By: Kayla Dewitt, DPT
Fall prevention may not seem like a lively topic, but it is important. As people age, physical changes, health conditions, and medications can make falls or losing your balance more likely. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-in-three older adults fall each year. Additionally, people who fall once are two to three times more likely to fall again.
Common injuries include broken bones, concussions, knee injuries, and cuts and bruises. Sometimes these falls can lead to severe injuries and even death.
Even with all of these risks, the fear of falling does not need to overtake your life. The good news is falls are preventable. Here are a few tips to help improve your home from fall hazards:
Remove loose throw rugs and items on the floor. Rugs and other items on the floor, like electrical cords, can create a tripping hazard. It’s best to remove those items or secure them in a way you cannot trip over them.
Illuminate dark areas. Vision is an important factor in balance, especially as you age. Darkness can increase your risk of falling. Adding night lights or motion detector lights in common areas, such as stairs, hallways, and bathrooms, can help your vision and provide extra light in areas you might have to walk when it’s dark.
Slip-proof your tub and shower. Slipping and falling in the bathroom is a common occurrence in older adults and can be very dangerous. Using non-slip mats on the bathroom floor and in the shower/tub and grab bars in the shower can help steady your balance and prevent falling.
Wear well-fitting, good supporting shoes. Avoid loose footwear like flips flops and backless shoes. These can twist or slide off of your feet and cause you to trip and fall. Loose or soft footwear can also be slippery on some surfaces like tile and wood floors. Good, supportive shoes, such as sneakers, have better traction and prevent slipping.
If you’re interested in more tips on fall prevention, including exercises to help keep you active and improve your balance, please visit OKCIC’s YouTube page.