Falls are a leading cause of injury and disability in older adults. They occur on a regular basis, are very costly and result in an estimated three million hospital visits for elderly people each year. How to Prevent Falls – Educate Yourself, Help Your Loved Ones Fall prevention is a complex issue that involves many factors. It’s important to learn about the causes of falls, particularly if you have an older relative who is at high risk. The most effective ways to prevent falls include exercise, medication review with the doctor and home safety reviews. But it’s also important to understand why a person might fall so that you can address any specific risk factors that could contribute to a future fall. Medications, Diet and Other Lifestyle Factors that Increase Fall Risk Older adults are at greater risk of falling due to a number of lifestyle and medical factors. These may include poor dietary habits, lack of physical activity, certain medications or chronic diseases. Maintain a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep and see your health care provider for regular checkups and physical exams. If you take medicine, review it with your doctor to make sure that it doesn’t cause fatigue or other symptoms that can lead to a fall. Medical Alert Install Safety Grab Bars in Bathrooms If you have an older loved one who lives in a nursing home, ask their staff about their fall-prevention efforts and make sure that they perform regular assessments on their residents. These efforts can reduce the risk of injuries and increase a senior’s quality of life.
Medical Alert
