are low impact are walking, water workouts and tai chi. Not only do these fall prevention exercises build strength and balance but they can also help improve flexibility and agility. If you or your loved one has serious health ailments that prevents them from walking or getting in the water, speaking to the doctor about physical therapy can be another great option. A physical therapist can create custom exercises and activities geared to each individual and what is best for them.
Meet with The Doctor
When it comes to elderly fall prevention, speaking to a medical professional about certain conditions can help make you or your loved one more aware of certain things that could make them fall.
- Medication – Medication can cause side effects that can increase the risk of falling down. When it comes to how to prevent falls, if certain medications can have adverse side effects, the doctor may be able to change medications or give advice related to the best way to take it.
- Health Conditions – Letting your doctor know about certain disorders can also help with elderly fall prevention because certain disorders related to the eyes and ears can increase the chances of falling. This is also a chance for the doctor to give a full evaluation of muscle strength, balance and other physical structures.
Shoes
Shoes can play a large role in how to prevent falls. If you, or your loved one, is not wearing the correct type of shoes, the chances of falling can increase. It’s important to wear shoes that are sturdy, with nonskid soles that fit properly. Something as simple as changing everyday shoes can reduce the risk of slipping, stumbling and falling.
Hazards at Home
Take a look around the house, analyze what could or can be hazards for tripping and falling down. Remove boxes from the floor, electrical cords that are near walkways, move coffee tables and either remove or secure rugs to the floor with nonslip backing or double-sided tape.
Add Light
Adding more light around your home can be another way how to prevent falls. Ensuring that at all times of the day you, or your loved one, is able to see where they’re walking. This can mean installing night lights or motion detecting lights that light up when they sense movement. Leaving a flashlight by the bed can be another great option to avoid falling.
At the end of the day, making small changes in daily life can go a long way to prevent falling. If you or your loved ones have any specific concerns about falling down, follow step 2 and speak to a medical professional about your concerns.