More and more both
insurance companies and health care professionals are recognizing the perils
seniors risk when they fall. Falls are
among the leading causes of injury in people age 65 and older. They can cause everything from minor cuts and
bruises, to fractured bones to serious- and potentially fatal- head injuries.
In older people, a fall
can really be life changing. For someone
who has managed to live on their own independently, a major fall can take you
out of that situation and put you in assisted living or a nursing home.
According to one fall
prevention guide, at least one-third to one-half of the population over 65
years of age will experience a fall, which accounts for more than 90 percent of
hip fractures suffered by older adults.
The following are tips
to help prevent falls:
Keep moving by exercising
regularly. Focus on building leg
strength and improving balance. Tai chi
programs are considered beneficial.
Review all medications to
see if they are making you unsteady.
Have your eyes checked at
least once a year and update eyeglass prescriptions.
Make your home safe by reducing
tripping hazards, adding grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower and
next to the toilet, adding railings on both sides of stairways and improving
lighting.
Be aware as you age, your
reflexes might not as good.
Wear shoes that give you
more support and aren't likely to cause you to slip or fall.
When getting out of a bed
or chair, sit then stand.
To lower risk of
fractures, get adequate calcium and vitamin D from food or supplements. Get screened for osteoporosis.
Sources; Sheila Poole, CDC.gov, Atlanta Journal
Constitution
