Menu
As people get older, the possibility of damage and injuries from falling increases, as does the risk of falling. Injuries related to falling affect thousands of people every year. You probably know of someone close to you who’s fallen. Maybe you’ve fallen a time or two yourself.
At the least, falls can be inconvenient and embarrassing. At the most, they can have a catastrophic impact on long-term health. Today we’re going to look at some things you can do to avoid falling, and then we’ll go over some tips for what you should do if you fall.
While a small fall might not seem that bad, it can have long-term effects on your health. The US Department of Health and Human Services says that one in three people (65 years or old) falls annually. Falls can result in broken bones, torn ligaments, concussions, and more.
Falls can also lead to head injuries, and for people who take medication like blood thinners, this can be very dangerous. In addition, for many people, experiencing a fall (even one without injury) can lead to severe anxiety and fear of a fall happening again. This fear can, in turn, make it difficult for a person to live life as freely as they did before the accident.
Common issues that go along with natural aging in older adults can lead to a higher risk of falling. For example, if you suffer from thyroid or nerve issues, you may be more prone to falling. But other contributing factors can lead to falling, such as taking medication that leaves you feeling drowsy or less aware of your surroundings.
But not getting enough sleep or home trip hazards have also contributed to many people’s falls. Ensuring you are aware of your surroundings is vital to avoid falling.
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to stay active. Not only does this keep your body in shape so you can avoid falling, but if you do fall, your muscles won’t be as badly damaged.
Regularly doing strength and balance exercises is a great way to help prevent future falls. For example, a good strength and balance exercise you could regularly do is Tai Chi. This type of exercise will make your legs stronger and improve your balance.
The best thing you can do if you’re worried about falling is to talk to your doctor. Your doctor can check out your medication and ensure that it isn’t making you too drowsy. He or she can also offer recommendations for add-ons, like rails and guards, that you can install in your home.
Your doctor can also evaluate your risk for falling and check to see if you’re getting enough vitamin D in your diet.
The results of these tests will help determine the next steps to help prevent future falls.
Be sure to update your glasses and check your eyesight once a year. This ensures that you won’t miss any possible trip hazards when you’re walking. You can also look into getting a pair of walking glasses if you normally wear bifocals or progressive lenses.
Having a pair of walking glasses dedicated to just moving indoors and outdoors is a great way to ensure you’re able to see everything around you and won’t get tripped up.
You can prevent many falls by ensuring you get enough sleep each night so that you are adequately rested and alert the next day. If you struggle to get enough sleep, talk with your doctor about different solutions to ensure you’re well-rested.
Be sure that all trip hazards in your home are properly taken care of so you can avoid falling on them. Trip hazards can include:
You can also look into installing various safety devices to ensure your home is fall-resistant. But, again, talk to your doctor about which safety measures can be added to your home. He or she will have recommendations and can also help you find the most suitable safety devices for you.
Here are some items you can add to your home:
If you do fall, the first thing you should do is contact your doctor. Even if you feel okay, there can be hidden injuries that don’t present themselves right away. So you’ll need to be checked out to ensure that you’re healthy and good to go!
If you experience injuries, your doctor will know what to do next and will give you the best fall aftercare treatment. He or she can also help you with fall prevention methods, especially if your fall was due to drowsiness from medication or a vitamin deficiency.
These are some great tips that can help you from falling. But the best advice is that you’re aware of your surroundings. Sometimes it’s difficult, and we make mistakes, but that’s okay! Just be sure to take the proper aftercare steps if you do fall.
